HR and Bad Days

My fellow #Trench HR pro, Charlie, had a Red Pensil day on Friday and I get it. I get it completely. I've been there, done it and have had enough of those days myself.

It's on those days when I reenact, when I doubt, when I want to lash out, and when I go home and wonder. . . 

• Why me, why now and why must the stakes always seem so high?
• Who let me down, what don't they get about getting it right and why did I just look outward?
• What went wrong, what was missed and what, really, is the worst thing that can come of this?
• When was the last time something like this happened? And realize it's been a long time.
• Where can I make adjustments and tweaks to get things back on track?   

It's a feeling I've known too well throughout my career and one of the things that keeps me up at night until the sun comes up and then, as another day begins, I wonder, "how could I have even doubted myself, my leadership, my team, our commitment and our individual and combined capabilities?"

Bad things happen and it sucks when they do. Yes, I have had to bring my credibility to bear more times than I've wanted to (and that hurts) but the reality is - that's life. We roll with the punches and come back strong. We can do that because we are good. We are good at what we do and our track record speaks for itself.

It's not about HR, it's not about data, and it's not about technology working - or not. It's about coming to work and showing up and caring.

It's about leadership. I know that, you know that and from what I know about Charlie, I know that he knows that too. And I know that he is going to be all right.

We all are.