Faith, Values and HR

Wait, what?

I know what you are thinking. We can not talk about our faith in the workplace! That's crazy talk! We are going to get complaints, the employees will be in an uproar, and we might even get sued!

Um, let's just slow down here for a minute.

Leave Your Personal Life at the Door
Have you ever heard this phrase? Have you ever said it to an employee? When was the last time you walked into work and shut off every single part of your life outside of work?

I know the answer. Never, that's when.

Regardless of your faith perspective (if you have one) this seems like one of the most absurd (and candidly embarrassing) management messages to send..."leave your personal life at the door."

Our lives are not broken into convenient little pieces.
There is no work/life balance.
There is only life balance, and our faith is
a big part of that journey.

Live the Values
If we pause for a moment to consider what most of our corporate values say (and let's be honest, most are very similar) they focus on treating people well, doing good work, living with integrity, etc.

Hmmm, those sound curiously similar to the core tenets of most world religions. 

So, as we ask our employees, our leaders, and ourselves to 'live the values' of our organizations in everything we do; are we also asking everyone to shut off their faith that implores us to 'live that faith in all we do' at the same time?

I'm no longer buying that premise. How does one pray each day, participate in the life of their faith community, and then walk into work and turn their back on all of that because "it's just business?"

That simply does not make any sense.

How About You
Will I now be preaching the gospel during team meetings? Of course not. 

But will I pretend that I don't have faith, or act as if I'm such a "good man of business" that faith and values don't really matter? Absolutely not.

What is your take? I know this is a complicated and important issue.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Standing In the Middle of a Time of Worry

Long title, I know. It's a line from a song that is pretty cool. But it speaks to something so pervasive in the workplace (and outside the workplace too.)

The weight of...everything.

So much to accomplish. 
So many projects. 
So many needs for the right talent doing the right things at the right time.

...and so much extra anxiety because we're always in CYA mode.

Friends, this is simply exhausting.

A New Way
I think a lot about pressure. The pressure that executive leadership brings. The pressure to deliver results for the companies that hire us. The pressure to grow my company. Oh, and also to stay on top of every facet of my personal life as well.

No big deal, right?

If we're constantly thinking about being the best we can be, and trying to follow the arcane school of thought that we should just "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and handle everything alone" we're way off-base.

Life is not an individual journey.

So, what options do we have?

Finding Center
For me, it's been a long process. Finding my way back to a set of values and beliefs that provides a completely new sense of who am I, the power I have to make a difference, and the support that is all around me has been nothing short of profound.

It's been a return to my core values, if you will. A renewed sense of something larger than me, all around me, that fills me with peace and strength...confidence and optimism.

When you find that "center" in your life, it means that you...
- trust it
- value it
- believe in it
- have faith in it

...and thrive.

How About You
Have you lost your "center?" It's easy to do. With our frenetic pace, it's no wonder we lose sight of it from time to time. Perhaps today is good day to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what is most important?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Get Off My Lawn

I have become an angry old man.

You see, getting (a bit) older is an interesting thing. While I try really hard to be a positive force in my little world, I can sometimes fall in the trap of...well...not being so positive.

Those Darn Leaders
The curse of high expectations can be costly. On one hand I work extremely hard to ensure phenomenal results are achieved; and, I can also be critical when junior-level leaders try hard but repeatedly fall short.

Get off my lawn you struggling leaders!

Those Darn Team Members
I'm blessed to help lead an organization that is absolutely loaded with bright young minds. Their energy is infectious, and pushes me to keep bringing my A-game each day. Except, I fall into my own expectations-trap.

I expect those fired up young minds to understand everything I already have been exposed to and learned over many years. Sigh. Another #JayFail.

Get off my lawn you young people!

Those Darn Executives
Ah, at least I can rely on all of the executives leading organizations around the globe! They are my "angry old man" salvation, for sure!

But wait...did I just hear one (er, all!) of them say they don't have time for social media, branding, have any time to spend with employees, or mentor a young motivated leader because they have more meetings?

What is happening?
Excuses? Meetings? Noise!

When did policies, process, busy calendars and egos take over our passion for leadership?

Get off my lawn you scared executives!

How About You
Have you become angry in your "old age?" Well, I for one am done with being the old angry guy in the corner of the conference room. Complaining doesn't support new leaders, educate motivated young employees, or call-out stressed executives.

Action + a positive attitude does all of these things and more!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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I'm Not Talking To You

Time moves fast, right? We all seem to be hustling harder than ever, and the months and years keep pace as time literally roars past us. When I started blogging in 2010, I hoped I could avoid flaming out in several months and not completely embarrass myself in the process.

