Human Resources Means Something

September 26, 2018

By Lindy Earl

My first job out of school was in Administration.  Before that it was called Personnel. Today that same office would be called Human Resources, or HR.  We are seeing a move to titles such as Talent Management.

The title may change, but the job, the work, the tasks all remain the same.  Sadly, I think too many people are missing the point.

First, let me make an analogy.  For years companies had Sales Departments.  Sales jobs were clearly defined.  Then, in the 80’s, suddenly everyone had Marketing Departments.  The challenge, however, was that the term Marketing was being misused.  Nobody was fooled.  The Sales Reps remained Sales Agents, but with a new title.  It just added confusion, because Marketing is, and should be, its own Department.  Now Sales Reps are given the title of Business Development.  Okay.  It doesn’t change their job.

I like the title Human Resources, because that’s how we should see people, as resources.

In the olden days, only a little over a hundred years ago, the US was an agrarian society.  We had farmers who grew their own food and enough to sell.  Because farming is a labor-intensive job, especially before automation and some powerful machinery, a lot of labor was needed.  Yes, it could be hired out, but it was often home-grown as well.  Families had lots of children, and those children worked on the farm.  Our ancestors understood human resources!  They raised them, fed them, took care of them, taught them, encouraged them, trained them . . . whatever it took to make them the best workers they could be.

Are we seeing that with Human Resource Departments today?  In some cases, yes.  There are great companies that pay for continued education and training.  Sadly, I found in my life that while this was offered ahead of time, there were so many restrictions on what and how that the benefit was rarely used.  Still, other companies do make this available.

I don’t see promotions from within as often as I did a generation ago.  The line used to be, It pays to stay.  Is that still true?  Now we see people jumping companies in order to increase pay and get ahead.

Attrition, losing employees, is expensive.  It costs less financially, as well as in terms of time and emotion (yes, there are emotions involved with every hire and fire), to keep your employees rather than having a revolving door for employees.  In addition to the costs, the reputation of such companies is hurt.

I know of a large company headquartered in Atlanta whose (silent) motto is, “Nobody retires with us.”  They bring in talented employees, use them for 3-5 years, then send them packing.  Their goal is to pay zero of the pensions they offered upon hiring.  It is a lousy scam, yet the company remains successful.

So, in a world of limited resources, what’s the best thing to do?  Take care of what you have!  Have you ever noticed that owners take much better care of a home than renters?  It’s true!

So, let’s invest in our human capital.  That’s not an ungracious way of thinking of our employees.  We need to ensure that our employees are growing – are their needs met?  Are they sufficiently challenged but not overwhelmed? What needs to be done to encourage and help them grow?  What resources do they need to be the best employees, thus workers, thus people who output great work, that they can be?

Some people need nothing more than a desk and a chair.  Others require social stimuli.  Others need food.  Human Resource Management is difficult because people are difficult.  You can’t be all things to all people, but you can do some basic research and learn what you can provide that will satisfy the needs and wants of many of your employees.

Things as simple as flex time can be the difference between attracting a fabulous versus a mediocre employee.  It literally costs you nothing, and when employees work at the times of day that are best for them, output increases.  It’s a win-win, so why isn’t it offered more often?

There are a plethora of opportunities for every company, with or without an HR Department, to improve their employee relations.  Of course I am going to suggest hiring a coach like me, who is there (occasionally) for the sole purpose of making employees, thus companies, more successful.  Institute some employee benefits that your workers desire. Beyond that, think outside of the box to create a great working environment for your team.  Human Resources done well will make a huge impact on your company.

Lindy Earl is a Speaker, Consultant, and Writer.  To invite her to speak at your organization or firm, or ask about Consulting options, please contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com. 

Doing the Right Thing

September 19, 2018

By Lindy Earl

Life is busy.  We all have a lot to do, every day.  Our to-do lists seem to grow exponentially, sometimes overnight.  Taking time for ourselves seems ever more elusive.

Of course, time management can help.  One trick we were all taught, and some learned better than others, is that if there isn’t time to do it right, then there will be time to do it over.  Point:  do it right the first time, because it saves you time (and often money and respect) in the long run.

When accepting a new challenge, you can do the right thing the wrong way, the wrong thing the right or wrong way, or the right thing the right way.  Of course we know which is best, so why do the others happen?

Doing the right thing the wrong way – sometimes we just don’t know a better way to accomplish our goal.  For instance, if you’re asked to mow the lawn and you get it done, that’s doing the right thing.  Using scissors – is the wrong way!  Now, that’s an extreme example, but the analogy is fair.  Use the correct tools for the job.

