Changing the HR Story

The new year presents a fresh start. If there is something you'd like to start doing, stop doing or change the way you are doing it, this is when many jump on the resolution train. Whether you are a resolution-maker or not, making something better is bound to be on your mind.

It is on mine. Right out front, I have my running (I plan to run a half-marathon), my food choices (I've been Paleo for over a year now but have begun to sugar-stray), my skin (time to pay my dues for my younger years of sun worship) and the coaching I give, receive and accept.

On my mind today (but only because of a prompt) is what I'd do to make HR better. So, here it is.

How human resource professionals are viewed has a direct impact on their ability to impact change. And in many cases, HR pros are viewed as transaction managers, or worse, a necessary evil.  The stories about human resources go like this:

• HR is hard to work with.
• HR can't get the basics right.
• Include HR, why? What do they do anyway?

The stories are not going to change on their own.  Bob McDonald, then CEO, Proctor and Gamble said, "People are going to tell stories about you whether you want them to or not. Choose which ones they tell." 

I love this quote for a few reasons: first, it's true and second, it puts HR professionals and leaders across the globe in the driver's seat. Don't like the stories? Change them. Quit hiding behind technology, leading with the employee handbook and blaming the economy for recruitment and retention challenges. Stop talking (what you think sounds expert and dazzling is actually distancing) and start listening.

Start by getting your HR house in order - strengthen your HR infrastructure and your HR workforce. Align business decisions with organizational objectives  - focus on streamlining the hiring process, ensure employees have the necessary skills and abilities to do their jobs and develop targeted strategies to assist supervisors and managers with performance management. Share your success, take credit where credit is due and be nice to your friends.

Do this and I guarantee the conversations about HR will change and you will be sought out by others for your absolute awesomeness.

Changing the HR Story first appeared on lisarosendahl.com

The Character Based Leader - The Book

"Character counts in leadership and there are key elements that shape character." If this resonates with you, then you have got to read The Character Based Leader.

The Character Based Leader is collaborative effort by 21 authors of the Lead Change Group to reflect their beliefs on character and leadership. Woven throughout each of the individual chapters is a message of choice, trust and community from leaders I know and respect like Jennifer Miller and Megan M. Biro.

This is about real leadership, not leadership drawn from check sheets or to-do lists. In 5 parts: Why Character-Based Leadership, Lead From Where You Are, Character-Based Leadership Traits, Leadership Communities, and Moving Forward, this book is nothing short of a call to action.

The Character Based Leader aligns so well with my own belief that you can only lead from who you are and with 21 perspectives, one will call to you. This is a book you could read from cover to cover or pick and choose the chapters or authors that call to you. You won't be disappointed.

"Instigate a revolution!"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free download from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I expressed are my own.