Weekly Reflection 16.0 || Culture--YES, we are different!

I think I'm going to try to continue my blog posts about my reflections.

This week, I was struck with the question "Why do we not care for our employees or value our employees like the rest of the world does"?

There are countries that value their elderly, where as, we simply throw ours away.

Our culture is overworked, yet some cultures value a break in the middle of the day.

In taking this week's survey, I'm a little bit of everywhere with it--it was hard not to change answers - when there are so many biases in today's culture.

The one thing I'm still thinking about is the Uncertainty Avoidance.  Why aren't we more careful with those major decisions, we enjoy risks - why is that?

Maybe it's because of our founding fathers taking that risk so long ago to venture out into the unknown against England?

So many things can be written about Culture.  One thing is certain, we have learn to live in harmony and be tolerant of other cultures and ultimately respect one another.  We may not agree on everything, but we be respectful of each culture and decision(s).

Weekly Reflection 14.0 || Know Your Value

It's was Tuesday morning.  I have been so frustrated with my job lately - I have had so many "Don't they see" moments.  I work very hard, I rarely say 'no'. Why do I feel like they (management, my bosses) don't like me?

One of my bosses advised me to read the book "Know Your Value" by Mika Brzezinksi.  

At first, I was a little taken back with why is he giving me a self-help book.  I know MY value, I wanna know why they don't?  Then I started to read it.

A quote that stuck with me through out me reading it was:

"Women have been brought up on emotion.  Feeling loved by your bosses, doesn't mean you are 
being valued."

Yup, there it is--black and white.  Was I really concerned about being liked rather than being valued?

It's such a good book--since Tuesday, I stopped apologizing for things--yeah, totally stopped saying sorry for work things.

I mean, obviously I will apologize if the situation warrants it, but why should I be timid - I need to go for it.

She even advised to take  the same survey this week's questionnaire did to determine if you have a subconscious bias.  She pointed at the fact that in Norway, 40% of a company's board members bust be female.  One of the main reasons is that it has an impact on how much men do get paid.  We all know that women get $0.83 for every $1.00 (mothers make less than that!) a man makes (due to a 2016 survey).

Then I took this questionnaire---guess what?  I have a bias--men are leaders, women are supporters.  I really thought I would  it would be the other way around, however, Rome WAS NOT built in a day.  

I am definitely working on improving to ensure I do not have a bias.

With that, I'm also working on my confidence too!

Here are the results to my survey!

Weekly Reflection 13.0 || Quid Pro Yo!!!

Yup, you heard it Quid Pro Quo - heard this phrase WAY TO MUCH this week.

I used to only associate this with sexual harassment, now in the media, it is way more prevalent with the impeachment process going on and this phrase being thrown around...

Then I realized, I got hit with it.

I wanted to throw the employees in my office a nice holiday party this year.  We have all worked hard and I thought what a way to end it.  Upper management told me sure-----but first I need to get a project done (which takes about 24 man hours to complete) before I leave for Thanksgiving break.  If I get THAT done, I can throw the party.

It all comes down to one activity. One report and I'm afraid I'm going to let my team down. 

But here I am, rocking this report on a Sunday so I can accomplish this goal.

Yeah, it's a goal, right??!!  Or is it Quid Pro Quo?

With that said, I decided to take the survey with my leadership team in mind. I wonder if I should share this with other members of the team?  I know I definitely need to improve on many areas - but is it my job to ensure other people improve in their areas too?  Something to ponder next week!

It can only get better, right???

Ohhhhhh....here are the results to my survey

Weekly Reflection 12.0 || Wow

This week's survey, I scored highest on Duty Ethics.

I was content with this as it validated:

1. I follow the rules and do what I think I am supposed to do when facing ethical dilemmas
2. I focus on fulfilling my responsibilities and doing what I think is the right thing to do.

After I took the survey, I was dealt with a dilemma.

Should I submit an application with what I know to be true (and correct and right) or submit the application with how my boss says to do it?  Find out next week....I will update you to see what happens.

____

I updated the application to what my boss said to--and we were actually able to correct the information that I saw.  I'm still torn as to if it was REALLY the correct information--I do have it documented that this is why I did what I did.

Weekly Reflection 11.0

Wow, another week accomplished and I'm soooo drained!

