Tag: Global HR

Remember to Play !!

Do you remember when you were a kid ?? I can remember pretty far back. My earliest solid memories were from when I was five years old and in kindergarten. It was my first experience with school, and it had the perfect mix of learning and play. Heck, even the lessons were laced with fun activities. Throw in daily recess, and you have sheer perfection. There was structure, but it never felt confining.

Fast forward fifty-six years to the present day. As a “mature” adult, you’re not expected to play anymore. Sure, it’s acceptable to be a fan of multiple sports teams. But, that’s the extent of what people feel still falls in the realm of adult behavior. If you participate in sports recreationally, you aren’t pressing the boundaries too much. Other adults will support your efforts while also bemoaning how their body can no longer perform like it used to.

Board games are also deemed okay if there is a family or neighborhood gathering. They can help pass the time if you also have enough to eat and drink. These games must be limited to short bursts of time because you don’t want people to slip into that younger state where they used to laugh and act more carefree. How awful would that be ??

It saddens me that the art of play has been replaced with the myth of being a responsible adult. When did “responsible” become defined as reserved, demure, and lifeless? Why did we get lulled into a state of stress, frustration, anger, and disappointment while calling that success? A telltale comment I received after giving a presentation at an HR conference helped prod me to respond. The person stated that my style was sophomoric. As a fellow senior HR practitioner, he didn’t know why I spent time using toys for my examples instead of concrete business practices. He was also confused as to why I spent the majority of the presentation focusing on people. He wanted to focus on business !! That was far more important. I venture to say, this person doesn’t play.

I play. Always have. Always will.

My wife Debbie and I co-host an over-50s group at our church. She does an amazing job organizing activities for each night, and I am the ringleader who makes things come to life. Whenever we meet, we incorporate play, arts & crafts, friendly competition, and storytelling. We get a huge turnout of people, and I’ve heard them share with others how much fun they had for a few hours. You see, they forgot how to play . . . but they still know how.

Recently, I also had an opportunity to speak to a class full of 5th graders on the importance of being good. I brought my props (toys), which caused them to squeal when I used them. I also challenged them to a fierce smiling contest where everyone had to hold their smiles with teeth bared and not laugh or giggle. It was spectacular !!

I play at work as well. I go out of my way to connect with as many team members as I can daily. I ask how they’re doing and respond in a radical fashion by staying to listen regardless of what they share. I also regale them with stories from my weekend or encounters with team members from other locations.

Here’s what I know . . .

People who play enjoy themselves more than those who don’t. Laughter is healthy for you and helps you retain information. Not taking yourself seriously reduces stress, frustration, and anger.

I’m sure there are many who feel this approach isn’t professional or befitting of someone who is a Chief People Officer. That’s cool. I’m good with it. I know the relationships I have bring the best out in others because I play.

This week, as we take a break to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, pause and reflect. Are you content or wound tightly? Are you consumed with worry, or are you eager to see what lies ahead? I could keep going, but I think you get the gist.

I hope your time with friends and family is meaningful, full, and memorable. Take time to be thankful and step out a bit to play. It could be a great start to a new set of habits and approach to life, personally and professionally !!

It Is Better to Give . . .

. . . to bless those who receive.

I know that’s not the exact quote, but I’d like you to hang with me for a few minutes to explain.

Next year, I will be starting my 40th year as an HR practitioner !! It is so hard to grasp this reality. My career started off with a flair, followed by a failure. I was so fortunate to begin my HR journey at a Fortune 100 company. They’ve been successful for almost 190 years. The challenge of my first role didn’t involve what I did; it was in regards to the culture. Now, you have to remember that when I started in HR, no one talked about company culture. No one. You were expected to go to work and accept things as they were. You would have never thought of questioning any aspect of a company’s culture. It was unheard of.

I learned the hard way that since I didn’t do well with conformity, I wasn’t long for this role. After 18 months, when I was presented with an opportunity to leave Cincinnati and move to a rural place and work in a manufacturing company, I chose to leave instead. Did I mention that I was young, arrogant, and narrow-minded at this time in my career ?? Did I also note that I didn’t have another job when I left my first HR job ??

