I’m about to get personal. I am about to open up. But there is a point to all this, I promise.

Sometimes in order to get comfortable, you have to get uncomfortable.

Its 1975… Life is unexpected – Life deals you a hand. You and everyone else around have to decide how to play it.

Sometimes you go where life tells you. Other times you tell life where to lead you.

I am a twin. My sister and I were born in between a street, in front of hotel, and an ambulance somewhere on the way to a hospital. My birth mother had mental issues. She lived in that hotel and on the street. I was dropped from a tree at 2 months old. My sister and I were battered and bruised. When the state of California tried to find us a home, no one wanted us. Twins, born to a mentally ill mother, living sometimes on the streets of San Francisco… I don’t know many people who would want to take in that kind of responsibility.

Statistically, we had a 3 in 4 chance of developing the same issues and being a problem most of our lives to the parents who would take us in.

Its 1976…

When the home that eventually became our adoptive family received us at 3 months old, we were in state of fear and could barely be touched as a result of that fear. Within a month we were smiling…

As my mom (adoptive mom) would say after she took us in – All it takes is a little love to change things around!

Its 1982… Sometimes adversity is the only reason we are able to reach new heights

I lived in a small town where the Ku Klux Klan regularly had parades about a block from my house. I, personally, was not accepted in any crowd nor did I have many friends. Much because of the tone of my skin. Yet fear did not stay on my heel’s for long. I had other things to deal with. So I ran track, cross-country, swam and played football and baseball.

I had asthma. Fast forward…

Its 1994…

Considered an outsider I barely thought about college. Did not have any resources to get me ready or even put me in a state of mind academically or personally to strive for a college education. I applied to one school and luckily made it in. Even then I was really undecided as a student. Fast Forward…

Its 1998… Life is something that starts when you decide to live it

I graduated from my program 3 ½ 4 years later.,,

I started working and decided to get another degree…

Its 2002… Life sometimes changes your plans

I started to study for the GMAT and flunked 2x. I have never been a good test taker but my grades and scholastic aptitude was always high. So since I was already taking some pre-requisite classes and because I liked Information Technology, I decided to get a degree in that. I also wanted to be ready for any emerging technology. I at least wanted to be able to translate what those requirements would mean and understand how it contributed to my own work and the work of others.

Its 2010… Life knows that if you’re patient…

A lot of things got in the way of me starting, getting in and completing an advanced degree. Yet a few days later, after my official walk, I am an MBA graduate – Summa Cum Laude.

Life is not about statistics

By many statistics (based on the circumstances surrounding my birth, what little I know of family medical history, race, background, education and surroundings, etc etc.) by all intensive purposes, I should not be where I am. I should not be as intelligent as some may say or have the life that I have acquired. I should not have a healthy son, a loving family or advanced degrees. I should not…

All that to say this: If I believed in all statistics, then I’d never been who I am.

Official Grad Walk, MBA - May 2010

I hear people complain everyday: about their jobs, family life, money issues. I hear frustrations and disbelief pertaining to politics, the economy and the world.

The thing is, statistically, we have it very good in comparison to the rest of the world.

I would probably not have been able to graduate in the upper 5% of my high school, upper 10% of my college, and upper 2% of my MBA class. I would have never received 3 degrees, much less completed my MBA. I most likely would have been unmarried with children, dead before 30, resentful and definitely not positive. If I was lucky enough to stay alive I would not be healthy myself, with a relatively healthy family, nor have a savings, retirement, pension, etc. etc.

The Point to all this… DON’T BE A STATISTIC

While statistics are important to help us make decisions on business, personal and professional activities; they are not the end all be all to life. Statistics help us use data to interpret and strategically approach how we will direct our lives and plan for hiccups along the way.

All I am saying is use statistics to your benefit and get ahead. Do not put so much weight on the data that you don’t do anything to change the negative result. Do that and you’re just another statistic.

I for one, don’t want to be. I still have 31.2 years to break a few more!

So what are your thoughts? Are you a statistic?

Here some brief statistics I fall under:
Adopted
Asthma
Being a twin (http://www.twinsworld.com/stats.shtml )
Black/Multi-Racial
Black males in their early 30s are twice as likely to have prison records (22 percent) than bachelor’s degrees (12 percent). 13 percent of Blacks ages 16-24 have not earned a high school credential
Born under 4 pounds
Foster Home
Applied to only one college
Small town with racial bias
Under 5’9’
Single parent household

 When I was in College obtaining my first degree I worked with students. I was a Diversity Advocate and later became a Resident Assistant and Residence Life Coordinator within the dormitories of the university. This was probably the subconscious start to my career within HR and Learning Development.

I was an RA for 3 summers for a summer program called Groups, in which I also began my career. I still have much respect for the program. At some point in the beginning of the programs I would hold an orientation that many students would attend to ask questions, and address what they would face in their transition from High School to College life.