However, I really liked the fact that I was able to reflect on what I learned with how I am professionally and where I "fit" in at church.

I took the questionnaire with my job in mind.  It's definitely different than my life as a follower in church.

I was kinda proud of myself - I was EXEMPLARY! Really, YESSSSSS. Woot!

Then I watched this video.

So yes, I'm exemplary at work---but personally (and in church) guess what, I "alienated" myself.

I have been so disengaged in church because I put my career first.

MIND.BLOWN.

My question----why do I have two followers living in me.  Why can't I be just one?

I went to church just last Sunday - the first time in FOREVER.  Now I'm watching videos on what kind of follower I am.  Woah.

Why is it so hard? (Weekly Reflection 10.0)

This week, I have struggled with a dilemma.  I brought it up to my senior leadership to only be told to "leave him alone...he wakes up at 5a..."

I brought up something that is losing a company money AND possibly not treating all employee(s) equally.

I am at a stall right now.  So this is all I 'm going to write about.  PLUUUUS I haven't received any surveys back :-(

Chapter 11 Survey
Results

Let's hope I find a good resolution to this dilemma I have soon.

Sweetheart, Honey...and your Momma

Today, while I was driving to Urgent Care (I fell---hard...in a parking garage), I decided to stop by my parents to stay hi...and well, who doesn't want their momma to look at their injuries?

I wasn't there too long--but long enough to hear all of the terms of endearment my dad used on my mother.  "Honey..."; "Sweetheart..." .

The funny thing is, I answered to all of them--conversations meant for my mother.

My dad laughed and said "I was talking to your mom"....

My parents used these words with me (and my sister) growing up--how would I not know he wasn't talking to me? 

The point that I'm getting across--I'm 41 years old and I still like being called "honey". 

Weekly Reflection 9.0

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28)

I couldn't help but correlate this chapter to the Bible.  Jesus taught us in the New Testament that all leadership should be servant leadership.

I did not always grow up as a Christian.  I did not seek Jesus until I was 24.  I wasn't in a leadership role at all (work-wise).  My husband and I soon became in charge of a small youth group.  THAT is where I started serving.  I served not only my Savior but the kids I worked for.  This set the stage for how I would view leadership later in life.

For the past year or so, I have struggled with getting back to church and be a servant there.  This week, it has been nagging on my heart to go back to church.  They are looking for volunteers in the nursery and I believe I want to do that, because if I'm engaged at church, I may find my way back to the congregation.

I know this post is going waaaaay out of left field--but this is what I needed to write about this week.  Today, was the first day I called in sick to work in a very long time.  I started the week with a bad cough and today I ran a slight fever.  Was God making me "slow down" and take time for myself?  Absolutely.  There is a huge reason I was to dive into Servant Leadership this week.  Thank you!

In addition to writing in my blog this week, I asked my co-workers how they viewed my leadership.

I asked a Peer and a Follower (or someone that reports directly to me).
Here are the results of those two surveys and I am pleased that I will continue to be a Servant Leader.

With me struggling to get back to my church home, it's no wonder I scored lowest in: Creating value for the community and Putting Followers First.

This week was definitely God tapping me on the shoulder, knocking at my door, wanting to welcome me back home.

Weekly Reflection 8.0

Soooooooo......last week was challenging!  I traveled for the first time since 9/11 and was introduced to TSA real fast, I had to work and complete my assignment for 4 classes.

Part of my trip to DC, I made it my goal to visit Arlington National Cemetary.  I'm not one to do things by myself.  Taking a tour by myself was exactly what I needed that afternoon.  I was so moved by the graves.  Graves of people (even under aged kids) that fought for this country, because they did what was right.  They did what they did to keep this country free.

Arlington National Cemetary
October 9, 2019

Me at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (October 9, 2019)

I traveled back to Kansas City that evening.  When I got off the plane--I received a flood of text messages that my grandfather had passed.  The last of my grandparents.

It hit me hard, I already had anxiety of traveling by myself, working and accomplishing school work, now this, what in the world??

At his funeral, I found out a lot about my grandfather--that he fought in the Korean War (as a teenager); came home to marry my grandmother--they spent over 56 years together--doing the right thing.

They never had a lot of money--but they spoiled us grandkids--doing the right thing.

