Recently, I came across a copy of HR magazine from November 2008 on my nightstand. (O.K., so you could say I’m more that a bit behind in my bedside reading but anyway…) I read a piece that is so relevant right now, almost a year later, written by Laurence O’Neil, the current President and CEO of SHRM, and thought it was most definitely worth sharing an excerpt…
Poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said of adversity: “when it is dark enough, you can see the stars”. In the gloom of today’s economy, and the uncertainty created by leadership changes in Washington, D.C., employers are seeking guidance through the storm. Now is the time for us to be the stars they see. Now is the time for HR professionals to shine.
These times demand the best of every executive, manager and front line employee-in other words, the best person for every job, the highest skills and productivity, the latest tools to help employees succeed, and a workplace free of anxieties and distractions.
That’s HR. The underlying strengths of our profession – the expertise we sometimes take for granted- allow us to navigate our organizations successfully through the economic winds of change. It’s why leading CEOs are turning increasingly to their human resource professionals and why it’s vital for us to seize the expectation of leadership. It’s also why we need to stand out for CEOs who don’t turn to HR first in challenging times. This is our chance to make an impression…and a difference.
An African proverb says that smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. We can and will grow stronger from this experience. So will our profession.
Navigating Rough Seas requires stars. Now is our time.
Inspiring…