The Example I Used was this: Think about your life as a chalk board. In high school you had friends, classes, grades that you built up from the time you were in middle school. A reputation if you can imagine. Your teachers, family, friends all had opinions of your ethics, school work and personality. Now think of all the actions and activities you did. All through your schooling, you wrote on that chalk board that was your life. Everyone could see who you were, how you acted, what you weren’t, etc. etc. By the time you left high school it was filled for all to see.

Now you’re in college. Most people here do not know you. Your parents aren’t around to watch you from day to day. You have new teachers and acquaintances. You have a chance to erase that chalkboard and start over fresh. The difference now is that what you write on your board could become more permanent. What will you write on your board?

I tell this story to say that what you project is important.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a Brand as:

1 a (1) : a mark made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership (2) : a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark b (1) : a mark put on criminals with a hot iron (2) : a mark of disgrace : stigma <the brand of poverty>

2 a : a class of goods identified by name as the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make b : a characteristic or distinctive kind <a lively brand of theater> c : brand name 2

What's the impression you leave

Interesting information don’t you think? Merriam’s would lead you to the assumption that a Brand is not only actions taken, but something that could be considered permanent. Now Seth Godin is considered one of the definitive guru’s on branding and social media. There are plenty of others but when his name is brought up, people think: branding, social media, innovation, etc. etc.

Seth’s definition of a BRAND is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another. If the consumer (whether business, a buyer, a voter or a donor) doesn’t pay a premium, make a selection or spread the word, then no brand value exists for that consumer.

Another interesting definition would you agree. My simple thought would be whether you like it or not, you have a brand. The way you walk, what you say, how you interact with the people around you and those you barely have contact with.

The Equation: Who you are + How you act + Someone’s Perception = Your Brand.

Many of us would disagree. Yet there is much truth to this. In an age where we have loads of personal and professional information being interconnected and advertised. Being passed across blogs, social media, chat streams, blog talk radio and everyday within limited/extrapolated interactions; we have and project a brand that burns itself into the people that we come across.

"today you are you, that is truer than true. there is no one alive who is youer than you." Dr. Suess

Whether you own up to the Brand-That-Is-You does not matter. There are those that will make decisions and assumptions based on that brand. It could be in an interview, at a networking event, in an employee intervention, or with your family in the confines of your own home. Regardless think about the impression that you leave. Think about what you write on your chalk board.

NOTE: I have been a writer for more than 9 years. I started blogging by writing poetry and short stories. Much of who I am is introspective and brash with a kind of self-conscious confidence. I am a smart ass that apologizes quickly. My personal feeling is that many people are like this, but often not honest about it.

Phil/Tiger - Ryder Cup

I admit, I never thought nor did I care much about Golf. Even when all the hype started around Phil Mickelson and Tiger’s first pair-up (I may be wrong on the when) I didn’t know much about the game. Golf channel, schmolf channel.
I heard about it but of course I had never played golf in my life. I did start to gain interest in the game as I started to get more into corporate and leadership roles. Golf was the game to play if you wanted to network within business. While some may feel this is true, I finally took the first step in my addiction in August of 2008.

There is a golf course behind where I live and because of a good deal I said “what the heck, might as well try.” So I went to the range with a pro to get sized and he took out a 6 iron (typical club to get a feel and start with the game). I took my first swing and an immediate rush came through me, “Woooo, this feels cool.” Since then I have been hooked. Mind you, I am not consistent, but I now play with a score in the 90’s, which I have heard is not bad. I have learned a lot from the game that can be applied to the profession of Human Resources.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice: Before I even started playing on a course I spent 6 weeks on the golf range. An area where all you do is hit range balls into a somewhat open field. I have been told this is the best way to start. It helps you begin to get a feel for how far you can hit each club, the basics of your swing and just get comfortable before you get a chance to hate the game. I believe that any profession takes practice. The more an HR pro can take the time within and outside of their regular environment, focus on the basics of the people and processes of their job; the better they will be able to address real problems and projects that need attention.

Before the shot

Take time to get familiar with the landscape: Some of the best golf courses have great landscapes and scenery. Many times the beauty is a illusion to the challenges of each hole. This diversity within each course is never the same from hole to hole. There maybe some similarities but no hole is the same. This is why you first need to assess the landscape and begin to think about what information you have to get closer to par.

In HR, we run into compliance, employee and business issues all the time. If we do not first assess the situation and all of its aspects, we cripple the effectiveness that we could have. HR.com has plenty of resources for assessments. If you understand and assess the situation as it relates to the correct context, you can take a better approach when making a decision and/or recommendation.

How are you doing and what could you do better?

Know your strengths/weaknesses: Another thing I learned on the range and when I finally got out to the course was where I was good and bad. I began to see what I needed work on and where I was OK. I knew from the beginning that I had a good drive (which still could use work), my short game from the fairway was horrible and my putting was OK. When I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses I was better able to fix areas in my game as well as identify where I needed more work.

