Bursts of Sunshine in My HR Week

The term "Trench HR" has come to be in the social media world with Twitter hashtags and its own LinkedIn group, Trench HR.  

For me, Trench HR denotes HR pros in the business of HR day to day in an organization. It doesn't denote the type or level of work being done (transactional vs. transformational) nor does it denote the level of work being done (generalist vs. leader) because it doesn't get any easier at the top. It is just what it is, the business of HR, nothing more and nothing less.

For all of my hemming and hawing and I don't like HR'ing (much), there is something about rolling up the sleeves, digging into an issue, debating with spirit and addressing an issue that I like about HR. Whether it's the engaging the junior lawyer in me, reaffirming the value of a relationship, or bringing out the potential in others - I like it. I have some credibility in this thing we call HR. When I say something, it matters. It's not always listened to but it is heard. And I like that too.

I have a special fondness for trenches, even having dug a trench <once> myself, but a girl needs to come out and see the sun sometimes.

Here is some of the sunshine in my week and I'll tell you - it's just what the doctor ordered:

I had the pleasure of sharing a phone line with William Tincup on DriveThruHR Convenient Conversations (his cohort in crime, Bryan Wempem had another commitment). We talked about what keeps me up at night (hint: I worry a lot), touched on HR in the military, and dished about Women of HR. Listen and let me know what you think. It was fun and yes, I'd do it again.

With -8 temps and a -22 wind chill this morning, I am so very pleased to be part of the Social Technology Team for the 2011 HR Florida State Conference. It's not until the end of August but it's enough to warm these bones of mine! Stay tuned for more updates from the Mouth of the South, the official blog of the conference, to see who I get to work with.

Where will you be going this year and what will you be doing to bring a little sunshine and warmth to your days?

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.