One of the lessons I learned during my time as a musician early in my college career was to "embrace the dissonance". As a fan of tonal music, this was something quite outside of my comfort zone and naturally made me feel uneasy.
For those that are not musically inclined, let me explain. In music you have two types of sounds that can occur together (generally speaking). You have consonance, and dissonance. The easiest example I can think of is to relate this to something we've all done: sneezing.
Think of how you feel normally during the day as consonance. Things are as they should be, your breathing is regular, and for the most part you feel at ease with the world. This is how we enjoy being because we feel comfortable and natural.
Then we feel this awkward feeling, one of discomfort. It is not painful, but it is away from our feeling of ease as we feel our eyes become squinty and our breathing become irregular and we feel a deep breath come on and then we hold it all in for a split second, then: aaaaAAAACHHOOOOO! That whole process is dissonance to your body, which eventually resolves itself to consonance and we feel so much better!!
So why am I talking about dissonance?
I had my first day of orientation for my new position, and at the end I had this crippling feeling of dread and discomfort. You see, I've never worked in human resources, EVER! All of my knowledge in the field is theoretical and book-based.
Understand that I believe I have the unlimited potential to do amazing things in my new position. I have a thirst for knowledge and my current field of study in my MBA is Human Resources. What I am lacking is a knowledge of how do even go about doing my day-to-day tasks. I know that my HR team is going to help train me and get me ready to go without throwing me in the proverbial "deep end", but it is a situation where I am not comfortable.
This is where I must remember to embrace the dissonance. It is when we are challenged and outside of our comfort zone that we have the opportunity to grow leaps and bounds, grasping hold of our potential to make our dissonant situations resolve into beautiful harmonies. It is during that tension before the resolution that we must live at times, in order to make the resolution more appreciated, more beautiful, and more harmonious.
I have a lot of days coming up where I will be outside of my comfort zone, and I am okay with that. In fact, I welcome it. Bring the noise, bring the funk!
"Embrace the dissonance..."
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
A Hidden Culture
Throughout my careers, many of my employers have mentioned each individual and unique culture that their institution values. These cultures typically are ones that were placed during the creation and evolution of the company, and if the company is large enough it is something even mandated by the corporate entity as something to be followed.
Themes such as "having fun", "respect cultures and individuality", "learning from challenge and change" are all examples of these different cultures. Sometimes the cultures can overlap, as most companies will always promote the concept of respect towards one another, and continuation of learning.
What happens when a culture is developed within a workplace that was never a creation of anyone working with or for the company?
You might ask yourself "How can someone create a culture if they are not part of the culture?" Creation and implementation are two different things, so let's discuss those differences first in order to bring light to the answer.
Creation at a basic term is the making of something that did not exist before. This creation does not have to be something tangible, only that it was not something that existed before.
Implementation is something serving as the tool for the facilitation. An example was that my shovel was implemented in order to plant a seed.
The culture I speak of that has been created has to do with one that can span many areas, yet I have seen the two areas of this occur vastly in education and retail. It is a culture of accepting someone doing something wrong, and letting someone else deal with it instead of sticking up against the wrong doing.
How many times have you heard of or even had someone else tell you that a student hit another student? Some people may think "big deal, they're kids" or "it happens all the time". Some others may hear that statement and visualize a high school male punching a female student in the jaw. That scenario does not sound as good, does it? However, many educators and administrators have repeatedly entered the culture of "do not retaliate, inform someone as soon as you can", that someone being a teacher or administrator. There is no culture of self-worth or self-respect here, as we have told that person to take the beating, and not stick up for one's self.
Retail has a similar issue. Many times it is around the holiday season, yet it can happen anytime. That customer that flies off at the handle, berating and belittling someone for simply doing their job. It could be that they refused to return something that had no receipt, or that they could not order an item because it physically does not exist and the customer believes they are lying. Management has told people time and time again, through policies or implied beliefs that the "customer is always right" and to take them acting this way towards them. Why is the employee not given the authority to tell them not to speak to them in such a manner, or to end the conversation, or have the customer removed from the store?
These are hidden cultures that exist, as I am sure other hidden cultures can be thought of throughout many workplaces. So, what do we do to combat cultures like this that are not in line with the views of how the employee and vital part of the organization should be treated?
Empowerment, ownership, and education.
Employers need to empower their employees with the ability to correct wrong doings that happen to them via either someone inside or outside of the company.
Employers need to educate employees on how to handle this matter themselves in a way that removes the negative cause of the situation and restores a positive working environment.
Employers need to give employees a sense of ownership over both their own situations and the company, so that they feel their actions will not be retaliated against for them speaking up in defense of themselves.
Hidden cultures can serve to undermine the positive visible cultural aspects that many employers wish to create. Giving employees the ability to create their own positive working environments can help to increase retention and overall work happiness. When an employee is happy at their job, they want to ensure that it remains a great place to work so that they can remain with the company.
