Logic and Snakes Never Work

One of the things I like most about Human Resources work is people and their unpredictable behavior.  Over the years I've dealt with employees who brought a big snake to a previous employer (that subsequently got loose), confronted employees about love triangles (and rectangles if I remember correctly), and had to transition leaders out who just didn't realize how negatively they impacted everyone around them.  The one thing that seems to be missing in almost every conflict that comes up though is logic.  If a rational person were to take a moment and consider the choice they were about to make, I'm guessing logic would dictate that bringing a snake to a hospital is probably a bad idea.  But that's just me.  


Expect Too Much
One of the traps I've tried to avoid over the years is an unrealistic expectation of people, in particular, those in leadership roles.  It's not as if I'm perfect, or even remotely close to it.  But more often than not I sense that we in Human Resources expect others to be infallible, as if they no longer can be real once they step foot inside the company lobby.  I think HR expects too much from people...sometimes.



Don't Get Tainted
A core strength of Human Resources professionals is that despite the turbulence we all manage, we are able to see so many good things happen in our organizations every day.  It is our job to not only support the various parts of the organization when employee relations issues boil over; but we must seek out the good work too. The overwhelming number of encounters our employees have with our customers are terrific.  I need to make sure I learn more about those so I can recognize their hard work.

How About You
Are you getting caught up in the logic v drama world of Human Resources?  Or, are you looking beyond the soap opera fodder and making sure you learn about the amazing work that is happening right now?  Isn't the good stuff more fun to talk about anyway?

I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.


  


pics courtesy of Cafe Press and Midmofitness