I was sure that people would want to hire me right away because of my education and the experience I had just earned. I mean, it was an entire 18 months !! I was clueless . . . and unemployed. I jumped into the job search process right away. These were the days before the internet existed. I was unsuccessful. I had no nibbles or interviews. The time of my transition only expanded. It started to get pretty stark. I asked my parents for a loan so I could maintain my apartment and pay my bills. I took a part-time job with friends doing landscaping at minimum wage. And, my girlfriend at the time (who has now been my wife for 36 years), stood by my side and bought me groceries. I couldn’t afford even the basics.

To say this experience was humbling doesn’t adequately describe what I was going through. I never thought that I’d be in a place where I would lose everything and not be able to get out of it. I was so grateful for those who gave to help me. I’ve never taken it for granted since.

I was able to find another HR job after 13 months. 13 months. My view on life and work had forever been altered . . . for the better. I now appreciated that I had the ability to work. I was more mindful and thankful for those I worked with. I understood that life could change in a moment, regardless of who you were or what job you held.

Back to today . . .

People are feeling the need to be givers at this time. The challenges in the economy and the recent government shutdown have touched people’s hearts. Giving has grown dramatically. People are willing to give what they can to help others in need. It’s just like when I was in need myself.

Yesterday, I was participating at a Food Drive for a local mission. I’m involved with them as a Board Member, and my wife volunteers there. I only mention this because of an encounter I had at the event. I saw a familiar face as we were talking to people coming to Kroger. He said, “Hey, I see you at the door greeting me and my wife at church !!” I said, “I’m Steve, and you are?” He replied, “I’m Doug. My wife Joyce and I have been coming for a few months. I’d like to do something a little more than this, but I won’t have everything purchased by the time you wrap up here today.”

“No problem,” I stated. “Just bring whatever you’d like to church tomorrow, and I’ll take it from there. I’ll be going to the Mission on Monday afternoon for a meeting, and I’d be glad to take your donation there.” Sunday came, and Doug met me at the door. “Can I put what we got in your car?” he asked.

“Absolutely, I’ll meet you in the back parking lot.” He pulled around, and my jaw hit the ground when I saw what he wanted to give me. The amount of food he and his wife had purchased filled the back of my car !! I thanked Doug profusely and mentioned that what they gave would bless those who would receive it.

This isn’t about how much you do or don’t give. I want to encourage you, though, to be someone who gives regularly. You pick where you want your giving to go. This isn’t only about material items either. We all can give our time as volunteers, people who can serve on boards, or people who can lend a hand to someone in need. I learned first hand about how other’s willingness to give helped me at the time I most needed it.

Your giving will do the same. Take a moment and see what you can do. Choose to move forward and not be idle. Whatever you can do will matter. It is better to give . . .

Slow Down

People are constantly in a hurry. Constantly. On top of that, people are rarely disconnected from a screen of some sort. (I know you’re using a screen to read this, but hang with me.)

This constant pressure to be moving no matter the cost is exhausting !! People are edgy and ready to snap at the drop of a misconceived phrase someone asks looking for clarification. The ironic thing about this incessant pace is that few object to it. We’ve convinced ourselves that it’s the norm. Even if you take a day off, you fill it immediately with as much activity as you possibly can. This concerns me for several reasons.

First of all, we’ve believed the lie that if we DON’T hurry, then something is sure to be forgotten, overlooked or incomplete. Also, we’ve taken on this hidden peer pressure (also a lie) that if we don’t hurry, someone else will and then they’ll get ahead of us. The third lie we tell ourselves is that if WE don’t do everything ourselves, then the end product is certain to be shoddy. No one does work as good as we do !!

Ugh. It’s killing us. We need to all SLOW DOWN.

My favorite season is Fall. In the Midwest, the temperature drops, and our trees show their true colors. This year in Cincinnati, Ohio, we went from having a surplus of rain to a full-on drought. The trees stayed green. We were getting concerned because we thought this meant that one weekend they’d jump from green to falling to the ground without sharing their autumnal glory. Here’s what we forget. Trees don’t hurry. They do what is needed when it is needed and not a moment before.

Last weekend we received a good soaker of a rain, which evidently turned on the internal mechanism for transformation. A week later we’re surrounded by vibrant reds, yellows and oranges !! All at the right time.