"If you are lucky enough to be someone’s employer, then you have a moral obligation to make sure people do look forward to coming to work in the morning." - John Mackey, Whole Foods Markets
Themes such as "having fun", "respect cultures and individuality", "learning from challenge and change" are all examples of these different cultures. Sometimes the cultures can overlap, as most companies will always promote the concept of respect towards one another, and continuation of learning.
What happens when a culture is developed within a workplace that was never a creation of anyone working with or for the company?
You might ask yourself "How can someone create a culture if they are not part of the culture?" Creation and implementation are two different things, so let's discuss those differences first in order to bring light to the answer.
Creation at a basic term is the making of something that did not exist before. This creation does not have to be something tangible, only that it was not something that existed before.
Implementation is something serving as the tool for the facilitation. An example was that my shovel was implemented in order to plant a seed.
The culture I speak of that has been created has to do with one that can span many areas, yet I have seen the two areas of this occur vastly in education and retail. It is a culture of accepting someone doing something wrong, and letting someone else deal with it instead of sticking up against the wrong doing.
How many times have you heard of or even had someone else tell you that a student hit another student? Some people may think "big deal, they're kids" or "it happens all the time". Some others may hear that statement and visualize a high school male punching a female student in the jaw. That scenario does not sound as good, does it? However, many educators and administrators have repeatedly entered the culture of "do not retaliate, inform someone as soon as you can", that someone being a teacher or administrator. There is no culture of self-worth or self-respect here, as we have told that person to take the beating, and not stick up for one's self.
Retail has a similar issue. Many times it is around the holiday season, yet it can happen anytime. That customer that flies off at the handle, berating and belittling someone for simply doing their job. It could be that they refused to return something that had no receipt, or that they could not order an item because it physically does not exist and the customer believes they are lying. Management has told people time and time again, through policies or implied beliefs that the "customer is always right" and to take them acting this way towards them. Why is the employee not given the authority to tell them not to speak to them in such a manner, or to end the conversation, or have the customer removed from the store?
These are hidden cultures that exist, as I am sure other hidden cultures can be thought of throughout many workplaces. So, what do we do to combat cultures like this that are not in line with the views of how the employee and vital part of the organization should be treated?
Empowerment, ownership, and education.
Employers need to empower their employees with the ability to correct wrong doings that happen to them via either someone inside or outside of the company.
Employers need to educate employees on how to handle this matter themselves in a way that removes the negative cause of the situation and restores a positive working environment.
Employers need to give employees a sense of ownership over both their own situations and the company, so that they feel their actions will not be retaliated against for them speaking up in defense of themselves.
Hidden cultures can serve to undermine the positive visible cultural aspects that many employers wish to create. Giving employees the ability to create their own positive working environments can help to increase retention and overall work happiness. When an employee is happy at their job, they want to ensure that it remains a great place to work so that they can remain with the company.
"If you are lucky enough to be someone’s employer, then you have a moral obligation to make sure people do look forward to coming to work in the morning." - John Mackey, Whole Foods Markets
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Big news, big changes!
When I was younger, I never understood the appeal many people have towards journaling. The young mind is still quite malleable, so the need to express one's thoughts in the written form is not necessitated quite as much as when you are older.
All that to say: I have so much in my mind, and I need to write it down to help sort it all out!!
So, a bit about myself to start for those random folks who have made their way here to read about my musings. I am Dustin, and currently I am working in retail operations but that is about to ALL change!! Recently (literally, yesterday) I have accepted a position with a local retirement community as their Human Resources Manager. This is such an exciting time, and also one that was highly unexpected at this point in my life.
You see, I am a full time student, still pursing my MBA with a concentration in HR. This opportunity presented itself through a friend when I posted on Facebook one day:
"I have no idea how I am going to get any experience for my MBA. Most prospective jobs/employers want anywhere from 2-5 years on the job experience. I realize I do not graduate until a year from now but I need some way to gain experience."
I posted this because my current retail job has no way to move into an HR role with regards to a logical movement. When discussing this with one of my managers, they stated that I would have to go through a process of Asst. Manager, General Manager, and then just "hold my breath" that the market-level HR position becomes vacated. Frustrated with this I posted the above on Facebook, and one of my friends from college contacted me letting me know that the company she was hired on with in the past year is looking for an HR Manager. Subsequently, this company was one I had worked for in a different capacity: as a Nurse Aide.
You see, I have had a crazy past as far as careers and aspirations.
Out of high school, I was on track to becoming a music educator. I attained my Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Appalachian State University and taught in the North Carolina Public Schools for a few years. Ultimately this was a goal I achieved, but was not happy with the state of such a broken system.
I left education in pursuit of a new goal: nursing. Healthcare had so many opportunities with it, and I truly enjoyed assisting people in their daily care and making their lives better. I went to school for my Nurse Aide Certification and was employed with the company I currently accepted the HR position. I subsequently attained my Medication Aide and even became Board Certified as a Hospice Nurse Aide.
