Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Lots of Fear in the HR C-Suite

Today marks the kick-off of a new project called #NoFearHR between my good friend Mike VanDervort and I as we begin a dialogue on the impact of social media and Human Resources. Be sure to check out his terrific blog for his reaction once he sees today's post.


Hey Mike,

Something has been bothering me for a while and I just can't hold back any longer. I've been looking around the social media landscape and I don't see very many Human Resources Executives participating. Sure, they're spending money on new ATS products, facebook ads (sometimes) and generally talking about how important a social media strategy is for their company. But candidly, I don't see many stepping up and walking the social media talk. And it's bothering me.

I understand that a good corporate image is absolutely essential. In the post-Enron era it seems the spin doctors are busier than ever managing every customer facing contact point imaginable. Quite honestly I think that is the right thing to do…from an official corporate perspective. But what about those leaders inside the company that might help balance the corporate spin with a voice that is a bit edgy or confrontational or real? Specifically, what should the Human Resources executive do in this situation?

Playing It Safe is Lame
The safe play is obviously to hide behind the press releases and stumble out of the office every night dizzy from so much spin. But somehow that doesn’t seem right to me. The Human Resources leader is supposed to be focused on the success of the business and the employees. Right? Employees are bright, committed, and paying attention to everything that happens in the workplace. They don’t speak in press release language, or God forbid, ever use the word synergy on purpose. So who is going to keep the conversation “real” if the HR executive doesn’t?

No one, that’s who.

Social Risk or Social Reward
Enter social media into this mix. Five years ago I worried about the perception of company wide emails I had to release. Now I send more than a dozen messages per day to the universe via twitter, facebook, foursquare and LinkedIn. That’s a huge change in a short period of time. While all of those messages are not specifically directed to employees, they all can certainly track them. Does that pose a risk for me? For my company? For Human Resources?

Yes, yes and yes.

But there is an upside that simply can not be ignored. It is so incredibly obvious, and I believe essential for the modern Human Resources Executive that it must be incorporated into everyday life. Embracing social media specifically as a Human Resources leader does more than open up your own world (which it does to a degree that is impossible to accurately describe.) It allows for one of the primary links between the employees and the company to be accessible, real…to be human. Does that create a huge opportunity for me? For my company? For Human Resources?

Yes, yes and yes.

What Do You Think
I'm not sure how you see it from your perspective Mike, but it seems to me HR leaders are missing a huge opportunity to jump into the modern world of social leadership. Sure there's a downside, but everything has a downside. I'd like to find some other HR leaders at the top of their organizations who are willing to actually step up and engage in the fast-paced, and permanent world of social media.

~Jay

 

10 comments:

  1. You are absolutely correct here! I see many HR industry leaders, but few managers. It will be interesting to see Mike's reaction as well. I have my own theories but will hold... for now.

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    1. Thanks Keith...always appreciate your input! This is a bit of a rant right out of the gate from me...we'll see where it leads.

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  2. Jay - I noticed the same lack of executive HR leadership participation in social media. Rather than a rant, I hope your post is viewed as throwing down the gauntlet.

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    1. Thanks Tessa, I hope so too. It will be interesting to see how this develops!

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    2. I think it is a positive and constructive rant...developing some comments now ;)

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  3. Good stuff...looking forward to the discussion. As I'm continuing to develop my online presence and build my own HR voice, this is the kind of dialogue that helps keep the fire lit. Bring it on!

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    1. Seth...glad to hear you're jumping into the fray! The water is beautiful...really...just kidding. Glad to have you aboard!

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  4. Keep blazing the trail Jay. You guys in the US seem to be well ahead of us here in Merrie Olde England and I'm interested to see how this thread develops.

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    1. Many thanks Doug...although I'm not so sure we're ahead. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic!

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