We can learn from these magnificent organisms. They still produce, grow, reach new boundaries, and evolve while being measured. There’s no sense of hurriedness. Isn’t it time that we stopped having company cultures based on a constant drive, unrealistic activity, and production at all costs ?? It is. In fact, it’s overdue. People don’t realize that this “production first” mentality is not feasible or sustainable. Instead of understanding that this breakneck pace is the cause of much of our rework, we invent new procedures that are sure to fix everything. It doesn’t and it won’t.

I’ve rarely been a person who feels rushed or pressed – personally or professionally. Sure, I get anxious about deadlines and making sure to be accountable. However, I’m measured. I slow down on purpose. I know this is frustrating to the work world of doers. If others aren’t sprinting to the point of exhaustion like they are, then they view others as not really working. Do you see the irony in this? Speed and activity are what are valued. Thoughtful, paced, intentional work is viewed primarily as slow. The results are the same, if not better, being measured. Please don’t mistake being measured as inactivity; far from it.

In order to break from the norm of running, running, running, you have to have a more disciplined approach to your day. It’s not a complicated system. In fact, simple is better and simple works. Let me give you an example . . .

Every morning before I start my commute, I walk out to my driveway and take a deep breath regardless of the weather. As I exhale, I say, ” It’s a good day for a good day.” You know what . . . it turns out that more often than not. This week, stop hurrying. Slow down. Take in everything around you. Trust me. When you do, your true colors will start showing as well !!

Make the Call !!

A few weeks ago, I received a message on LinkedIn from an HR peer. We had been connected for a few years since she attended the SHRM Annual Conference in Chicago. She was kind enough to attend one of my sessions and introduced herself at a book signing I did.

All of that is wonderful in itself. Her message tugged at my heart because she told me that she and her co-worker were getting burned out. She wondered if I had any ideas that could help her get inspired. She explained that they were just worn out.

Her name is Lauren, and she’s been connected to the HR Net forum since she attended the conference. I think it took courage to reach out to someone you barely knew to ask for help. So, I decided to call her.

I didn’t feel a return message on LinkedIn would do the trick. We set up a time, and I gave her a ring while on my commute home. I have a daily drive of 45 minutes to an hour to get to my office from my house.

When Lauren picked up, we talked as if we had known each other for years. I learned about her family because she was in the process of dropping off her son for soccer practice. I mentioned she didn’t have to chat if she was doing that. She replied that she didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I was humbled and a bit perplexed by that. I felt I was putting her out. He made it to practice easily, and we continued to talk.

We were able to talk the entire commute. I did give her ideas to consider, but mostly I wanted to encourage her. As a fellow HR practitioner, I understand that the work we do can be challenging, overwhelming, and draining. People are a mix of messy and wonderful (just like us). At times, HR can threaten to crush you if you allow the darkness to encompass you. I explained to Lauren that this conversation was the best possible use of my time. It made my day !! I also shared that I’d continue to check in with her to make sure she knew she had someone in her corner.

Too many HR people try to do the good work we do as if they’re on an island. That may be true inside your company, but it isn’t true in general. As humans, we were not designed to be alone. We are meant to be connected and together. I know that Lauren’s story and situation are far too common in our profession. The difference is that she took a chance to reach out.

When I got home, she texted me pictures of her kids, their Halloween costumes, and her wife. I was moved that she took my word on how important it is for us to make human connections with HR peers. Before I wrote this, I checked in to see how she was doing and asked if I could share our conversation. She gave me an update on how some things are getting better while she’s working on other things at the same time. She was geeked that I was going to share this.

This week, reach out. Give someone a call. Make sure you have at least one person in your corner. Trust me. When you do, you’ll see how much it makes your day !!

Peeled Away !!

One of the best aspects of Fall is that the weather breaks. It is cooler each day, and that makes it more inviting to do one of my favorite things – working out in my yard. Seriously. I love getting outside and getting projects done. The sun is no longer beating down on you, and this makes it easier to accomplish things.

This Saturday, after a full breakfast to prep for the flurry of activity, I headed to the hardware store to get some supplies. We have a split rail fence that borders our backyard, and it needed some replacement pieces. I usually have to replace three to four rails a year. I also picked up eight bags of topsoil to use in repositioning and straightening out some landscape border walls.

