19th June 2019 - introduction

I already blog about my garden (if you're interested look up GirlyHRGardener) but as I was sitting on the train heading south again it occurred to me that I've never blogged about work.  I often tell people that I should write a book about all the mad things that have happened in my career but I just don't have the time for that (and I'm not sure I'm clever enough).  I do however have the time to dip in and out with something like this.  I have no idea if anyone will ever read it but I like the idea of writing my thoughts about my work!

So, let me properly introduce myself...
I started working in an HR office when I was 18 after being a veterinary nurse and then a dental nurse (for a very short period).  After realising nursing wasn't for me I had no idea what I wanted to do and so I walked into a recruitment office and said I wanted a job.  I had no qualifications relating to business and the only interaction I'd had with a computer was at school when we were made to write a CV and print it onto paper with spool holes along the side, which you had to tear off (showing my age!)  I was placed as an Office Junior in an HR office at Filtronic Comtek in Shipley, West Yorkshire.  

I often say to people who work for me that there is nothing I will ask you to do that I haven't done myself.  I started at the bottom and worked my way up; putting notices on the boards, covering reception, slogging through time and attendance data, printing contracts with all the relevant attachments and walking to the post office with it in the rain because the postman didn't turn up - I've done it all.

One of the main things I've learnt from the best bosses is that nothing is beneath you.  You are never too senior or too important to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.  If you're not prepared to help your team when they need you then you've definitely become too big for your boots!! 

I'm not saying I've never got it wrong.  I am a force of nature and I am very opinionated which can rub people up the wrong way sometimes.  I also have to remind myself that while I encourage people to challenge me (I enjoy the debate) not everyone feels confident enough or comfortable enough to tell someone more senior than them that they think they're wrong.  If you are a leader of people and you find challenge and feedback difficult I'd encourage you to get better at it.  You might not always agree with the things people say to you but I'll put money on it that your team will think you're a better boss if they can approach you and tell you what they think without fearing a negative response.  

I've now worked in HR for over 20 years; I feel like I've seen it all but no doubt someone will still be able to surprise me with the madness that seems to inhabit some people.  I don't have a real plan here except to share my thoughts and perhaps a funny story or two.  If nobody ever reads this I'll at least have it for my own entertainment when I retire.

Until next time then, have a great day!
Emma x