Doubting What You Do

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “seven-year itch;” I experienced the eight-year doubt. Does HR, even if done right, make a difference? Are we capable of what we aspire to? For a field that can talk theory and ideal visions until the cows come home, can we do it?

I bought into the vision and spent eight years seeking to actualize it. To be more, do more than “personnel management” (e.g. hire, pay, fire). Whether the business recognizes it or not, they need more. Most importantly, people deserve more!

The conclusion I’ve come to is HR is a service seen as more than the historic cost center but still an enabler lower on the totem pole. However, I stand behind the following:

1. Strong workplaces have strong HR teams

2. HR teams are only worth their salt if they know the business, share the goals of the business and act as strategic partners

3. If our day-to-day work matters to one person, it’s still worth it  

Doubt crept in more severely for Learning and Development. In fact, I took an informal poll over LinkedIn to see if anyone can trace meaningful career growth to a singular training program…because I couldn’t.

I’ve learned that out of a one-hour webinar, taking one nugget away is a success. A framework or two is worth a day of development. Anything that stretches my mind and makes me reflect and think is important, yet this can take so many forms that a class isn’t required.                                                                                                                                              

Working in talent development has made me a self-proclaimed “training snob.” While I won’t lower my bar, having LinkedIn respondents largely reply that indeed a training program has helped them validated my effort and passion.

What eight-years have taught me:

1. Learning requires practice and application

2. Development takes many forms and few require a classroom

3. Curiosity and mentorship are critical

4. Learning is an everyday activity

5. While organizational support is important, personal agency matters far more

Embracing Doubt

The front of the classroom perfectionist in me has discovered that the moment I think I know it all, I’ve lost and must move to a different profession - not in search of a new challenge, but because I will be doing a disservice to those in my charge and be a detriment to my profession. The desire to improve, evolve, tailor and experiment will be what brings our profession forward. Doubt is a part of that and I’m here for the journey.

To the Point

Here’s to learning and growing, fighting the good fight and marrying vision and reality.

Image source: The Career Catch Up