When I got back home, I grabbed some tools, my Shokz headphones, found a Spotify playlist, and headed out to the yard. After getting the new rails in place and taking the old ones back to my brush pile, I changed course. I needed to get some bulbs in the ground so they’d take root and give us some daffodils in the spring. You always think projects will take mere minutes to complete, but they rarely do. Time seems to expand exponentially, doesn’t it ??

That was okay. I removed some overgrown Russian Sage plants and a conglomeration of gladiolas to make room for the new bulbs. Once all this was done, I hit a wall. You see, in my mind, I’m still this 20-year-old. I’m far from it !! I have the best intentions of working constantly throughout the day, but Father Time is winning. I wasn’t dissuaded. It just meant another course change.

For months, I had noticed our siding on our 2nd floor turn a green hue with moss and mildew. Earlier in the summer, our daughter was visiting for the weekend, and she helped me maneuver our extension ladder so I could use our pressure washer to remove the grime. We were able to address the front of the house, but didn’t have a chance to get to the west side. I decided that removing this green goo was my next project for the day. I asked my wife to come out to spot me, watch the ladder, and move the pressure washer if needed.

I lumbered up the ladder with the washer wand in hand. I took my position with assured footing. Then, I started peeling the green growth off the siding line by line and section by section. It was so pleasing to see the natural color of the siding reappear. As I was up on the roof, I turned around and saw our chimney. You could no longer tell it was constructed of beautiful red brick. The coating that encompassed it was dark green, black, and actual moss was growing, trying to swallow it.

I couldn’t allow the brick to remain covered in slime. I turned the pressure washer around and opened fire. It took several minutes to peel back the layers. It was worth it though !! Years of gunk had given it a completely different appearance. I imagined the brick giving a healthy sigh, knowing it was being restored to its initial state.

The buildup was so great that when it broke off the chimney’s surface, it flew in all directions. Much of it was cast backwards on me. I was covered from head to toe in bits of green and black. I ended up being the filthy one. I didn’t care. Getting the siding and chimney clean gave me pleasure.

This peeling back of layers of all that had grown reminded me of employees. Stick with me here. You see, most people at work take on bits of accumulation based on working in environments that primarily focus on the negative. They can’t shake it off. It just keeps piling on and leads to discoloration. People can still perform, but it’s hard to see the talented person who is still present below the layers and layers of buildup.

What’s even more concerning, we notice something’s not right while the piling on continues. It’s time that HR gets out their pressure washers !! We need to carefully and empathetically peel back the layers of negativity that encompass our people. We also need to set the stage that we’ll no longer foster or tolerate working from the position of “what’s wrong.” Once the surfaces of our people are clean, we need to come at work, problems, and projects from a constructive position. Figure out the opportunities and approaches to move things forward. Assess where things stand, and then unleash the inherent talent of our people.

You’re going to get sprayback when you do this. It will take patience to keep clearing everything away. You may get tired and even want to stop the effort. Press on. Your great people deserve it. Take the time to reveal their talents once again !!

A Handwritten Note . . .

A few weeks ago, I joined a Zoom call on a Sunday night. Before you jump to conclusions about work/life balance, give me a second to give you some context.

The call was set up to celebrate one of our peers, Mary Williams, who was retiring. It broke into my weekend, but there’s nothing wrong about that interruption at all. I was geeked when I got the invitation to spend some time to thank and encourage Mary for how she’s touched my life and the lives of countless others. Mary is a rare human who takes an immediate interest in YOU the moment you meet her. She’s had a fulfilling and successful career as an HR practitioner ending her time with the appropriate title – Head of People at her company.

Mary and I have been friends for years through volunteer leadership roles, social media connections, and especially as “fierce” rivals as to who was the #1 fan of the exceptional HR Social Hour podcast. (Mary was, and remains, #1 and I’m a reluctant #2 – although I’ll keep pressing.)

One of the many gifts Mary possesses is that her personal touch in the lives of others is expressed in a way that has become a lost art form. She sends you cards. Cards that are handwritten. Cards that bring a smile and also heartfelt tears at the same time. If you get a card from Mary, you can hear her voice as you read the thoughtful note she’s penned inside – just for you. Every person who was able to join the Zoom call shared how Mary’s cards and handwritten notes personally meant the world to them.