Not everyone is good at benefits. Some people are better at training than reviews. The key is to know your strengths and match them to the aspects of the work that you do. The more HR can identify the strengths and areas of improvement in their own productivity, relationships with customers and colleagues, breakdowns in communication, etc. the more we can become more effective.

Patience: I am a pretty patient person. The best golf courses offer a wide open area with beautiful scenery is just one of the perks for being out on the course. The environment helps you think about what your next move will be as well as clear your mind from any other distractions that I may face. It doesn’t matter what happens with my family, job situation, people or circumstances; golf helps to clear my mind and focus on one thing at a time. I am sometimes able to come up with new ideas that I otherwise would not have had if I was not on the course. I also take time for me which is one of the most important things you can do. Regardless of the activity, take time out and do what you enjoy so you can be a joy while doing what you have to do.

Nike Slingshot 4D

Which Club (Tool): At the start, I had no idea the point of 14 different clubs were. All I knew was that I needed to hit the ball as far as I could regardless of what club I used. As I have gained more knowledge and practice; I have realized what each clubs purpose and distance is. The clubs are tools that can help you get closer to the hole. For every player, the distance and accuracy is different. Some may hit a 9 iron 150 yards, while another person may only hit 110. The important thing that I learned as I played more was which club to use when.

In HR there are many tools: from LMS to HRIS, SAP and Databases. We have employee reviews, 360’s, vendors for benefits and legal compliance. Even the programs we create for performance management. All of these items are tools to help us do our job and ultimately become a better function and partner to the business. Know what tools you have available and what the purpose of those tools are before you just start hitting!

Where do you want to be?

Strategy: When you are on the course, there are so many things you have to address. The course lie, which club to use, the wind, stance, grip, ball flight, etc., etc. (besides being a HR dork, I am also a golf dork – I know – you can clown me later). With all these factors you have to think about the step you take well before you putt. You have to set up your tee shot and your approach. You also need a strategic plan, which determines your approach to the hole at any point in time.

HR also needs to have a strategic plan, which not every person is effective at beginning. This is a “thinking plan” that goes over the next year or more and how HR will get to where it wants to go as well as what metrics will measure its success. For golf the metric is simple, make par or less. For HR there are many factors to your plan and how that plan ties to the entire organization, product or program.

Colleagues: When I started to play golf, I barely knew of anyone that played. As soon as I started and people found out, I came to realize how many people were connected through the game. It was like I had bought a new Honda CRV and now all of a sudden I noticed how many CRV’s were on the road. A commonality began to form. Before I knew it, people I would have never met or come into contact with, I was now able join in for a game. There are many people that I network with as a result. Side note: like seeing someone waiting for an interview in the lobby, you can get to know a lot about a person’s character by watching how they approach the game of golf.

Work towards perfection, but understand you are not perfect!

Understand that you will never be the BEST, but you can always get better: I would love to be like the pros and have the greatest drive, approach, short and putting game. The reality is that I could probably never give the commitment or energy to become that great. Even the best players in the world will not be the best for long. There will always be someone that can do better. Get over it. This is life. Do the best you can and approach every aspect of your job the best you can. It may or may not always be what is desired but regardless, no one can be perfect, but with the WILL, they can get better!

I have learned so much and hope to learn more from the game. I just hope, like in any game of life, that I get better with time, energy, knowledge and practice.

Hello

I am a researcher. I like to dig and learn about anything and everything that pertains to my interest as well as my current insanity. In my research and my profession, I have come across articles and blogs that hold a wealth of information. Anything from big name consultants and practitioners within the industry of Human Resources, to the no-name candidates that scribble words on their online papers to express their feelings and thoughts on anything from employment, recruiting, talent and corporate structure to the personal ethics, personal hygiene, personal likes and dislikes of the workplace.

In all this research and surfing the wild, wild world of the web, I very seldom come across anything within the highway of the web for HR, training, organizational development,  talent management, etc from a non-research, non-academic view. Not even when I do searches on Google do I find anything of the sort. Can you believe that, GOOGLE? Not to say there aren’t any other blogs out there and I am not saying that studies, statistics and the legal aspect are approaches that are not needed, but many times we forget to truly put the HUMAN back in Human resources. Stating facts and canned approaches can, at times, be lacking in how we actually practice as professionals. Oh well, so in this blog lie’s my purpose; to discuss issues, personal thoughts, misgivings, celebrations and unorthodox approaches in and around the world of HR and Talent Management. Taking anything from personal to common stories – even some general situations – and possibly connect to heart of how we, as professionals, need to better practice within the workplace and in life.

In my thoughts in order to be malleable and fluid for the times, HR will need to change its approach. Please enjoy this cyberspace journey and don’t plan for anything. Just plan to be surprised.