3 things your HR team is grateful for:

^^ me every time I slide into your inbox. 

This is one of my favorite newsletters to write every year! Yes, I have favorites.

Last year I wrote VOL.1 of Things your HR Team is Grateful For. 

✨Today, I’m back with VOL.2!!! Too good to be true, I know! ✨

A quick note on gratitude: practicing gratitude can make you happier. 

On a personal note: gratitude is 1 of my 3 core values. Practicing gratitude on a daily basis has had such an impact on my life. It has helped me navigate the grief of losing loved ones, manage the stress of this job, and build strong relationships with the people in my life. 

I’m grateful for every newsletter I get to send, every inbox I take up space, and for every person who is reading these words. 

The fact that you take busy time out of your day to read this newsletter means the world to me. 

❤️Thank you for imagining a better future of work and trusting me with your time and attention. 

Okay, I think I’ve gushed enough. Let’s have some freakin’ fun! 

This edition is ✨FOR YOU ✨

The unsung heroes of every org. 

Here are 3 things to be grateful for!

#1: CEOs who respect HR 

Do y’all remember that podcast episode that featured four founders and they talked about how you don’t need HR???

Yeah, me either because I saw that 1 clip and I said NAHHHH and filtered it away in bad hot takes. 

📣Put some respect on my name and my industry. 

TBH: there will always be CEOs who don’t respect or really understand HR. 

But I’m grateful for all the CEOs out there that realize how powerful and impactful HR can be. 

They are the CEOs that:

✅Include HR in strategic decision making. After all, almost every decision impacts employees. Having HR in the room, at the table, and contributing their opinion shows HR is valued.

✅Listen to HR’s recommendations. It doesn’t mean they always act on the recommendation but at least they’re willing to listen to the experts about some things! Bonus points for when CEOs don’t follow the recommendation and take accountability for pursuing a different path. 

✅Prioritize people related goals. I get so sad when I see company goals and not a single one has to do with the experience of the people. But it’s not just about having a goal, it’s about what that goal displays. Having a goal shows commitment to the experience of the people AND allocating resources & budget to the HR team. 

✅Provide public praise for the team. There’s so much we do that goes unnoticed but there are CEOs out there that are great at appreciating their HR team for their work. 

The bottom line: The CEO <> HR has a long way to go but there are some great CEOs out there! 

#2: Constant learning 

🚨There really is never a dull moment working in HR. 

I used to joke that I was addicted to the chaos.

But it turns out learner is one of my Gallup top strengths and the reason I might love working in HR is that it’s a field where you are constantly learning. 

What other function combines business strategy, psychology, data analysis, compliance, communication, legal, tech, and marketing??

Crickets!!

It’s why I get so peeved when people underestimate HR. 

📣HR is one of the most interdisciplinary functions – we’re required to have SO MANY different skills across many different subjects. 

📚That means we’re always learning, growing and innovating. 

I’m pretty grateful for that. 

#3: A deep understanding of humans 

Do you ever find yourself psychoanalyzing characters in books, movies or tv shows? Maybe even your friends and family… 

Thinking about their actions, behaviors, and motivations?

Because, same. 

Working in HR you tend to develop a deep understanding of humans and their behavior. 

We’re constantly in situations where we have to analyze, empathize and navigate people and their complicated nature. 

Because of this deep understanding, HR folks can:

✅Connect in authentic ways 

✅Better understand employee motivations 

✅Recognize individual strengths and weaknesses 

✅Understand different perspectives 

✅Support employees through tough challenges 

✅Build strong relationships and trust 

✅Anticipate employee wants and needs 

✅Foster cultures of inclusion and belonging 

We HAVE TO understand the people we work with to do great work but I’d also say I’m grateful for the deep understanding of others I’ve built while working in HR. 

It really does help me in my personal life… just sayin!

What’s next: 

Next week I’m back to regularly scheduled programming where I talk about what HR should be rethinking. 

And the focus is: RECRUITING. 

Here’s a preview for those that love spoilers… I’ve tapped a few of my friends to share their takes on what to rethink. 

Until then, TA TA FOR NOW!