Conflicts, Feuds and the Wisdom of the Swiss

If you have employees, there's bound to be conflict and if you have a family, there is bound to be a feud. When this occurs for you, join me in savoring the wisdom <and neutrality> of the Swiss.

I may look calm, cool and collected on the outside but know that I am usually working like crazy to keep my own emotions and reactions in check on the inside. The last thing an already emotional situation needs is another person looking to establish a position.

It's hard work to fight, it's draining and in the end - no one really wins. Having been there and done that before, I now strive to be part of the solution and not exacerbate the problem.

You can do the same by not judging, keeping an open mind, and keeping your dog out of the fight

So much easier said than done, especially when you are not feeling personally attacked, your hot buttons were not pressed or the hand you put out was not just bitten by that dirty dog.

Be in my space when that happens to me and you'll get a glimpse of what really goes down behind the carefully constructed exterior.

Just not in the mood for neutrality, taking the high road or being the voice of reason?

The Swiss have a remedy for that too . . . chocolate, wine and colorful hang gliders sailing from the mountain tops over the picturesque countryside - and their very own Evil Hr Lady.

I'm heading there now.

Thriving and Surviving Today

The future of HR is collaboration, communication, and credbility. It's in the hands of HR professsionals, business leaders and communities of well-intentioned, idea-driven, and thought provoking people. On most days, the future of HR is an energizing, possibility generating conversation.

On other days, the future of HR is not much more than me making it to the end of the day, project or action with my sanity intact.

From employees expressing their displeasure in words that send an HR pro to Dictionary.com, to suspenses looming like the dementors of Azkaban and staff members not playing nice, HR leadership is not for the faint of heart.

For those in the game, it goes with the territory and each instance is an opportunity shine. Before I start sounding like I've got my head in the clouds, let me stop and say, it's all how you play the game. Call it perspective, priorities or emotional maturity - it's still the same.

The madness is there. It's yours. Manage it.

Right there alongside my Black's Law Dictionary, Codes of Federal Regulations and employee relations resources galore, I have a few other tools of my trade. You won't find these at a SHRM Conference but let me tell you, they are just what the doctor ordered when the tensions rise and your psyche is strained.

Left to right we have "People," "People Pieces," and "Noone is Immune."

 

Elementary? Yes. Fun? Yes. Effective? Yes. For me. At the risk of you questioning my emotional maturity further, I ask, "What HR pro couldn't use a little voodoo every now and then?" 

Why do I have these? First, they were both given to me as gifts and second, I doubt I'd be able to convince my staff to line dance Joe's Crab Sack or Texas Roadhouse style to add a little pressure release in my day.

Seriously, it comes down to dealing with what comes my way every day so I can get back to the business of making a difference today - and in the future.

When the tensions rise and you need to thrive and survive, what works for you?