The card above is what she sent me, and I’m sure others, who were on the Zoom call that Sunday night. She was thanking me for taking the time to be there for her. She’s incredible and leads me to this thought . . .

Are you giving a personal touch in how you practice HR ?? If not, why not? I know we may have apprehension if we “put ourselves out there,” but I have never found that to be too big of a risk. People want to know they matter and that they’re cared for. It can’t be a thought. It deserves an action.

We have pulled back so far from making our profession human. I think this diminishes our impact and relevance. It honestly doesn’t matter how quickly you can process a spreadsheet or write another policy. That’s going to continue with ease. People are yearning for a personal touch from you. I feel that more and more, our ability to do this naturally will be the key as to whether companies should even have an internal HR function.

I’m not kidding. I feel we’re at a critical crossroads. If we don’t bring the human element to life in our companies on a daily basis, the majority of the rest of our jobs could be outsourced. It’s that essential. Stop being someone who is only technically astute. Give that same attention to being human yourself. Then, take time intentionally to connect with the people around you. Be a people-first HR leader all the time !!

This week – send a card, give someone a handwritten note, make an actual phone call, or take time to visit someone in person. Be the kind of human Mary is and see what a lasting impact you’ll make.

Dignity

This weekend, my wife and I stepped into a world that is far different than our own. Another couple invited us to join them and their adult son to venture to downtown Cincinnati with the Broken Bus Ministry. It was a day I won’t forget.

We started by learning what we were going to do and who we were going to serve. Michelle, the founder of the ministry, gave us a quick orientation to let us know what we would encounter and how to be prepared. The bus is packed from floor to ceiling with a mix of clothing, backpacks, shoes, snacks, supplies, and miscellaneous items that could be used as needed.

The description of the bus being broken is accurate !! It’s over 30 years old, and the engine sputters and coughs as you head down the road. The air conditioning strains to work, and the shocks and suspension are suspect. It’s perfection !! We headed to meet people who are experiencing homelessness. The goal of the day was to check in, provide a meal, put together a sack of snacks and drinks, and assess if the people we met needed other basic life items.

Michelle has been taking volunteers to serve this community every week for the past 14 years !! She is a volunteer as well. Many of the people she serves know her by name and wait eagerly for the bus to arrive. Who we met and what we saw was a simple reminder to be grateful for things we take for granted, such as shelter, food, and safety. After a few stops, we got our bearings and joined in the efforts to serve. My wife manned the biscuits and gravy station, and Trevor, the son of our friends, helped with clothing and snacks. Michelle, Amy and John, and I got out of the bus to talk with the people we saw. We invited them to come get a meal.

It was humbling to see people crawl from their makeshift “homes” to get a container of warm food and other items. The best part of our time serving was the conversations we had. I hadn’t expected this. My friend John noted that when we got back into the bus to move to the next stop, the most obvious and salient thing. “Steve, the number one thing all of these people want is to be treated with dignity.” I felt tears well up in my eyes and agreed.

It’s easy to judge, make statements, and ignore people. It is. The slightest difference causes us to decide the value of the people we encounter. It’s not fair. It’s not necessary. But, it’s 100% human.

During my day downtown, this smacked me firmly between the eyes. I gathered myself, and soon found myself sharing stories, telling jokes, laughing with, and listening to the stories of these folks who were facing insurmountable challenges to make it through the next day. We were in the midst of those who live on the fringe because of choices, life circumstances, drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. In no way did it diminish the fact that they deserved to be treated with grace, care, and respect. It’s not something they regularly receive from the majority of people who move around them.

What would our world look like if we treated each other consistently with dignity? How would workplaces and cultures be shaped if we saw the best in everyone and what they had to offer? How would your day go if you took the time to acknowledge, greet, and encourage others regardless of their circumstances?

I know that my viewpoint was broadened this weekend, and I don’t want to return to a place that ever looks at someone as “less than” me. One of the people we met was so conversational, and he asked if he could share a word with us. We all eagerly said that we’d love to hear what he had to say.