I never went to church as a kid, but I still had a moral compass--doing the right thing (or so I thought)

As an HR director, I am famous for always presenting the most "correct-thing" to my fellow executive team.  However, I'm torn, because they don't always see the way I see things.  Sometimes the most correct is not always right (weird how that works)!

Taking the questionnaire for this week was really revealing.  Because I scored high on Balanced Processing (Being of Fair Mind) and Relational Transparency (Be Genuine).

One weakness was Internalized Moral Perspective (Doing the Right Thing).  This hit me kind of hard---like am I doing the right thing?  I think I am--but apparently, maybe I'm not.

So now I sit here--on a Friday night, determined and planning to DO THE RIGHT THING.

Weekly Reflection 7.0

It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do.  We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do

-Steve Jobs

As I'm sitting in my hotel room in DC today, I'm really cognizant of leadership styles in this city.  I didn't realize that I need to be able to "walk the walk" meaning, I need to be able to speak to my position.  My boss made the statement - "that's why you are here---you know your job".

With that said, I need to make sure members of my team know that they are valued and they are not to do "what I tell them" to do.  I need to empower them to do the very best they can with the resources they have.  I need to be more trusting and trust my team's instincts.  I need them to feed the team, not to fix it.

I know it's not a long post this time, but really appreciate the growth I've encountered so far and can't wait to see how this is and will help me.

Click here to view this week's questionnaire!

Weekly Reflection 6.0

I struggled with a little with this week's chapter.  I get along great with all of my bosses---I tend to use "their" techniques with my relationship with my employees--open and honest.  On the outside, it may look like I "suck up" to get ahead.  My boss is extremely transparent with me, my department and my strategic goals--I pass that same transparency to my team.

I don't think I "suck up"---I network!  I surround myself with the people that I want to be like--see how they do it and work towards my goals with the same drive.  

I'm going to school--you have no idea how long I've thought about it...surrounding myself around people in academia or those that have degrees, made me WANT it.  It's a lot more than reading text-books, it's all about networking.

I am always brutally honest with my questionnaires---I included two copies of this weeks--one with the relationship with my leader and one for my follower.

I'm not where I am to "make friends".  I am here for the greater good of not only the company(ies) I manage, but to develop myself to become the best I personally can be (yup---Army Brat here) :-)

Weekly Reflection 5.0

Yup.  I did it.  I'll do it again too--a little bit of praise goes a long way.  I've doubted my leadership capabilities for years and I think after assessing this week's questionnaire, there's no doubt.  My goal is to support my team and HELP them to grow.  I never did like someone calling me their 'boss'---but helping someone achieve their goals---yeah, I like that. 

This week, I was able to see my team thrive with the checklist(s) I have been providing.  We are working together more than ever and I truly do enjoy seeing him taking on more tasks and not needing me to TELL HIM what to do.

Listening to my team with how they work best (what motivates them)--has truly help me become less stressed.  I am really wanting to help my team achieve their goals, while they are helping me (and our team thrive!

I think you can tell what behaviors I possess??  Take a look here---and here!

Here's to another great week in HR!

Weekly Reflection 4.0

Challenge Accepted

So remember my situation last week--about me being specific.  Well we are still working through some things.  We were able to complete the daunting task.

One thing I discovered--is this guy loves checklist(s).  He thrives on list(s).  He is competent, I know he is--his education says so.  I needed to find what makes "him tick".  

What I started this week is really work through how I can help him and me communicate better.  I am not one to be a micro-manager--but guess what, that's exactly what this person needs.

I was able to create our department a Microsoft Teams channel with all of the tasks that we do as a department and I assign them to him and I.  So far, this has been working beautifully.  Next thing I do is have him copy me on every e-mail that way I know he is following up when he should.  Again, I hate micro-managing, but this seems to work for both of us.

Earlier this week, I was ready to let him go for not completing a task timely which enabled us losing 3 employees.  I went to my executive team and they said that I need to mentor him and he is a good challenge for me.

So now, not only, am I trying to get my department task(s) done---I'm trying to mentor someone.

Challenge Accepted. 

This is my answer with regards to the Leadership Questionnaire for this week.

Weekly Reflection 3.0

Duck, Duck, GOOSE!

I learned so much about myself this week - I mean fo' real!  First off, I can't expect employees to read my mind.  I also should not expect for employees to give the same effort I do--or do it like I would have done.

