Appreciating Human Resources

I know several people who work in the Human Resources department of their firms. Each spends considerable time upgrading their skills and keeping current with the latest government regulations. They are well qualified and highly capable individuals.

Okay, while I do appreciate my Human Resources friends, that's not what I meant with the title! In accounting terms, when something appreciates, it increases in value. What I’m talking about is increasing the value of your human resources ... the people in your organization.

The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership. - Harvey S. Firestone

How can we increase the value of the individuals on our team? Try these ...

V – Value Each Individual. Adding value to people begins by valuing them individually. Each person in your organization is someone of worth, not only because of their contributions, but because they are human beings. They deserve your respect. Value them for the unique individuals that they are.

Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back. - Princess Diana

A – Acknowledge Their Dreams. Everyone has them. While you can't help them with all their goals, you can do something about the ambitions they have that are relevant to your organization. If you can determine what those aspirations are and begin to do what you can to help turn them into realities, their personal growth and their loyalty to you will skyrocket.

L – Lead From Service. Serve your people. Obviously, if you are the leader, you can't be their servant in every area. But you can keep your eyes open to ways that you can help make their jobs, tasks, lives ... a little easier. This is ancient wisdom, but it is as true today as it was thousands of years ago. People thrive in an environment where their leaders make a priority of looking for ways to serve.

The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. - Colin Powell

U – Unlock Their Potential. Each person on your team has within them a gold mine of promise. How do you extract it? Constantly put resources in their hands (like my books or this email). Challenge them with new opportunities. Stretch them to act and think in ways that may be unfamiliar. Remember, though, you can't expect your people to stretch and grow if you are rigid and inflexible!

If I had more skill in what I'm attempting, I wouldn't need so much courage. - Ashleigh Brilliant

E – Embrace Every Attempt. For people to grow, they must be allowed to fail. Learn from the failure, and move forward. You must give your team the freedom to make the attempt to achieve. Every time your people try something new and challenging, even if they fail, celebrate the initiative and courage it took to try.

When we add value to our people, we will appreciate our appreciating human resources!