“To quote the great band Cinderella (an epic 80s Heavy Metal Hairband), ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.’ I had everything. A home, a job, loving parents, and more. Never take it for granted. Tell the people in your life you love them. Don’t just show them, tell them. I had those things.”

His wisdom will stay with me for the rest of my life. I won’t look past people again. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Everyone. I hope you’ll join me. Together, this simple act could reshape the world.

Step By Step

It’s interesting as you age. Every movement is accompanied by some crack or squeak. There are sporadic shots of pain for no apparent reason. Your brain communicates messages of movement, but your body is hesitant to respond. It takes a concentrated effort to make any advance. This can be disheartening because you’re eager to be as active as you were when you were younger, but time is winning.

I’ve received advice from my primary physician for years to be more active. It is logical and reasonable encouragement. I know that being more active, eating better, and looking out for my overall health makes sense. The pull of inertia, tiredness, and mental exhaustion often causes me to remain motionless even though I know better. You know the saying – “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” That’s where I found myself.

Enter Wags, our grand dog. I’ve written about him often because he’s been such a bright spot in our lives. A few weeks ago, my wife and daughter went on a mother/daughter vacation to Tybee Island and Savannah, Georgia. That meant that Wags and I were brought together. It was magnificent !! You see, Wags is a bundle of frenetic energy while also being an incredibly well-behaved companion. He will patiently wait at the front window, longing for your return. When you hit the door . . . it’s on. He wants to give you ALL of his attention, and he expects ALL of yours !! It’s a fair exchange.

We spent hours playing in our backyard. He would chase an object, bring it back, and then refuse to give it up. Playing keep away was almost as fun as chasing. I think if he could laugh or make a snarky comment about my efforts to retrieve the ball, frisbee, or giant egg, he would. Playing, I soon found out, was just the warm-up lap. He expected me to get out his leash and harness so we could go for an extended walk. Not kidding. If we went a mile, he’d look back as if to say, “Good start. Let’s keep going.”

Each day, we averaged two to three miles per walk. We’d both collapse after getting back, and it felt great !! He never felt the pull of staying put. He needed to move and refused to do it alone. It was exactly the inspiration I required. I looked forward to our daily treks. I had him over the Labor Day holiday weekend, so I chose to drive out to a State Park to up our game. We hiked for miles on trails and through creek beds. I noticed that each day we were active, I felt better. Yes, my creaks and cracks were still present, but I didn’t become discouraged. The soreness meant I was using muscles that were designed to move and not be dormant.

After Wags returned home with Melanie, I had a choice. I could easily return to the world of being sedentary, or I could keep moving one step at a time. I began a nightly routine after work of walking. I didn’t let the excuse of the weather or the reality of a challenging day stop me. I decided to walk anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour through my neighborhood. It’s been just what I needed. I was finally following my doctor’s instructions. Finally.

Where are you stuck? What is keeping you in place, unable to move? We all have areas like this. All of us. Here’s what I know. If we aren’t healthy ourselves, we can’t help others be healthy. It’s contradictory. Let me encourage you not to fall into the trap of thinking about giant shifts and impossible leaps. Take one step. Just one. Then the next one. See where you find yourself going !!

You’re On the Team !!

My life is surreal. Seriously.

For the past several years, I’ve been fortunate to give presentations around the country. I get to live out a dream I’ve had to be a public speaker. Each time I am asked to speak, I’m both geeked and humbled. Humbled because I never want to take any opportunity for granted. Geeked because I get amped up any time I get to meet my HR peers.

This week, I was invited to speak at the HR Conference for Major League Soccer (MLS) !! Our local team, FC Cincinnati, was the host location. It was so cool to have the soccer stadium as the environment where I gave my presentation. The room was filled with HR practitioners from each of the 30 MLS teams as well as folks from their corporate office. I was given 90 minutes to fill to kick off their event.

We had a great time laughing, sharing stories, and bonding as HR peers. I gathered all of my office toys, talked with a few of the attendees, and headed back to my office. After the experience, I opened a small, branded FCC bag to look at what was inside. I was giddy because I knew in advance what was there.

When the HR team asked if I’d consider being a speaker, they asked if there was anything I’d like. I took a chance and made the ask. I wondered if I could get a personalized FCC jersey. I was stunned when they asked what size, what color, and what number I’d like !! I quickly stated I’d love a blue jersey with my fave number 31. It was the number I wore all the years I played basketball 40+ years ago.

