5 Simple Truths You Absolutely Must Remember When Climbing The Ladder of Success In HR…
by Alan Collins
Truth #1 – Your education, HR certifications and smarts mean nothing…without ACTION.
Laurie Reiuttemann in her article, What the Hell is an SPHR? tells the story about getting career coaching from her boss.
He told her that if she wanted to be taken seriously in HR, that she should go get SPHR certified.
So she did.
The whole process took her about nine weeks.
The result: Nobody on her job cared one hoot that she passed the exam.
In my case, when I left Purdue with my masters in Industrial Relations, I felt on top of the world. And, in my first real HR job, I didn’t hesitate to tout my business school credentials.
And, like Laurie, I found out nobody gave a rip.
In fact, the more I talked about grad school, the more people ignored me.
I didn’t start getting any REAL respect on the job until I got my freakin’ head out of the clouds, hunkered down and started getting stuff done. Stuff that really mattered.
There’s an important point here.
It doesn’t make any difference if you have a genius IQ, plus an MBA, GPHR, SPHR, CCP and a PhD in Human Resources (if such a thing exists). You won’t make meaningful career progress in the real-world without taking action and getting results.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a biggest advocate on the planet for beefing up your HR credentials and engaging in constant professional development until the day you die.
However, doing these things guarantee you nothing.
The reason you do them is that they will make you a more confident and capable HR professional. That’s all.
There’s a huge difference between KNOWING HOW to do something and ACTUALLY DOING IT WELL.
Knowledge, capability, skill and intelligence are not all that important without action and results to validate them.
It’s just that simple.
Truth #2 – You are in business for yourself
No matter how you make your living in HR or who you think you work for, you really only work for one person: YOURSELF.
The big question is: What are you selling and to whom? Even if you have a full-time, salaried position in a Fortune 500 sweatshop, you are still running your own business. You are the “product” and you’re selling:
- One unit of your existence (an hour of your life)
- At a set price (the associated fraction of your salary)
- To a big customer (your employer)
- Populated with consumers who must be satisfied with the value you provide (your clients).
So how can you become a more valuable product? It’s simple. Solve more problems. Produce more solutions.
Companies love HR people who are proactive, flexible problem-solvers.
What kind of problems should you be solving? Simple. The problems that plague your organization or your clients the most.
If you have the choice of pushing back, grousing and complaining about why these problems exist in the first place. Or jumping in the mix, positioning yourself as a “solution provider” and building your HR brand in the process. I say opt for the latter.
But let’s get real. Chances are no matter how much value you’re adding, if the business goes belly up, you can expect to get canned. But just because you lose your job doesn’t mean that you lose all your experiences, talents, ideas, leadership and determination. Again, you are a business.
You are not your job, so don’t lose your identity in it.
Your job isn’t your security blanket.
Your business is.
Truth #3 – Happiness and success in HR are two different things.
I’m friends with a brilliant HR SVP who makes a ton of money. How do I know that? Because I saw her total compensation package published in her company’s 10-k filing for shareholders.
Every person I know, including me, considers her to be wildly successful. But guess what? A few days ago, out of the blue, over an informal coffee, she told me that she’s been depressed for the last 18 months.
Why?
“I’m burnt out on this job, haven’t had a real date in a year and I’m lonely. I’m swamped at work, out of shape and just haven’t taken enough time for myself lately,” she said.
“Wow!” I thought. “One of the most successful HR executives I know isn’t happy.”
I also know an HR manager, who works roughly five levels below her in a different organization.
Weather permitting, he bikes along the lakefront in Chicago twice a week. He collects antiques. And, is the most energetic and upbeat guys I’ve ever met – always smiling from ear to ear.
He’s been in the exact same job for the past three years and loves it. He’s not worried about where his next promotion is coming from. He’s got a huge network of contacts and is confident that if he ever needs to find another HRM job, it won’t be a problem.
So while this guy is happy, I wouldn’t classify his HR career as the ultimate success story.
The point: “What will make me happy?” and “What will make me successful?” are two of the most important questions you can ask yourself about your career in HR.
But they are two different questions.
And they may have two different answers.
You can be successful and unhappy.
You can be happy and not successful.
You can, of course, be both.
Which are you?
Truth #4 – You will never feel 100% ready when an opportunity lands on your doorstep.