Another reason people do the right thing the wrong way is that they are unwilling to seek help.  Asking for help shows intelligence – by acknowledging that there is possibly, maybe probably, a better way to do something, and being humble enough to ask, shows great character.

Doing the wrong thing, whether you it the right way or the wrong way, is obviously a bad idea.  Why does it happen?  I’m guessing mostly due to poor communication.  Failure to ask questions and clarify information can lead someone to misunderstand the project from the beginning, and that can lead to doing it incorrectly, or at least poorly.

Of course our goal is to do the right thing the right way.  You already have a good idea of how to accomplish this every time.  First, prepare.  Even the boy scouts teach this as their motto.  Learn everything you can, through questions and research, about what needs to be done. Learn the best way to accomplish the task.  Consider your talents and abilities.  Are you the best person for the job? Should you delegate the task?  Delegation is part of great leadership.  If you are the right person for the job, and have discerned the best way of doing the right thing, then, actually perform!  Knowing what to do but not doing it accomplishing nothing. Get it done!

There are plenty of ways to accomplish your goals.  Invest in yourself, and your future, by finding the best alternatives, using time management, making good decisions, and getting busy.

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to speak to your corporation or organization.

Trust Your Inner Voice

By Lindy Earl

Too often, people step back from what they want to do, or know to do, based on irrelevant reasons – what will others think or say? what if it doesn’t work? what if I fail?

How many times have we chosen to not do something, only to see the exact same thing being done, successfully, by another?  To make it more painful, they are receiving accolades!  As a teenager I had a simple idea when it came to packing.  A sibling laughed at me for it.  I stopped doing it.  One day while reading a magazine I saw my idea, under Reader’s Contributions.  A woman had been paid $50 for sharing the idea that I had been doing for years.  I should have trusted my inner voice.

Fear of failure is such a show stopper, especially at an early age.  The summer before I left for Freshman year of College, my roommate, who had attended orientation while I had not, called to tell me that getting classes was nigh unto impossible (we lived in Virginia and, yes, I say things like “nigh unto”).  She had me scared to tears!  I was so nervous that I voiced my concerns to my mother, who told me I didn’t have to go.

I came up with a line, at the age of 18, that served me well and continues to do so to this day.  I realized that people far more stupid than I had managed to attend College and register for classes. I went.  I’m happy to say I did register, for several semesters in a row, and graduated.  A silly fear, enflamed by an emotional response of another teenager, almost deterred me.  I really do continue to use that line, people more stupid than I have managed to do this, to this day.

With the joy of experience, we know at 40 and 50 and 60 years of age, that failure is an opportunity to more intelligently begin again (Henry Ford), and there is no failure, just an opportunity to learn what didn’t work (Thomas Edison).  Those adages were around when I was a child, but even if I had heard them, I hadn’t embraced them. With age, I’ve learned, to not only embrace the truth, but to listen to my inner voice.

Our strengths and abilities are better than we believe.  We can, and should, believe in ourselves.  Start today by taking a step.  Do what you want to do.  Be who you want to be.  You may be surprised at the support you get.  You may receive some negative responses.  Ignore them.  Smile and nod.  Move forward with your dreams and aspirations.  Trust your inner voice and use your intelligence and abilities to move forward.

Lindy Earl is a Speaker, Consultant, and Writer.  Please contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com. 

Connecting

September 5, 2018

By Lindy Earl

We all connect with people on a daily basis.  Sometimes it’s non-verbal, such as a nod as you pass.  Sometimes it’s a gesture – let’s say a wave.  There is a great amount of verbal communication, thus connecting, every day.

Some people connect with others quickly and easily.  They have some innate ability to break the ice and get past small talk, so they really connect well.  Can this be learned?  Absolutely!

We connect with so many people daily, the question becomes, with whom do we invest time and energy to create a really great connection versus just a nodding acquaintance?  Sometimes it’s obvious.

We should invest with the people with whom we work. You see them regularly and having more than a superficial friendship offers benefits in this world.

Once upon a time we connected well with neighbors.  I’m not sure that’s true anymore, or at least not where I live.  In my last home we had neighborhood parties and we all knew our neighbors, their children, and even their pets. Maybe because I’m in a larger city or because everybody seems to need a two-income household now, or maybe because our children are grown and gone, I don’t connect with my neighbors the way I once did.  If you do, that’s fabulous!  Enjoy it.

What about the people we just met, maybe at a network or even socially?  How do we make a connection there, for business or even personal reasons?  The same tactics apply for all connections.