Now, more than 700 posts later, I've finally figured something out. So much of what I focus on here at NoExcuses...and so much of what I say in real life...is often not intended for anyone but me.

Is that an odd thing to say? Perhaps. Let me explain.

Accountability
As I ventured into the blogosphere, I recognized I was not going to change the world. What I did want to do however, was develop a personal voice that helped me stay accountable as an executive. 

Perhaps no one really cares about these words anymore? Maybe I over think the importance of executive behavior, role-modeling, leadership, and the potent combination of high energy and risk to actually make progress?

At this point, I don't care what others think when I write.

I'm not talking to them.

It's All Good
Another brief example I'd like to share has to do with one of my favorite, albeit overused phrases. I use it constantly, particularly when I'm managing multiple stressors in my professional and personal life simultaneously.

"It's all good." 

As time has passed those closest to me have started calling me out on my use of this comment. Their interpretation is that I am not acknowledging my feelings, and therefore am holding back instead of addressing what I need to work through in a healthy way.

Except my amazing, and well-intended friends are actually missing the point.

It's all good...for me...is a reminder of the blessings I have in my life. My family, my oldest friends, my amazing new friends, my faith, my career, my health, my passion for music and fitness and Florida.

You see, it's all good is my own humility check. Because despite what my friends think...

I'm not talking to them.

How About You
What approach helps you stay focused, productive, and still remain grateful for the blessings around you? Does anyone know the hidden meaning behind your mantras? No one knows mine...I guess until now.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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How Did I Do That?

I get asked a lot about using social media in my work. How did I get started? How do I find the time? How did I know it would make such a difference for the company? How did I deal with the criticism from the old school leaders who are out of touch?

Lots of ‘how’ questions. Today I’ll offer some brief answers.

How Did I Get Started?

Six years ago I was privileged to move into a VP of HR role at an organization filled with great people, but one that had not made any moves into the contemporary talent acquisition space. I hadn’t either.

With mounting vacancies across the organization and a non-existent national employer brand, something had to change. I decided I needed to learn social media tools and bring them to life with the human resources team.

Stop worrying about starting, just get started.

How Do I Find the Time?

For years I preached the gospel of work-life balance…and for years I struggled mightily with work-life balance! The more I understood about being a leader, the more I realized there is only one thing: life balance. Today I integrate my work life, personal life, and digital life into one continuous flow. 

Stop worrying about time, just get started.

How Did I Know It Would Make a Difference?

As a healthcare executive I looked around and found that not many of my peers were using social media personally or professionally (read here —> almost no one.) As I looked outside my industry I saw a flood of successes. I also paid attention to…well…all of society! Why was…(and still is)…healthcare so far behind? It didn’t matter…the data was clear, and I went full speed into social media.

Stop worrying about changing the world, just get started.

How Did I Deal with the Criticism?

When I started to experiment with social tools, those around me (not my team in HR) found it ‘easy’ to poke fun. There was often an undertone of jealousy (and over compensating in my view) because although those folks were incredibly smart, they had simply been left behind. The world of work had roared past them and they did not have the courage to keep up.

Stop worrying about criticism, just get started.

How About You

As you muster up the courage to lead the way, simply focus on one important thing: you! You can take your career to a whole new level. You can bring your organization to a whole new level too.

You, can make a real difference!

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses. 

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Balance and Flow

The world of work has an odd sense of humor. When we find our passion...and commit ourselves to it...we end up having greater demands placed on us. Those demands become a source of energy and motivation to push ourselves even harder (at least they have that effect on me.)

My competitive side loves the world of work's sense of humor.

Finding Balance
Much is written about the ever elusive notion of work/life balance and how differently this concept is applied in the modern world. Should we compartmentalize our lives into neat little time slots? Should we only check email twice a day? Should I only focus on three tasks every Monday? Do I have to be present for every single thing in every part of my life every time?

I'm exhausted trying to figure out how not to be exhausted.

Stop Chasing Balance
As our scope of responsibility grows...our project list stretches into double digits...and apparently everyone on Earth feels compelled to send us email...we need to stop doing one important thing.

Stop trying to "find" balance. 

"Balance does not have an address. It is not hidden on a website. You can not sign up for balance through an RSS feed. Nor can you register for balance at an event. Balance is a fantasy."

The Joke Is On You
For those living in the modern world it is impossible to separate work and life. That is not a bad thing...in fact, it is quite freeing. Stay with me now. 

Once the pressure to turn off work and turn on home (or any other non-work part of your life) is no longer present, your complete life can simply flow.

My friend Doug Shaw understands this concept and has helped me understand it too. Don't let unrealistic concepts force you to live an awkward life. Life is about flow...and it is a powerful way to integrate all of the pieces of your world.