The number one thing I consistently see that holds savvy HR folks back is their own reluctance to accept an opportunity simply because they don’t think they’re ready.
When does this happen?
Anytime.
It could happen if you’re offered a “once-in-a-lifetime” big promotion to China.
It could happen if you’re asked to lead the company-wide task force on improving employee engagement.
It could happen if one of your clients, a powerful senior executive, taps you on the shoulder and asks you for some candid feedback on how she can work better with her team.
In cases like this, it’s natural to doubt yourself and question whether you have what it takes.
But the truth is nobody ever feels 100% ready when a big opportunity arises.
Why?
Because most great opportunities jerk us out of our comfort zone and force us to stretch ourselves emotionally and intellectually, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
And when we don’t feel comfortable, we darn sure don’t feel ready.
Significant moments of opportunity will land at your doorstep throughout your career in HR.
And, if you are looking to make significant progress in your career you will need to embrace these moments of opportunity…even though you will never feel 100% ready for them.
Truth #5 – Your good friends will come and go.
From personal experience, I can tell you that it’s easy to succumb to career pressures and refuse to set aside time for quality time for family and friends.
Not Facebook time.
Actual face time.
Sure, it’s true that many people you meet in your life will just fade away.
Most of your high school friends won’t be part of your college life.
Most of your college friends won’t be a part of your 20-something professional life.
Most of your 20-something friends won’t be there when…after many years of effort… you finally land that job of your dreams in HR.
But some friends will stick.
And it is these friends – the ones who transcend time with you – who DO matter.
Cherish them.
And stay in touch.
CLICK HERE to add your thoughts, insights, or comments.
About the author: Alan Collins was Vice President – Human Resources at PepsiCo where he led HR initiatives for their Quaker Oats, Gatorade and Tropicana businesses. He is now Founder of Success in HR, Inc. and the author of the two HR best sellers, UNWRITTEN HR RULES and BEST KEPT HR SECRETS. His NEW book, YOUR HR GOLDMINE is now is available on Amazon.
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Dear Alan
Five simple truths – great stuff!
#5 being the most important, I have experienced #4 many times in my career; in fact I would not be where I am if I had always waited until I felt “ready”. In contrary – I threw myself into the deep end and it all turned out well, boosting my confidence and make grow to another level both personally and professionally. Regarding #3: I experienced the miserable situation of the VP once – and I quit. What is the point of all the perks and a pension when you can’t thrive in your profession. Anyway – many thanks for this newsletter.
Regards
Walter
Walter – Thanks for sharing your rich experiences with these truths. Great points! #5 is my favorite too.
Dear Alan….. enjoyably and great as usual thank you – that you lived it makes it shout Fact.
thanks Mohamed.
Alan-yet another great article. #1 and #4 resonate with me the most. Having dealt with the initial shock of not getting any resounding accolades for completing my PHR or MBA, I noticed that I received more professional recognition for the quality of my work. Same bodes true in my last position when I was asked to lead a team of managers on reviving the organization’s business model. I didn’t feel ready for it and it made me very uncomfortable, but I am definitely appreciative of the opportunity to grow!
Adrienne,
Thanks for sharing your stories — and my hat’s off to you for your resilience as you experienced #1 & #4.
Alan
WOW. Thoroughly enjoyed it …..all points are so genuine…thanks for sharing….
Alan,
Very insightful and revealing article about your experience within HR.
Thank you.
Carl
Alan,
Loved your article and thought your points were spot on. A colleague recently gave me an “I heart HR” teddy bear. It was meant to be funny (and made me laugh), but it supports my mantra that you’ve gotta love what you do — or you’ll be miserable. Bringing your joy and passion for HR (or whatever you do) into the workplace has a tangible impact on the people around you, how you’re perceived, and how effectively you get your job done. I think I’m going to get a new t-shirt for my teddy bear that says, “No Grouse Zone!”
Jenifer
Alan – sorry, but while appealing to the human side of us (HR types) you missed truth #1: HR doesn’t matter except for the benefits it brings to the business.
Far too many HR folks get all balled up in the nuances and rights/wrongs of HR process – and get blown off by C-level leaders who live/eat/breath their business success and all things leading to it.
Success Rule #1 (Corrolary): Be a business leader first (know it/live it/help drive it) and you’ll be part of the big solution.
