One Minute HR Consultant

It’s raining outside and you walk into the main entrance of your office and the demands start:

“Phyllis, I need an updated candidate profile for Operations Manager, like yesterday!”

“I need you to explain to me why you need $80K more this year than you needed last year.”

“The consulting company called, they need to know the status of the RFP they submitted!”

You settle into your office, grab the first cup of coffee and here it comes:
“Staff meeting.  I know it’s not scheduled, but see you in five!”

That the life of a busy professional and a high-speed-low drag world of HR.  Senior leaders often want us to pull back only to put us right back into the tactical world of unscheduled activities and unplanned events.  What do you do?!

There is always simplicity in a world of confusion.

When you have a moment, go back and review the business and project plans (assuming they apply to you) to find out just what is your role in accomplishing those “strategic objectives.”  Ask yourself the question, “What is the best use of my time?”  Afterwords, update your schedule and events to ensure that the high priority objectives don’t get lost in a world of confusion (or tactics).

Next, think about this (and we don’t do this often enough): What can be done without me or who can do as good as a job (if not better) for tactical tasks that pull me away from strategic planning – yes, I am suggesting team play.  Is there a HighPos in your department?  Is there an Intern available?  Is there someone who has that “fire in their belly” and is just longing for a chance to be called?”  There is.  Find that person and put him/her front and center.

Here is where it gets really good (and fun) if you just try it:  Remember the phrase you learned in college or grad school, “Management by Walking Around.”  That’s right!  Walk around and get the vibe of the workforce.  Find out what’s on employees’ mind.  Don’t be shocked if you have to pick some people off the floor if your department is known for, “When something bad happens, there is HR.”  Have fun.  But here is the assignment: Talk about the goals of the organization.  Get a gut feel.  Draw into a conversation.  Find out how they feel about the current macro and micro economic environments and how it is impacting their work.  Are they optimistic?  Are they fearful?  How does it impact what you do?  Seek out your peers as well.  Talk to a line manager and get a feel of what’s going on in their department.  You are HR and you provide a valuable role.  Go over a piece of equipment and how it works.  Observe risks in the manager’s world that you can talk about.  Discuss high performers and problem employees – in a generic sense.  Now after you pick that person off the floor, go back to your office, reflect, and write down some observations.

You will probably note that some things need to be readjusted, but most importantly, you will be refreshed on why you are where you are – the prized and important HR professional.  If all goes well, you have accomplished the following:

a.  Taken a step back to see how your role fits into the organization;

b.  Shown a commitment to learn more about what’s on the mind of employees and your professional peers;

c.  Talked about where the organization is going and observe how your “change agent” role can benefit the organization;

d.  Become flooded with a host of ideas and thoughts that tie into every major component of your job (yes, even if you are a specialized professional) that will help you refine your work activities – not put more on your plate.

Whenever I have the pleasure of working at the senior or mid level at an organization, I am always pleased by how refreshed and rejunivated about what my role and goals for the organization are.  Every single person in the organization is important (or should be).  Their jobs/careers play a role in what the organization accomplishes and how it is accomplished.  Your role is to facilitate the “people” side of the equation to help your organization and its employees meet their goals and objectives.  But just as important, get something done.  Don’t leave a bunch of untidy projects and tasks and go to the quarterly meeting with nothing done.  Get er’ done and make it happen.  Now doesn’t it feel great!