How About You
Have you allowed yourself to believe that balance exists in your life; or, have you embraced your whole life as one flowing experience that integrates everything that you are? 

I'm glad I listened to Doug when he said "flow beats work/life balance." He was right.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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HR Has Changed

The world of the human resources practitioner has changed quite a bit over the years. I used to use really fancy tools like fax machines, Lotus123, and WordPefect to help me. I carried a digital pager (oooohhhhh, fancy!), had a cell phone that came in a bag for my car, and thought a hard copy printout of my calendar on ringed paper for my daily organizer was sophisticated.

But That's All Changed Now

Now I can (almost) work exclusively from my iPhone. I don't carry pens or paper to meetings, nor do I keep handouts for very long (hello recycle bin!). The laws and regulations have changed a lot too...some of them are even helpful, but not all.

The pace of change seems to have accelerated over the last few years too: social media, web-based everything, mobile societies, and my never-ending attempt to balance work and home in a reasonable way (see iPhone comment.)

For Some It Can Be Too Much

As the tempo has picked up in my HR practice I've noticed that not all of my colleagues have fared well during this time of change.

Whether they use the excuse that they are close to retirement and don't need to learn new things; or they are afraid to appear obsolete; or they believe deep down that they are no longer relevant in the "new world" of HR, they continue to stand on the sidelines.

How About You
It's time for that to change. If you see a colleague who is struggling to stay current you should consider reaching out to them. If they are a true colleague they will appreciate your kindness and support to help them get in the game again. Sometimes a small gesture is all that is needed to make a big difference.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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Messages to the Workforce

We're all hiring these new members of the workforce. What messages are we sending to them?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

The Real Me

Game face.
Professional boundaries.
Opening up.
My "A" game.
Giving of myself.
Driven.
Focused.
Blah, blah, blah.

Sharing is Caring
I'm not type of person who keeps too many things inside. When I'm passionate about something it just spills out. It may be my work, it may be my family, or it may be my hobbies. But sooner or later, if it gets me fired up, those around me are going to hear about it. Since we all spend so many hours at our jobs, the people around me in the workplace definitely hear about it all...and then some.

But should they?

Professional Is Best...Right?
I've long espoused that we must maintain a level of professionalism in the workplace, particularly for those of us fortunate enough to be in leadership roles. Here's my dilemma: being professional all the time in no way comes close to the real me. Is that bad? I'm not sure. I do know it's real, so maybe I'm on to something.

Too Much Personal Is Bad...Right?

I've also thought for a long time that being a bit more fun and personal with those around me is the best strategy in just about every situation. Showing some personality, kidding around to alleviate the stress of the moment, and generally being a more upbeat member of the team just feels more natural to me. 

But should I be this way at work?

Finding The Balance

Jason Seiden has written some great material on the concept of profersonal relationships. I encourage you to check out his perspective on this issue. Putting all of these issues into practice however, changes the nature of our relationships with those around us. One way of finding our way on this journey could be, as Charlie Judy recently suggested, to develop our own Personal Board of Directors. It's an intriguing concept, and I'd love to hear if any of you have implemented this approach. I haven't taken that plunge...yet.

How About You
Do you think it's okay to share who you really are? Or, is it just simply safer to have a permanent game-face on that never comes off? I like to embrace my passions fully, which usually means my team at work hears a lot about social media, HR, and hockey. Can I go a bit farther and share my musical passions as well? Hmmm, maybe I should wait until I'm fully vested first?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.




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Speed Demon

I hate waiting. I hate slow decision-makers. And I loathe analysis-paralysis. My work life is moving so fast (just like yours is) and I don't want to waste time waiting for decisions to be made so I can get the results I want so badly.

I want it all. I want it all now.

And I absolutely can not stand it when I'm the reason decisions aren't being made.

Speed Kills
In sport speed is the ultimate conqueror. Whether you're the fastest skater on a hockey club, fastest base runner in baseball, or fastest car in qualifying; if no one can catch you, then you're simply unstoppable.

At work, if you're able to be the most productive, and most thorough, and most efficient and also be willing to take calculated risks then you're probably unstoppable too. Unless you go too fast.

There is another meaning to the term speed kills. It has to do with going so fast that even though you've convinced yourself that you're doing the right thing, you've actually overestimated your own skill set and are now heading for disaster. That could be in a car, or during a game, or at work.

How About You
How do you balance the need for timely decision-making and avoiding unnecessary risks? Have you embraced such a risk-averse approach that no one looks to you for leadership; or, are you seen as someone who can understand the dynamics of a situation quickly and actually decide to move through it?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.




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