Your Perception = Your Reality

Twenty to thirty years ago, the office of Human Resources was primarily viewed as the office for processing paperwork, hiring/firing, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and conducting trainings. Today, the office of Human Resources is viewed as a strategic partner in driving employee engagement, mentoring & coaching employees, integrating technological advances in HRIS systems and implementing processes that fold into today’s modern workforce. Current job seekers are intentionally seeking out employers who create sustainable cultures that foster growth and take social responsibility to heart. These job seekers desire to work for organizations that invest in them, provide consistent & effective feedback (that fosters growth) and creates opportunity for them form a vision of their future. Employers, in turn, are being challenged to walk out their mission and values in a more tangible way. However, what happens with the best made efforts to shift culture to meet the needs of the current workforce falls short?

As an HR professional and coach, I believe that employers today have a unique opportunity discover and create innovative ways to engage (or in some cases re-engage) their employees. For organizations that struggle with an ineffective culture, it is time to evaluate the perceptions have led to the current culture state. By taking a step back and viewing the current culture state from a higher perspective, one will realize that it is your perception that determines your reality. In other words, it is the thoughts you think about your employer, your co-workers and your position that determines the viewpoint (or reality) you see play out in your day to day job. The best way to change your perceived reality of an organization is to evaluate what lens you are currently viewing your work through. I encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:

·     Do I view my organization through a positive or negative lens? 

·     What factors have contributed to this perception?

·     Is this perception felt by all or just a small group?

Healing of false perceptions is an important step to create space for a new perception to be formed and culture shift to occur. In my experience, when one mindset is realigned and refocused, then that shift creates a ripple effect that can be felt throughout the organization. It is important to note that a culture change does not happen overnight. However, the shift in culture can come quicker when more are willing to evaluate their own mindsets to drive synergy across all departments.