Random Acts of Kindness: A Day in the Life Sunday

I came across a quote recently that read, "Don't teach kids to count, teach them what counts most." I started to question if a parent can really teach empathy or if there are traits some kids have and others do not. No, I am not going to tackle child development on a Sunday morning.

I am going to share a story instead.

The kid asked for money for a pizza party and to pay-off a lost bet. We gave her six dollars. Three dollars for the pizza party, one dollar for the lost bet and two dollars back to the parents after the party. That was the plan, except nothing came back to the parents.

"Where's my two (just enough for a medium cinnamon spice tea from Caribou Coffee) dollars, kid?"

She didn't have it.

Turns out that three dollars went towards her pizza, and when she realized a friend did not have money for the party, the remaining three dollars went to her friend. I can't fault that, or the extra pair of sweat pants she brought into school for a friend who didn't have a pair for gym, or any of the countless other gestures she has made I am not aware of.

Kindness. Acceptance. Heart.

My tea can wait.

It's an amazing feeling to see this in your child. To a young teenager, it's "just being a good friend, Mom." Kids. She sees it as nothing. I know it's so much more.

I know because I was that girl.

Growing up, my mother worked at least two jobs to ensure my siblings and I had a place to come home to every day. There was food on the table and we had clothes on our backs. I knew we didn't have what others had but I don't know if I really knew at that age what was missing.

It's rather pitiful how much I can't recall time frames from my childhood. I direct all inquiries to my sister. I really don't remember a lot but I do remember Mary Jo. Mary Jo was everything I wasn't and she offered kindness and acceptance to this teenager when she needed it most. I don't remember if I ever even thanked her.

To my daughter, here's an extra stash of dollar bills, school supplies, weekend get-togethers and rides home. Use at will and continue to be the friend you are to others. They may not thank you now but they will be thankful for you later.

Kindness matters. Keep it up kiddo.

Random Acts of Kindness: A Day in the Life Sunday by Lisa Rosendahl first appeared on lisarosendahl.com

{Leadership} Get Your HR Head out of the Rabbit Hole

I spend a lot of my time around human resource professionals. I am not speaking this year (yet) but if I was, here is what I'd say to as many human resources professionals as I could about leadership and respect.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto

I remember walking up a narrow staircase to the second floor of the building I worked in as a young HR manager. The customer service manager was walking down and, because it the staircase was that narrow, we each shifted to our right. As we passed, he stopped, turned and said something to me. No, it wasn't "Suck it in, Rosendahl." It was something totally unexpected.

What do you think it was?

He said, "Thank you."  "For what?," I asked. "For everything you do for my staff. I don't expect that you hear that enough."  We chatted, I thanked him and continued on my way as the voice in my head began a familiar rant.

"Wow," I thought, "I don't hear it at all." It continued, "He's right! No one appreciates me or all the work my department does." "We're the only ones with spines in this place." "They're not my damn policies, enforce them yourself." There's more, "No one tells me anything. HR is always an after thought." "I get no respect."

Sound familiar?

It can be very easy to fall down that rabbit hole. Many human resource professionals do fall (rather easily) without looking first or thinking about the impact on themselves, their relationships with others and their ability to earn the oh-so-elusive respect they seek.

Many fall, but not all. There are those who RSVP, "No" to the pity party. They feel stronger, sit up straighter and discover a real strength of character and conviction within. They are not part of the problem, instead, they are the ones to shut that party down.

They are the ones who lead.

Which one are you?

Stop looking to the profession for respect. SHRM is not going to be able to help you with this. This one is all you and if you are struggling with respect, I am hear to tell you that you've set your expectations for yourself much too low.

You are too good to be limited by uncertainty or self-doubt. You are too good to be lessened by the criticisms of a profession. You are too good to be an after-thought or to hide in the shadows.

Leadership is not passive. Today we are going to talk about leaders (yes, that's you) and being brave.  Forget about respect for now. The bigger question is this: You are being called to lead. Will you heed the call or hide from it?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to grow up and lead.

Leadership: Get Your HR Head out of the Rabbit Hole by Lisa Rosendahl first appeared on lisarosendahl.com