What HR really wishes for: a Christmas Reflection

Christmas has always been a time when we dare to imagine something better - when we believe, just for a moment, that magic might be possible.

Yet as this festive season approaches, we find ourselves in a world increasingly defined by division. The tensions of the governments in France, Germany, and the USA remind us daily of how fragile our social fabric has become. In such times, our workplaces shouldn't mirror these divisions - they should stand as beacons of hope, offering refuge from the storm. They should be spaces where people find happiness, health, and harmony; where everyone feels motivated to bring their best selves to work.

When we asked HR professionals about their wishes for the workplace at the Festival of Work earlier this year, a clear pattern emerged. They envision integrated people policies that balance robust decision-making with graceful approaches to conflict. Like finding the perfect gift wrapped beneath the tree, our Resolution Framework answers this call, offering a systematic yet human-centered approach to workplace challenges.

Managers, too, have their wishes. They're seeking the skills to navigate our fast-paced, hybrid world with confidence. They want to master Quality Conversations and understand effective Routes to Resolution. Meanwhile, employees dream of something seemingly simple but profound - a workplace that offers refuge and a work culture they can be proud of.

And leaders? Their wish is to build modern workplaces that deliver true value. They're seeking to weave a strong strategic narrative that contributes to their triple bottom line and will carry their organisations forward into this new era.

As we close out 2024, these wishes remind us we all share a common dream: to create workplaces where people can thrive. At TCM, we believe in making these wishes come true - not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Join Our Festive Webinar: Turning Workplace Wishes into Reality

This December, we’re showing you how to make these wishes come true. Join TCM’s expert consultants for an insightful webinar where we’ll explore three transformative solutions:

People & Culture Consulting Transform your workplace culture from the ground up, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

The Mediation Company Replace conflict with conversation, building stronger workplace relationships through expert mediation.

The Resolution Framework? Say goodbye to traditional grievance procedures and hello to a more compassionate, effective approach to workplace issues.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to create a more inclusive, empathetic workplace culture
• Practical strategies for early conflict resolution
• Ways to transform HR from reactive to proactive
• Methods to enhance workplace wellbeing and engagement
• Steps to implement a human-centered approach to workplace issues

Don’t let another year pass with wishes unfulfilled. Join us to discover how to transform your workplace in 2025!

??Register your free place

Webinar on-demand: People & Culture

In this recent webinar for Business Culture Awards & Business Culture Connected , I explored the rapid transformation of traditional HR into a forward-thinking people and culture function.

We examined the pioneering People and Culture Operating Model as a blueprint for purpose-driven, values-based workplace culture, and also in the context of the panellists’ public and private sector organisations.

Watch the recording for actionable insights into how practically applying the model within diverse organisations and sectors can not only transform employee engagement and satisfaction but drive measurable business results!

??Watch the webinar recording

TCM Reading Corner

In his groundbreaking book "Start with Why," Simon Sinek reveals a profound truth that resonates with workplace transformation: people don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it. When we look at the workplace wishes gathered from HR professionals, leaders and employees, we're not just seeing a list of improvements - we're seeing their 'why'. Each wish, from "true transparency" to "a culture to be proud of," represents a deeper purpose that drives people to seek positive change in their organisations. These aren't just operational tweaks; they're expressions of fundamental human needs for belonging, purpose and meaningful work.

This alignment between organisational purpose and human values is exactly what Sinek advocates for. When organisations move beyond the 'what' (policies and procedures) and the 'how' (frameworks and systems) to understand their 'why' (creating harmonious workplaces where people can thrive), they tap into something transformative.

??You can get the book here

That's all for now! Thanks for reading and if you have questions on the above, feel free to comment or message me directly. Happy December!

David