My two cents, worth what you paid for ‘em…
Z
Z,
Excellent point!!! Agree 100% with your point & the corollary.
It’s so important, it warranted it’s own stand alone article – see link below…
http://successinhr.com/financial-intelligence
You point is worth a lot more than 2 chips. Thx for sharing it.
Alan
Here’s one more link to check out — especially #1 on the list….
http://successinhr.com/50-things
Enjoy!
Alan
All so true nuggets.
No. 4 resonates with me so well. My best moments came from opportunities which knocked and where I just took them on whim with with a dose of speculation on myself.
I love your five simple truths. I am looking for an opportunity to find a job in HR. I have a Bachelor’s in Management and I am do to finish my Mastors in Employment Law and Labor Relations this fall. I have obtained a certification, and I am constantly educating myself on new trends in HR. Just yesterday, I thought to myself when my opportunity comes will I be ready? You answered the question as well as others. Thanks for your insight and wisdom. It is much appreciated. Aqua
Brilliant analysis. Thank you for a nice hot cup of reality.
Dear Alan,
Thanks for sharing the thought. Its my lifetime goal and ambition to excel in HR profession. I will take your words as a guidance for me to groom myself this profession.
Love these simple truths! Must add – Remember the big picture of your life. Career success becomes fulfilling if it is aligned with your life’s purpose. Live life with eternity in mind.
Hi Alan,
I recently experienced #4 when I was asked to lead the HR portion of a due diligence project that transitioned into an M&A project. The M&A project then led to the job offer of my dreams only to have it slip through my fingers like grains of salt due to budgeting cuts. Suffice it to say, I am on #2 now and am going through withdrawal…. Thanks for the advice.
Best Regards,
Loren
Dear Alan,
I really liked your approach of focussing on delivering results. Our Degree, Knowledge & IQ are all tools to deliver results. Results, that the organisation wants. As long as you are delivering that, i think nothing else matters so much.
Loren – thanks for sharing your story. Hang in there…another oppty will present itself.
Alan
Hi Alan,
Thank you for the informative article.
Yes sure results and actions speak louder and I believe it is all qualities we need to acquire in order to succeed in HR field , Knowledge , Skills and Attitude and definitely good behaviors that matter at the end. All these are requirments for success.
Best Wishes.
Lana
I really like this article it is very insightful. As far as degrees and certifications I believe that it can only get you to open the door, once you are inside it is up to you to show skills and knowledge you have to be successful at your job
Awesome advice! I love this article. #1, #3, & #4 resonate with me most.
#1 I agree that degrees and certifications are only door openers and I have to prove myself worthy.
#3 I agree that happiness and success are not one in the same and that each one of us has to make a conscious effort to ensure both are priorities in our lives and careers.
#5 WOW!! The big thing I can say about this advice. The only way we can better ourselves and grow as individuals is to take a chance and get out of our comfort zone. Why do you think it is call “growing pains”?
Thank you for your insight! I love your articles!!
Casey
Thank you for your article. It was very helpful and encouraging. I graduated in December 2010 with my Masters in HR Management but have not yet had an opportunity to get back into the field. I left the HR in 2003 when I moved and I wander sometimes if my degree is a hindrance. It is a little bit discouraging but I know that eventually I will and will take full advantage of the position. I love HR and have always gauged my success on the people I have helped instead of the compensation I received. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be compensated fairly but there is such joy in the confidence that my fellow co-workers and leaders place in me. Again, thank you for your frank discussion.
Barbara
Alan – this is great insight and advice. I have both a J.D. degree and SPHR certification and guess what– those only matter if I can demonstrate I have achieved results equivalent to what OTHERS would have expected me to achieve with them. Must be careful not to give the impression of “overselling” yourself.
Greg
Truly enjoyed this article. It made a lot of great points about being able to apply the knowledge learned. I take away many truths from this article that can also be applied in any situation. Great read and further encouragement to be action-oriented problem solvers. You are your own brand!
Greg – great point about not “overselling” yourself. Hope all is well on your end.
Alan
Such a GREAT article, thank you. #1, you are SO right. I have 26 years HR experience and an Associates Degree. All my many years of experience are much more valuable and important than degrees galore. On the spot experience stays with you… We shouldn’t get smaller raises, or no raises, because certain people think years of good experience doesn’t matter… Thanks.