As I launch this I am posting a blog from earlier this year. I’ll catch up to real time soon.
I’m trying to optimistic. Well actually, I’m trying to hide in my office until the headache goes away. I’m on a break from our annual departmental planning meeting and I’m trying to avoid getting dragged into another impromptu meeting. The headache is my own fault. The spot on my desk reserved for the gentle banging of my forehead is getting worn out a little too early this year. It’s the beginning of the year and I was expecting a little more time before the ‘fun’ would start. A little break from the “got a few minutes” conversations that slowly steal away my precious January.
Each year I try to start the year with joyous optimism. I’m fresh from a well deserved 4 day Christmas break where I’ve successfully deluded myself into thinking that the past frenetic, reactive, and downright crazy 12 months were just a glitch; an anomaly really. It couldn’t possibly be like that next year. I’m looking at the new year as a clean slate ready to be filled with the Important projects that I’ve have been trying to find time to work on since 2008. It’s ready to be filled with time exploring new books to broaden my management knowledge, designing new and informative training programs to educate the employee base, and building my sometimes questionable management staff into developmental and motivational giants. Proactive is the word for January. My team and I hold planning meetings to map out the year, create aggressive project plans spread over four quarters, determine responsibilities, and set our course for a productive and company changing year. I encourage any HR department to take the time to do the same. It’s a great time in our department as we are all bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to charge forward. Yeah.
As I said, proactive is the word; optimism abounds. The phone calls started early this year.
“Can I come and see you? I have a problem with one of my managers and her PTO use.” Sure come on over.
“You know that position you have been working on filling for me. I know you have all the candidates qualified and ready for me to interview but I talked to my VP and they’ve approved my plan to go in another direction with the position. That’s not a problem, right?” Ok. Let’s sit down and discuss the new position.
“The information you provided for the vacation plans isn’t right for my staff. I know I approved the numbers but when my people looked them over they told me there were mistakes.” Not a problem. Send me the information, I’ll investigate and make corrections.
The first few weeks of January have passed quickly. My optimism is wavering but these three brief days of planning meetings are bolstering my reserve for now. My team’s focus and determination during the meetings are proving to be a shield from the outside forces trying to siphon my time and attention. Their company is a sanctuary from the crazy. It’s safe and warm place where hope and big hairy goals are real. They are a fun, smart and hard working group. They keep me grounded when I become full of myself and focused when I’m not always consistent. I’m enjoying the time and may be childishly ignoring the demands and requests but its January and there’s plenty of time to play in the world of interruptions and reactive meetings. I just want to be optimistic a little while longer.
“Got a few minutes?” Yeah come on in…..
The Sarcastic HR Manager 