#MeToo Is About Everyone

Anger is rampant. Accusations are rampant. Accountability is rampant. Men are running for cover, and women feel more empowered than ever before. 

It's embarrassing that in a country with as much potential as the United States, it's taken this long for these voices to be heard. It's also embarrassing that men continue to behave this way.

When we consider the racial and religious divide that has been reignited and supported over the last two years, it's a miracle that anyone dares speak out.

What Is Happening?
Has something fundamentally changed? Have centuries of abuse, harassment and a male dominated society finally started to crumble? Has the pendulum swung so far and so fast that no one is entirely sure what the 'new normal' looks like?

I don't have the answer.

But I do know one thing...

"We are not supposed to be afraid of each other."

I've heard that men are afraid to mentor women? 

What?

I've heard that men are not sure how to behave around women? 

What?

I've heard that women and men are being so cautious, that it is impacting how and when work actually gets done.

WHAT?!

The Missing Piece

Where is the leadership? Why isn't someone offering a balanced point of view? Why isn't someone demanding civil discourse on these complicated issues? Why are men running scared, when they should be standing up and making their voices heard in support of their colleagues, friends and family?

Where are the powerful male voices supporting #MeToo?

Mainstream media doesn't provide any leadership from the left or the right.

Political leaders who have the most influence are clearly falling short.

Many companies espouse "equality" and "value their employees" but I see precious little in writing, and even less 'action' from their leaders, taking a stand.

Who, then, is going to lead the way? Here's the answer...you and I are going to do it. 

We are going to have the difficult conversations. We are going to write in a calm, thought-provoking way to ensure opinions and ideas are heard. 

We are going to listen to each other. 

We are going to be role models for our children, our employees, and our leaders.

You and I are going to lead the way.

How About You

How do you feel about our world? Does your company's leadership team openly discuss these challenging issues? Is there a candid conversation occurring in your organization that sets an example for us all? What about you...how are you leading the way?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Change Management...for the Love of God

I may be about to alienate my HR friends…but here goes. 

I’m tired of hearing about change management tools, approaches, messages, and models. Are employees incapable of adjusting to changes in the workplace with out an inservice, lunch-and-learn session, or a team of life counselors to help them through it all?

Oh, please.

How about this:

“You’re a grown up…things have been changing since forever…let’s all act like adults, support each other and press on."

Easy Now…People Are More Sensitive Today

Alas, before I forget that the planet has done a nosedive into the comfortable world of politically correct mediocrity, let me take a step back.

Big changes require good messaging. Let’s say your organization is faced with a layoff (twitter). Clear, concise and honest messaging goes a long way. And for the record, in Jack's message to the employees, he didn’t discuss a series of change management educational sessions (think work-speak as therapy) to help everyone get through it all.

Easy Now…You’re Not Supporting the Profession

I love human resources. I’ve spent my entire career trying to lead effectively as a human resources professional, and candidly I don’t see any other executive roles that integrate the people side of the business more than HR.

But sometimes we get caught up in our own “stuff” and we end up looking…well…silly in front of our colleagues at the table. (Yes, we’re at the table…for those of you that don’t think we are you haven’t been paying attention.)

How About You

When big issues hit your organization you better have a well thought out communication plan for the team. But please, let’s not get so caught up in our HR work that we forget that we are not the business. We support the business.

Once we have that level of awareness, we can make all the difference in the world.

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Polite Disregard

I have some favorite words. Many of my HR colleagues have the same favorites. One that is near the top of my list is accountable. I like it so much I built it into the subtitle of this blog. Recently I've started hearing that perhaps the word accountable is falling out of favor...that it is too negative...and may send a message that isn't positive enough.

What?

Have we become so politically correct that we're not allowed to lead anymore?

I'm Not Giving Up
For the record, I'm sick and tired of how politically correct the world has become. I'm all for supporting people. Anyone who knows me is clear about how positive I am...and they also know how much I despise any form of discrimination...as I've written about here and here and here.

However, the issue of holding people accountable, particularly in the context of gaining the proper alignment to execute on strategy, organizational culture, and good leadership is a non-negotiable item. 

They're Not Listening Anyway
One of the odd behaviors I continue to see in people is that despite repeated direction, communications from the company, and clear examples being demonstrated, some individuals believe they can act out in their own way "because that is just their personality."

Excuse me? Are you serious? No one is going to agree with every single decision their company makes, including me. But does that mean I can "do my own thing" because I feel that my views are the best ones?

Absolutely not!

A key component of effective leadership is supporting the organization's mission, culture, and priorities. I hate to break it to you, but if you have a problem with these things...you're the problem.

Harsh words? Maybe. Honest? Yes.

How About You
What do you do when suddenly holding others accountable is no longer en vogue? Do you allow their polite disregard for your organization's priorities to be tolerated? Or, do you step up, hold them accountable for real, and move your company forward?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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