When I pulled the jersey from the bag, I was overjoyed !! It was an example of “being” on the team. It also made me contemplate what it means to be on a team of human resources professionals.

When I began my career, I was an HR department of one for my first several years in the field. I never understood or knew that there were other HR pros anywhere close to where I worked. I made a conscious choice to step out and explore the possibility that others did what I did. It was the best personal and professional choice I made. I soon found out that there were countless others practicing HR across the globe.

This reality excited me, and I assumed it would excite others just as much. I was mistaken. You see, I feel that the HR profession is still far too isolated and fragmented when it doesn’t have to be. I think this is because so many of my peers continue to keep their heads down, buried in the work for which they’re responsible. I appreciate people being diligent. You should be. However, there’s no reason to be disconnected from others who also practice HR.

We’re all on the team !!

Jeff Berding, the co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, stated something that rang true with me and those in the room. He stated that there is no better time for HR to lead and thrive because we’re the profession that cares for people. He’s right. It’s always been the case. It’s just a matter of whether we see ourselves in this same light.

You aren’t alone. I feel tied and connected to the 50+ people I met on Friday. I extended an invitation for them to connect with me on purpose. I ended my presentation with this encouragement.

“Don’t leave this conference only having talked with the people you already know and work with. Reach out to the others here. Get to know them. You’re all on the same team. The team of HR !!”

This week, make sure to know I consider you on my team if you are an HR peer, regardless of where you work, where you live, or what industry you support. Teams pull together. Teams lift each other up, and most importantly, teams thrive !! Get your jersey. Put it on. Take the field. People are waiting for us !!

Borders

This past weekend brought a welcome break in our weather. The summer was sweltering, which made it challenging to do much work outside. Since we had some fall-like weather, I decided to get out in the yard and finish a project that I had started over a year earlier.

Our daughter had something unique piled up in her garage. The back left corner of it was filled with landscape pavers. The stack was giant not only because they were a foot wide each, they also rose four feet above the floor. She was barely able to get her car in the garage without getting too close to the sprawling mass. The person who had owned the house two owners before her had used them all over the yard. Now they were just sitting there gathering spiderwebs and grime.

I asked her if I could take them to our house and use them to edge our beds. She thought that would be a great use of them, and told me she’d bring a load back home the next time she visited. When she came a few weeks later, I was concerned because the weight of the pavers really showed in the back of her SUV. Her wheels were struggling because she tried to bring so many. The repurposing of the pavers was wonderful. We had wanted to give the beds in the back and right side of our house more definition.

We used all of the pavers she brought in the first trip quickly. We only had enough to do the bed in the backyard that bordered our back patio. We thought we would have had more than enough to finish everything. I suggested we measure the next bed, and told her that I’d drive up to get the next load because my car was older. With everyone’s schedule in our two families, more time passed before I could get more pavers. I stacked them on my front patio to be used for the side yard.

The seasons changed, and I couldn’t get out to create the border I had wanted to finish quickly. That brings us back to this weekend. With a gap in time and nothing on my schedule, it was overdue to finish the landscape border. It took all afternoon, but it was worth it !! I had to work the edge to make sure the grass was back far enough to set the pavers in place. I added topsoil under each paver to make sure they would be level as I laid them end to end. Having a dedicated space for our flowers and shrubs to thrive was just what I was hoping for.

Borders remind me of how we should look at the roles and responsibilities we have for employees within our companies. I believe in this approach versus the traditional job descriptions we’ve used for decades. Most job descriptions are nothing more than a list of tasks we develop to justify the jobs people fill. They rarely describe what and how people truly do their daily work.

Writing something that provides people with parameters for them to work is essential. If people have enough room to grow, develop, and perform, then they’ll be able to thrive, just like our plants. Isn’t that better? If people had the latitude to stretch, use their strengths, and be creative in a broader system and environment, think how much better our companies would be.

This week, take a lesson from my landscaping adventure. Get rid of the roots and uneven ground your people have been given with lists of tasks only meant to confine. Instead, level things out and give them a border that allows them to be the talented people they’ve always been !!