What I Did Before HR
What do you do?
The important people in my life now know what I do for work. I lead a staff of 11-14 people providing human resource services to an organization of 1300 employees - blah, blah, blah.
But not many of the important people in my life now knew me before I was started working in human resources. Hey, where'd everyone go? Isn't it funny how people come and go from our lives as we continue to keep moving forward? There are a core few who follow us through thick and thin, ups and downs, connections missed and opportunities seized but so many are lost along the way.
Right out of college, I entered active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant and 10 years later left active duty after my last assignment teaching ROTC at the University of Pennsylvania as a Captain.
In addition to gaining an appreciation for German beer, traveling across Europe and having a pretty tight shot group, I learned a little bit about leadership. Here are two quick thoughts I'd like to leave you with on this Friday morning:
Respect. There's a lot of saluting going on - literally and figuratively. People salute rank out of respect. Individuals earn respect one decision and one conversation at a time. Don't confuse respect for rank, position or title as respect for the individual and never stop earning respect.
Values. There are leaders whose values will not align with yours or who will ask (need) you to be something you are not; they will want you to be just like them.Don't confuse commitment and dedication to a leader with commitment and dedication to yourself and never stop being true to your values.
On that note, have a wonderful, relaxing weekend and stay cool.
July 23, 2009
Reader Comments (8)
"Don't confuse respect for rank, position or title as respect for the individual and never stop earning respect" is a wonderful statement . Thanks for that
BTW - before I did what I do now I used to be a tax consultant which was a career that flowed directly from working in the UK Inland Revenue more years ago than I care to remember! That was a bit of a conversation stopper I tell you.
Seriously, I loved your line about earning respect one decision and one conversation at a time. So true. I'd add that the earlier you learn this in your career, the more successful you will ultimately be.
Duty assignments besides technical training tours - Incirlik CDI - Adana, Turkey; Davis-Monthan AFB - Tucson, AZ; F.E.Warren AFB - Cheyenne, WY; Woensdrectht APT, The Netherlands, Bitburg AB, Germany; Grand Forks AFB, ND, and Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex - Montgomery, AL. Temporary duty assignments - scattered.
For most of my service, I was in Communications Squadrons. Radio technician, quality control inspector, NCOIC - foreman, operations manager with a career capstone assignment as an Academic Instructor at the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy. I have seen B-1s, KC-135s and F-15s scramble on alert missions. Participated in NATO exercises and ICBM drills.
Career highlights include winning best comm team in the SAC Missile Combat Competition, joint service school attendance to the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island - I am an Honorary Senior Chief in the USNavy and being in Germany when the Wall camd down. Three Meritorious Service Medals, Three Commendation medals and two Achievement medals.
Yes, a lot of saluting and many candid cross-rank dialogues. "Sir with all due respect for yourself and our mission, I must disagree....." I even had several of my own lieutenants. (Note to self: when being counseled by my commander, IT IS NEVER PROPER to ask what he would do.)
I remember the uniform transition from boring fatigues to European forest battle dress uniforms. You would really be surprised by how effective they are in the forest.
Air Force core values. Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
HooRah
@Trish - you are not right!! too funny
Side note, before I fell face first into HR I worked in the financial industry from teller to branch management/loan officer to the back office work.
@April, after drinking German beer for 4 years, I was drinking American beer by the pitcher - but that's another story for another time!
Working out who was who, I came across the Assistant Cheif Executive.
"What does he do?" I said
"Oh he's the Assistant Chief Executive" was the reply from the manager I was helping
"Yes but what does he do?"
"Well, he is the emergency planning officer, I know that"
"hmmm how often do we have major emergencies around here?"
"Not very"
"so what does he do?"
"Like I said, he is the assistant Chief Executive"
"Yes but WHAT DOES HE ACTUALLY DO. How does he help us do our jobs, what do staff think of him"
"They think he is a prat, he always seems to have lots of time on his hands"
"Now we are getting somewhere.."
Bottom line was the manager I was helping didn't know and (as you say)he was confusing respect for rank with respect for the individual.