Tag Archives: leadership

Communication Is Still #1 Needed Skill

Years ago, I had the privilege of attending an IT conference in Pensacola with my spouse. At the time I wasn’t a presenter, but just a lowly HR generalist. I struck up a conversation with a young IT guy who was just starting out in management and we were casually conversing about our jobs. HeContinue reading “Communication Is Still #1 Needed Skill”

Imagine HR Unleashed

Dear HR speakers, presenters, “gurus,” “thought-leaders,” Look, I get it. We’re the worst. We focus too much on transactional HR. We have difficulty thinking “outside the box.” We don’t push the envelope. We aren’t creative. We have trouble being the HR you want to see. But “Sally HR” has become a trope that’s overused regardlessContinue reading “Imagine HR Unleashed”

Just Say No to Policy Dependence

“Do we have a policy on…?”“Can you pull a job description for…?”“I have a bunch of employees who….” These are comments I hear from managers on a daily if not weekly basis. And in my years in HR when I’ve heard them I’ve learned to ask questions to get to the root of the issue.Continue reading “Just Say No to Policy Dependence”

Gravitas.

I don’t expect perfection from my co-workers, employees, managers, etc.I don’t expect days free from stress.I don’t expect all work to get done accurately.I don’t expect work to even get done on time. I do expect composure.In fact, I demand it. Most of the situations I deal with in employee relations distill themselves down toContinue reading “Gravitas.”

"Hey, How’s it Going?"

I have a great boss right now.  It’s still early on to really determine as to whether or not this is a long-term fact or if I’m still in the honeymoon phase with the whole idea, but there’s one thing in particular that I like about my boss.  Every once and a while, at leastContinue reading “"Hey, How’s it Going?"”

SpongeBob and The Human Resources Guy

How employee’s view HR I recently caught an episode of SpongeBob that made me giggle. “Selling Out” is an episode where Mr. Krabs sells the Krusty Krabs to a franchise.  They are a big corporation and make a bunch of big changes and hilarity ensues.  Watch a clip here. First, I love SpongeBob.  In factContinue reading “SpongeBob and The Human Resources Guy”

Performance Evaluations, You’re Doing Them Wrong

So I’m not a huge fan of performance evaluations.  I’m kind of on the fence about the entire practice. In some environments that are able to support it, I think it’s easier just getting rid of them and create a “constant feedback” but that takes training, time, investment, and continual effort from everyone.  Whereas, the traditional performance evaluation methodContinue reading “Performance Evaluations, You’re Doing Them Wrong”

Sick and Tired (Guest Post by Jay Kuhns)

I must be coming down with something. That has to be it. What else could explain that sinking feeling in my stomach when I think about…well…you know. Maybe I’m not sick. Perhaps I’m just worn out…overextended…tired. Yes, I’m tired. There’s really no other explanation for…well..you know. Or maybe you don’t. What’s Going On Normally I feelContinue reading “Sick and Tired (Guest Post by Jay Kuhns)”

A Balanced HR Partnership Can Impact the Bottom-Line (Guest post by Chris Ponder)

Flip to any HR site, blog, or article and you are likely to see someone discussing the role HR should play in today’s workplace. The discussion of HR’s role in the organization has been the talk for over a decade with HR department reviews ranging from driving the business forward to destructive, compliance police.In theContinue reading “A Balanced HR Partnership Can Impact the Bottom-Line (Guest post by Chris Ponder)”