Ride For The Brand

This guest post is authored by Ben Eubanks. Ben is an HR professional from Huntsville, AL. He lives much of his life online. Don't believe it? Catch him on LinkedIn, Twitter, RocketHR, or via email. His blog, UpstartHR, is about many things, including HR, leadership, and zombies.

In a recent employee appreciation ceremony, one of the senior leaders in my company got up to make a short speech that really resonated with me. He spoke about a traditional cowboy phrase that showed pride and dedication, and I think it has some interesting applications for each of us. The phrase?

"I ride for the brand."

He went on to elaborate on the literal and figurative meanings of that statement. While the cowboys were literally riding every day, the were also representing the organization every time they put on their uniform. I've heard a lot of talk about employer branding, but this message showed me how it applies in a whole new way.

Our employees may not ride horses and wear an uncomfortable amount of leather, but they "ride" for a brand, too. The brand they ride for signifies integrity, respect, and unwavering dedication to the mentally and physically disabled individuals we serve.

Another important point to focus on is that the employees are proud of what they represent. Their own pride in the service they provide gives it a special "flavor." Think about yourself. What brand do you ride for? Do you realize the significance of what you really embody when you go to work each day? Do you represent it with pride? If you can't honestly say that you're proud to "ride" for your brand, then why are you associating yourself in something you aren't comfortable with?

Looking into the New Year

I am not one for New Year's resolution or predictions, although I've been known to jump on a soap box every now and then or vlog for the first time, but I know that 2010 is going to be a year of change. I will make it so.

The economy tanked, the HR profession is struggling with an identity crisis and the world is in conflict but I can still say that 2009 was a good year - for me.  I saw that opportunities to contribute and connect with others are endless. I met so many amazing people. I've been inspired, had my thoughts challenged, was pushed out of my comfort zone and was picked up when I was down. I wanted to do everything and I wanted to be everywhere. I've been overwhelmed by options, energized by opportunity, sought out safety and  fretted about not doing, being or giving enough. 

What's that song line,"you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything?" What it comes down to, for me, is that I don't want to be everywhere and do everything. My focus is actually rather selfish these days - it's about me, it's about my days, and it's about my family. I measure everything against time with my daughter and err on the side of being with her. I say err but how can that ever be wrong? It means I make conscious choices and while I pass up some opportunities it doesn't mean I have any less of a drive to succeed, to make a difference or to contribute.

HR is not my passion. I know HR, enjoy HR, love the idea of a total shakeup/shakedown of the profession, so my future includes HR . . . pretty sure. It includes flexibility, developing potential in others, and connecting until it becomes so ingrained in what I do that I don't even think about it. I love to write more than I had ever known, I feel so fortunate to have a place where I can do that and with people I can do that with and my future includes much more of this.

You see, I am in this blogging/social media/make-a-difference thing for the long haul and ultimately, it means landing in a place where I follow my dream and stop feeling like I am chasing after someone else's.

If you need me and I am not here, you can find me on Twitter, LinkedIn, email, or with the kid on Raising Tarah, where her posting rate, by the way, is putting me to shame.

Here's to 2010!