Time for a change . . .
I’ve been in an HR role for my entire career – on purpose. I didn’t fall into the field or find it accidentally. I know several of my peers who have done that, and I love that they found the field. If you’ve been in the profession for any amount of time, you’re sure to hear or see, the perception that others have of HR. We hope that we’re viewed in a positive light. Honestly, everyone is regardless of their profession.
This past week, my friend?Erich Kurschat ?posted the first eight emojis when he typed in “HR.” This is what came up . . .
Interesting set of emojis aren’t they? When I saw them, I replied to Erich and asked, “Is that how others feel when they work with HR, or is it how HR feels about working with others?” He stated he thought the same thing.
I wasn’t kidding. The range of emotions pictured above is merely eight of the thousands we encounter on a daily basis. Heck, you may run through all of them in one interaction alone !! It concerns me that the ones that came up during the search are all negative or ambivalent. It doesn’t bode well for what we do and how others view their interactions with us in an HR capacity. It’s also disappointing that many of you reading this who work in HR would say, “Yep, that’s how it is.”
Who wants to work in a field where the descriptive imagery is negative? I can’t think of one person who would willingly run to join it. Let’s state what people are experiencing. Chances are people work with HR when there’s some situation that is already tenuous. That’s because we’ve allowed ourselves to take on that mantle. Organizations and senior leadership put us in the “call when there’s a people emergency” box and we dutifully stay there. We feel we dare not push back or rewrite the narrative because at least we have a role to fulfill.
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I’m tired of the self-defeatist mantra of HR. It’s old, worn out, and outdated. Sure, there are bad HR pros . . . just as there are in?EVERY?other profession !! We continue to wallow in the muck because we are the only profession that is intricately intertwined with humans all the time. Our actions affect the work life and personal life of others.
That is a great thing !! In fact, it is the best facet of working in HR. Without people, HR can’t exist – and it shouldn’t. The same truth is foundational for companies and it’s time we own, lead, shape and make this a reality and not an aspiration.
If we want the emojis to change when someone searches them in the future, then HR needs to be intentional in turning the perspective around. This has to occur one encounter at a time. We need to be cognizant that we are involved when things get sideways or ooky at work. Isn’t it great that we’re called in to assess, address and resolve situations? Each situation is a chance to build in a good outcome. You can show how empathy, consistency and a positive approach can work through anything constructively.
Let’s not allow the negative images to continue. Let’s step up and show through our behavior, our words, and our presence the value of human resources. It’s imperative. It’s overdue. And . . . it’s attainable. Yes, we may stumble and fail at times. Yes, we may be frustrated or frustrate others. However, it remains an incredible profession that makes a tangible impact on the lives of others.
It’s time for a change. I’m going to do all I can to change the images and I hope you’ll join in.
Multi-Industry HR Leader | JEDI | Financial Markets Enthusiast | ERP/Tech | Executive Coach | Somatic Intelligence & Embodied Leadership | Global Citizen | Amateur Bodybuilder-Natural | Champion of Fun | Keynote Speaker
2 年Steve Browne, SHRM-SCP, spot on! A majority of people's experiences with HR are decidedly negative. Much of it feels like what I dub, "20th Century HR". In the 21st Century, we have a unique opportunity to create an inflection point in the narrative with real change in how we approach the support model. Part of that narrative is a shift in verbiage amongst leadership, from "What can we get from our people?" to "What can we offer our people?" This helps us cultivate an opportunity to curate an environment where people can truly thrive, where their value is unlocked, and they feel they are positively contributing to the greater whole. We can do this!
Maximizing Professional & Organizational "IMPACT POTENTIAL" ? Helping Leaders BE & DO More ? Leadership Coaching, Change Management, Personal Brand Strategies ? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????????????!
2 年Steve, I work with numerous HR professionals and hear many of the same things that you're talking about. In addition to changing the narrative and negativity, I see this post-Covid era as a once-in-a-career opportunity for HR professionals to make an impact on their organizations and people. Yes, they're under a lot of pressure with all the changes but for those who rise to the challenges, this is an unprecedented time for them to first look inward to see who and what they are, examine their potential, and step out to create something truly brilliant! Part of the move toward positivity has to include an identity shift within the HR community. The from a support role to a leadership role starts from within and ripples out through the entire organization and community. YOU, my friend, are a catalyst and voice for change. Keep up the great work at you cause new ripples to appear!
Human Resources (HR) Professional Advising Employees and Coaching Managers Using Humor, Heart, and Common Sense!
2 年I am right there with you, Steve Browne, SHRM-SCP - I too have spent nearly my entire career in Human Resources roles ???? ?????????????? (come to think of it, didn't some smart person write a book about that ??)! I love what I do and I will continue to fight against what you referred to as the "self-defeatist mantra of HR" with every fiber of my being, emojis or no emojis. There certainly are good and bad professionals in every line of work. While we cannot control how our entire profession is viewed we can at least control our own attitudes toward, and interactions with, others. As far as I am concerned Human Resources is, has always been, and I hope always will be, a "helping profession!"
Human Resources Generalist | Bilingual HR Professional | HR Leader | Employee Engagement & Culture Advocate | Data-Driven HR Expert | Happiness Coach | Diversity & Inclusion Champion
2 年It is true and sad to hear that impression of HR. There are people who have told me that their experience has been so bad that they would not call it human resources, but inhuman resources. I chose this profession for my vocation, for the joy of helping others. And since I started, I wanted to leave my signature wherever I worked. I think I have managed to change the image that many people have of HR, and today I can say that I am a vitamin person with everyone I interact with. Vitamin people connect with the best we have, they empower our ideas, open our hearts, radiate enthusiasm and every conversation or activity with them lifts our spirits. Their joy is contagious. They have an overflowing capacity to make us smile, to turn the tables, to look at the bright side of things. I believe that all of us who work in HR should be vitamin people for others.
Organizational Performance Strategist | Strategic HR | Optimum People Operations | People First Workplace | Former HR Leader at Procter & Gamble
2 年Thanks Steve!! I agree with you 100%. It’s time to change the emotions around our interactions!