Failure Is Not A Competency

Proclaiming one's failures seems to be a trendy thing to do these last few years. It's an odd thing though, at least it is to me.

I get the whole "learn from your mistakes" angle...but, really...relishing in one's failures?

Lower the Bar
I'll be honest here. I don't want to fail. In fact, I get upset with myself when I stumble, let alone fail. I'm sure you do too.

Maybe, we have embraced failure as way to limit expectations of ourselves and our colleagues?

Maybe we have socialized failure so heavily, it is now more important to "own it" when we fail vs. being held accountable?

Maybe we need to stop making excuses about weakness, incompetence, and yes, failure?

How does that sound?

Harsh or Honest?
If you've written off today's post as a rant, think again.

How is failure treated in your organization? Do those leaders who struggle continue to stay in their roles, all while your senior leadership team preaches accountability and upholding corporate values?

You can't have it both ways.

Maybe what's happened to the corporate world is that we're all so fearful of employment litigation, that we've made it okay to hide behind excuses to be weak and indecisive? We see it a lot...so...it must be true.

Right?

How About You
How are you addressing failure and driving accountability into your organization? Is it working? What has made your approach successful?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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HR is Messy

A few years ago a member of my team asked me a question. We were discussing a sensitive issue that required some finesse to work through. I was also working toward a specific outcome, and knew I needed to take several important steps in order to get there.

She asked..."do you always have an agenda for everything?"

I Love Plans

For most of us...well, at least for me...I like to be in control of my situation. I want to understand the issues, prepare to address the ever-present political landmines, and be organized so I can deliver the results everyone expects from me.

Good plans do that. Heck, even half-baked plans can often do most of the job. But something happens in spite of having a clear work plan...and it seems to happen consistently.

People get involved.

A Beautiful Mess

Here's the part where I do not vent about people being a source of frustration as I try to get my work done "according to plan."

It turns out I'm one of those people that gets involved...even in my own plans! Sometimes I change my mind, or learn new information, or discover a new challenge that needs to be managed thoughtfully.

HR work is messy....and I love it.

How About You

The next time someone "interrupts" your plans, consider this: the world does not revolve around your view exclusively. If you are always the smartest one in the room, you have a pretty weak room.

Focus on being savvy, understanding all of the dynamics involved, and focus on the end result versus winning every battle along the way.

Oh, and my answer to her question about having an agenda?

It was yes, of course.

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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#HealthcareHR is Alive and Well

I’m fresh off a hectic couple of weeks that included two fantastic #HealthcareHR conferences. You read that right…TWO events focused on human resources professionals in healthcare.

That’s what I’m talking about!

SHINE

The first event focused on the long term care human resources pros. I was honored to deliver both a keynote address on transforming the talent acquisition function into a high-powered contemporary machine, as well as a session on leveraging social media tools to build both personal and employer brands.

The events were absolutely fantastic, it was well organized, and the attendees were so engaged I had to be kicked out of a room after one of my sessions because they were so many people asking questions!

ASHHRA

The second event was the 52^nd annual ASHHRA conference that brings together HR professionals from all healthcare disciplines for jam packed three days of learning, networking and fun.

I was so impressed not only with the high tech theme and quality of sessions; but the push to take ASHHRA forward as a leading edge part of the HR space had me fired up!

How About You

For those HealthcareHR leaders out there who haven’t taken advantage of these terrific events in the past, please consider them as “must attend” events in 2017. 

You won’t be disappointed, and you will appreciate the experience, the friends old and new, and the energy you will feel to return to your organization and take yourself and your team to a whole new level!

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses. 

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