First, learn and use names.  Learn the correct pronunciation and use a name immediately.  Second, acknowledge the need for small talk – yes, you can comment on the weather – but move past it as soon as possible.  An obvious question is what the other person does for a living, but take it further.  If the answer is Attorney, ask them to be more specific as there are a plethora of areas of law.  You can ask them to tell you more about it or why they chose that field of work.  Basically, get them talking about themselves.  If you want to continue the friendship/relationship, move from work/career into personal – are they married, do they have children, in what area of town do they live?  From there you could move to hobbies and activities.  There is a natural path to connecting with people.  If you get things out of order, it may get awkward.

A second part of connecting that is always true is that Manners Matter!  Start with a firm handshake.  That’s a great beginning.  If you’re at a luncheon and don’t know which fork to use, you’re probably okay.  If, however, you don’t know how to hold your soup spoon, it’s a simple thing to learn. If you spend the entire meeting talking about yourself, even though they asked, that’s simply not mannerly.

The last part of connecting to be discussed here is the next step.  In the business world, you can exchange business cards and follow up within a few days.  This moves your meeting one another from a simple connection to the next level.  In both the business and social world, you can set up your next meeting before separating – make plans to meet for coffee or, in my case, ice cream – it’s so much more fun than coffee and far quieter.

Connecting with people doesn’t just happen.  It takes some effort but is often worth it.  Sometimes it won’t work, but you’ll have met someone along the way and that’s a good thing. If you already know and do all the steps here, then you’re doing well. If you want to begin implementing them, you’ll be connecting with more people at a deeper level soon, and I think you’ll enjoy it.

Connecting with people is far more enjoyable than just meeting them.  I think it’s better to engage with a few people at an event than meet many people at a superficial level.  So, find someone you think is interesting and get involved in a good conversation.  You’re on your way!

Lindy is a Business Consultant and Speaker to individuals of all levels and for companies, churches, and organizations of all sizes.  In addition, she is an author and columnist.  Contact her at LMEarl@EarlMarketing.com to have her speak to your corporation or organization.

Do You Lose Your Sense of Humor?

By Lindy Earl

September 2018

I love to laugh.  I want to laugh every day.  It’s refreshing and renewing and energizing.

However, when I’m nervous or insecure, I withdraw.  Not only do I want to physically disappear but my sense of humor goes on hiatus.

I’m also an introvert, so groups of people drain me and I recharge when I’m alone.

I’m currently looking for a new church, and this has put me in a weekly state of distress.  As an introvert, a long service can completely deplete me!

Today, the pastor told the congregation to find 4-5 people near them (you’re expecting a handshake, like I did, right?) and tell then that they look better than you expected.  I guess it was supposed to be funny.

But when you’re the new kid, the introverted new kid, the introverted new kid who loses their sense of humor and wants to withdraw – it’s not.  Just shaking hands with 4-5 people is stressful.  Sharing a mean comment – I can’t do it!

Do I not have a sense of humor, or is it hidden beneath my insecurity?

I think characteristics like a sense of humor, or even traits of kindness and compassion, can be squashed by feelings of discomfort.  I think anger can hide a slew of feelings!  If you take umbrage at something, then your sense of propriety may be covered and you may respond inappropriately.  It happens.

So just when we should be most open, we are less so.  How should we handle this?

It would be nice if others would realize that what they intend as humor often falls flat.  That has happened to all of us.  The joke just didn’t translate.  But we can only affect what we do, not what others do.

So, a few ideas that I will try to hold onto, and am sharing with you . . .

Pray over yourself to be covered and insulated from insults and rude remarks.  Don’t allow them to touch you due to your hedge of protection.  I usually pray for a steel hedge.

Reduce expectations.  If you go into a situation looking to have a great experience, then you may be disappointed.  You probably will be at least a little disappointed.  Go into a situation with no, or low, expectations.

Decide ahead of time to add an extra dose of acceptance, humor, or whatever it takes to get through your new experience.

Decide to not be intimidated or frustrated or offended or insulted by anything.  There are a lot of qualifiers in that sentence.  The Lord is your source, not anyone on earth.  Look to Him if you start feeling any negative emotion.

If I had done any of this, then the first 35 minutes of today’s service, which was filled with announcements and music, would not have confused me, because I would not have expected to hear a sermon any sooner than it came.  I realized after the fact that I found I was surprised every time I thought they were going to finally begin preaching, but they went to yet another announcement.

I need to make my quest for a new church with a lot more humility – I simply do not know the best way to run a church service.  I need to remove all expectations and refuse to be hurt or offended by any jokes that are made.  I need to be well prayed up so I can laugh and enjoy the experience.  I need to remember that I love to laugh, and to look for opportunities to do so.

The Lord did, after all, create humor and laughter.