Little Footprints

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". 

“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 nurser...

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 wo...

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 ...

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 . ...

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!

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 ...