What have you learned?
Paul in Cannon Beach
4,703 Posts
This year marks my tenth year in HR. I was thinking about some of the lessons I have learned over time. Here is part of my list.
1. Dont overreact. The problem is rarely as big as it seems.
2. Treat your employees the way you want them to treat your customers.
3. Employees expect consistency AND special treatment.
4. Be careful what you put in writing.
5. Work alongside your staff as much as possible.
6. Always accept a resignation.
7. Be patient. You might have the right answer at the wrong time.
8. Take responsibility but give away credit.
9. Don't rush to judgment. There is always more to the story.
10. Document. Document. Document.
So what are your hard earned nuggets of wisdom?
1. Dont overreact. The problem is rarely as big as it seems.
2. Treat your employees the way you want them to treat your customers.
3. Employees expect consistency AND special treatment.
4. Be careful what you put in writing.
5. Work alongside your staff as much as possible.
6. Always accept a resignation.
7. Be patient. You might have the right answer at the wrong time.
8. Take responsibility but give away credit.
9. Don't rush to judgment. There is always more to the story.
10. Document. Document. Document.
So what are your hard earned nuggets of wisdom?
Comments
1. Get out the facts first and then react.
2. Look at the costs of both winning and losing your various battles.
3. Never promise anything unless you have it right in your pocket to give.
4. If you want to keep a secret, tell nobody.
5. Putting off unpleasant duties only makes them worse.
Get back to people, especially employees, in a very timely manner. No matter what.
Know the difference between "Reply" and "Reply to All" when sending e-mail.
Don't vent to your spouse too much about your job. Make sure you include the positive stuff that happens.
Punish insubordination. Mentor immaturity.
Water the plant in your office occassionally.
Laugh at yourself.
Keep a jar of "dum dum" suckers or jelly beans in your office for little kids.
Get a flat panel monitor.
Watch your posture.
Take a walk during the day.
Develop a protege even if they aren't a direct report. Find someone who wants a mentor.
Read the financials.
Don't expect your employees to be anything other than regular people. They will make mistakes, do wonderful things, share laughter and tears, and sometimes behave immaturely.
Listen more than you speak.
Nae
Our CEO has a saying when it comes to fighting all the little battles: "Is this a hill that your willing to die on?"
Never sneeze when your hiding and never smile when your bluffin'...
Listen and really hear what the other person is saying...repeat it if you need to until you understand.
Think before you open your mouth
Be prepared for an emergency..it always happens.
Document everything! and be very careful what you write in the documentation.
Think before you write
Work at least as hard if not harder than your staff
Tell your staff what a good job they are doing often
Always be ready for the unexpected you just never know what will happen next in HR.
It simply means take your time when deciding to hire employees as it is one of the most crucial decisions a company can make, and we often shovel warm bodies in the door just to fill a need for help. The "quick to fire" means don't waste too much time on marginal performers who continue to languish in mediocrity for years on end, exposing the company's tolerance for employees who don't pull their weight, and often are the ones that end up filing charges against the company. Therefore, "slow to hire, quick to fire"
The closest a person ever comes to perfection is when they complete an employment application.
P.S. Happy Anniversary!
Plan EVERYTHING to take twice as much time as you think it will.
Remember how it felt to be an entry-level employee who didn't know anything.
Start pushing your broker for Insurance plan bids at least 6 months in advance of Open Enrollment. Keep pushing every couple of weeks and don't feel bad about it.
It's OK to admit you don't know something, as long as you have (and use) the ability to figure it out.
Be visible.
Be very careful what you say in an interview, either hiring or exit...your words may come back to bite you in the butt!!!!
Power can win a sprint but character wins a marathon.
Rule breakers are not always trouble makers.
Know your employees by name.
Assume goodwill.
The right people, doing the right things, right.