Last week the focus of my HR Executive Forum peer group meeting was inward on ourselves, something we do too rarely …seems we still feel guilty and consider it a luxury to care for ourselves. We had great disucssions around a number of different topics ranging from how we keep current in our profession, what we think is on the horizon for HR and what our job utopias look like. Interestingly, and perhaps sadly, only a handful of us had actual Personal Development Plans, but on the other hand more than half of our participants actually feel they are in – or close to – their own personal utopia in current positions. Job utopia, what does that mean for HR executives? Here are some of thte things this gorup of executives came up with:

• I am cared for as a human being. People want to be here.
• There is respect throughout the organization. I am respected.
• I am challenged
• I am working across businesses – up, down and out.
• My opinion is sought out
• I can make a difference in the lives of employees
• I have a budget allowing me to respond to needs and be proactive
• The environment is not corrupt
• Everybody is treated fairly
• We get to be creative.

My favorite quotes from this session:
• You can love a company, but It cannot love you back.
• Are you outgrowing your company or is it outgrowing you?
• It is all about making choices. Fire employees with love.
• Do you want to grow up or grow out in your organization?
• How do you stop selling so hard and start asking powerful questions?
• In order to be successful as an HR executive you have to be curious about the business.
• Judge Judy gets to speak to people the way I wish I could. Plus, she makes a lot more money than I do.
• We are stuck in a mode of “business as usual” while reality is that innovators are the ones succeeding in .
• HR needs to be the department of yes, not the department of no.

This last point resonated with me. How many of you have worked in HR departments’ where what you do seems to be governed by a belief that it is your job to be the department of “no” and you are in essence placed in a “policing” role? Reminds me of a video clip someone sent to me a while ago (thank you Ashley….that one was good). Here is the link: NoNoNo