Hitchhikers Guide to HR Rule #1
1. Don’t Panic.
Seriously, our flight, fight or freeze reaction is way over-rated as a suitable response to most situations. And leaping to conclusions is not a wellness program activity. For that matter, neither is looping through hoops.
Preparation is the antidote.
Case in point. Recently I was in a serious life or death situation. My dog fell through the ice on the pond. We live very remotely and rurally. Help was too long away. So I rescued my dog. While rescuing my dog, I myself went into the water. So then I self-rescued myself. How? Boy Scout training from decades ago and kayak self-rescue techniques from this most recent decade. I was prepared not to panic and to methodically apply the necessary techniques to get back on to the muddy shore. Positive preparation prevents panic.
How does this apply to HR? Education and experience is our preparation for the unforseen. Keep your head on your shoulders. In case of emergency, call 911, send someone for help, and remember the first responders ABCs – Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Unless the situation involves emergency responders, IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY! My out of office voice mail and email frequently state, in case of emergency, hang up and dial 911.
Are there really any urgencies in HR? Only if you are unprepared. Once you are prepared, through education, expericence and confidence building certification – S/PHR, everthing is either a been there done that or another learning opportunity. And every learning opportunity requires been there learned that methodology.
The methodology is critical thinking. Responsibly get all sides to all stories, read between the lines, solicit options, consider options, seek recommendations from all involved while determining the best collaborative reSOLUTION.
All while not panicking. This is the cardinal #1 rule of The Hitchhikers Guide to HR.
You live and learn. At any rate, you live.
Douglas Adams
English humorist & science fiction novelist (1952 – 2001)