Leaving healthcare was difficult, as I had to admit to myself my learning capacity was not that of an RN which was my ultimate goal. Anatomy and physiology is a difficult course, and I learned in that class that it was beyond my capabilities.
I moved to retail at a time of more self-discovery, and found myself excited with a new pathway I had never considered: Business. There are so many avenues with business, and when I began reading on what all Human Resources entailed, I was immediately drawn to that concentration. Working in retail I bridged the knowledge gap between my Bachelors and the admittance requirements for my MBA. I learned a ton both on the job and during my time through school; however I was so discouraged that I had nowhere to move up for the Human Resources concentration with this company!!
Remember I said my friend from college commented on that Facebook post? She was my saving grace. I was passed up for a promotion at my store, and my predictions were correct that it was "just the kick in the hind-end" that I needed!
My friend informed me of the position, and I was so elated that I was given the opportunity to interview. I gave it my all, asked so many questions I probably made everyone's head spin, and in the end they chose me to lead the HR department for my facility!
Elation! Success! Happiness!
....worry....fear....anxiety
I am so happy, yet so crazily swimming in a million thoughts a minute.
I have school still, and this is the most compact semester I will have until the end of school. This always happens with summer sessions: 4 months of work in just over 2 months of time.
I welcome the challenge with open arms, yet I fear I may be punched in the gut a few thousand times and have to stand strong in this new endeavor.
I can make it. I am strong. I am determined.
I wanted this, I earned it, now I'm going to make it great!
Come on this journey with me, who knows...it might be fun!!
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."
All that to say: I have so much in my mind, and I need to write it down to help sort it all out!!
So, a bit about myself to start for those random folks who have made their way here to read about my musings. I am Dustin, and currently I am working in retail operations but that is about to ALL change!! Recently (literally, yesterday) I have accepted a position with a local retirement community as their Human Resources Manager. This is such an exciting time, and also one that was highly unexpected at this point in my life.
You see, I am a full time student, still pursing my MBA with a concentration in HR. This opportunity presented itself through a friend when I posted on Facebook one day:
"I have no idea how I am going to get any experience for my MBA. Most prospective jobs/employers want anywhere from 2-5 years on the job experience. I realize I do not graduate until a year from now but I need some way to gain experience."
I posted this because my current retail job has no way to move into an HR role with regards to a logical movement. When discussing this with one of my managers, they stated that I would have to go through a process of Asst. Manager, General Manager, and then just "hold my breath" that the market-level HR position becomes vacated. Frustrated with this I posted the above on Facebook, and one of my friends from college contacted me letting me know that the company she was hired on with in the past year is looking for an HR Manager. Subsequently, this company was one I had worked for in a different capacity: as a Nurse Aide.
You see, I have had a crazy past as far as careers and aspirations.
Out of high school, I was on track to becoming a music educator. I attained my Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Appalachian State University and taught in the North Carolina Public Schools for a few years. Ultimately this was a goal I achieved, but was not happy with the state of such a broken system.
I left education in pursuit of a new goal: nursing. Healthcare had so many opportunities with it, and I truly enjoyed assisting people in their daily care and making their lives better. I went to school for my Nurse Aide Certification and was employed with the company I currently accepted the HR position. I subsequently attained my Medication Aide and even became Board Certified as a Hospice Nurse Aide.
Leaving healthcare was difficult, as I had to admit to myself my learning capacity was not that of an RN which was my ultimate goal. Anatomy and physiology is a difficult course, and I learned in that class that it was beyond my capabilities.
I moved to retail at a time of more self-discovery, and found myself excited with a new pathway I had never considered: Business. There are so many avenues with business, and when I began reading on what all Human Resources entailed, I was immediately drawn to that concentration. Working in retail I bridged the knowledge gap between my Bachelors and the admittance requirements for my MBA. I learned a ton both on the job and during my time through school; however I was so discouraged that I had nowhere to move up for the Human Resources concentration with this company!!
Remember I said my friend from college commented on that Facebook post? She was my saving grace. I was passed up for a promotion at my store, and my predictions were correct that it was "just the kick in the hind-end" that I needed!
My friend informed me of the position, and I was so elated that I was given the opportunity to interview. I gave it my all, asked so many questions I probably made everyone's head spin, and in the end they chose me to lead the HR department for my facility!
Elation! Success! Happiness!
....worry....fear....anxiety
I am so happy, yet so crazily swimming in a million thoughts a minute.
I have school still, and this is the most compact semester I will have until the end of school. This always happens with summer sessions: 4 months of work in just over 2 months of time.
I welcome the challenge with open arms, yet I fear I may be punched in the gut a few thousand times and have to stand strong in this new endeavor.
I can make it. I am strong. I am determined.
I wanted this, I earned it, now I'm going to make it great!
Come on this journey with me, who knows...it might be fun!!
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."
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