This week, I gave a member of my team a task and wanted to see how he would go about it--this little task, I barely gave him instruction (yet, he knew the urgency).  Thinking he would roll with it, and put 110% effort in it was my first mistake.

When the task did not get done as quickly as I wanted it to--I re-evaluated my approach.  First, I wasn't clear in the expectations of the task, assignment.  I loomed over him like a hawk--asking him if he needed assistance.  He insisted no.  With each no, I was getting more impatient.

So, yes - people need guidance.  Clear guidance.  Instead of providing him an assignment, if I wanted it done a certain way or done a specific time--I should have spoke the truth and told him.

I also did not take into account that this employee worked late the night before doing school work (I can't fault him for that)...I didn't listen--I 'heard' it.  But--I didn't listen.

For once, I know I failed.  I wasn't clear AT ALL and here I was being agitated when, in all honesty, he should have been agitated with me.

I took the brunt of the work home last night to work on it - because--in all honesty, we are a team and I will pick up where my team left off.

Note to Self - if you want specific results, be specific.

We are still working on this huge daunting task.--we are working on a team and are communicating more than what we did earlier.

The results of the survey can be found here 

Weekly Reflection 2.0

"Everyone has a Chapter They Don't Read Aloud"

This week was focused on taking a Skills Inventory  (You can click on the link to view my assessment of myself).

Wow, totally doesn't look like the HR Executive my company paints me to be does it?

Or does it?  I'm slowly growing into my role, day by day--trusting myself more an more.

The Chapter I don't read aloud?  Oh the time where I'm among HR professionals and they ask, "oh wow, Director of HR, where did you go to school?"

"uuuuum.....Donnelly College"

They probe more only to find out, I have an associates degree.  Yup, Director of HR has only an associates degree.  Everyone has a Chapter They Don't Read Aloud.

I never explain that I spent years as an administrative assistant. I fell into an HR Role in my mid-30s and had a true passion for it.  My mentor was a retired VP of HR for Sprint--now retired from work altogether.  He taught me everything I know about HR. Introduced me to the right people, provided the right resources and boom - VP of HR, 6 years later.

Now I want the education to go with it.  Yes, I have a 'brilliant' personality and I know Excel on a way more intimate level than most.  I want to take it a step above.  I want to be conceptual, I want to be more than the girl who does reports or processes payroll or has those less than stellar conversations that no one else wants to have with employees.  I want to be more than the HR Department of One.

I want to be a business partner.  I want to be more.

Will I ever read this chapter out loud?  Totally - it's online for all to see. :-)

Weekly Reflection 1.0

I'm not going to lie. When I think of Leadership--my name is never top on my list. Why? I'm a process-person, not one to facilitate leadership type-activities, but if you need it done, I'm your person.

After taking this survey, I was able to ponder why I answered the way I did on some of the questions:

I am not self-confident - I mean, after getting my SHRM-CP, I started to see myself as an HR professional. However, every time I am faced with a difficult issue, like a scientist, I had to have 'proof' for my reasoning--even if I knew for a fact, I was right, I always second-guess myself.

Is there such thing as an introverted HR Director? I am friendly and outgoing and love to help my employees--at home, I tend to love to sit on the couch and read than hang out with friends (Weird I know).

I am so diligent and persistent, I come across as annoying (I'm sure!).

Anywhoo...with my "army-brat" background, it was ground in me "If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Well!". That quote has stuck with me through out my life, it is the reason, I always put my best in everything.

I know I don't have a ton of the traits that makes a leader, but I do have some. Throughout this course, I hope to either: focus on the traits I know I have control over: such as keeping my eye on the prize and finish this darn degree (that has taken me 20 years to even consider doing) (Persistence), Keep being friendly, diligent and determined; but also try and get better at articulating my vision, work on my confidence (as I doubt EVERYTHING) and try at least one thing "outside of the box" (try to be outgoing). I will do this---because it will be worth it in the end.

Take a look around my blog--(it hasn't been written on in a long time)...thought why not try it again!


Here's my survey that I administered through Survey Monkey

Create your own user feedback survey

Here are the results:

Leadership Traits Questionnaire Results!

The results definitely tell a story - a story, I hope to re-write one day.