This week, I saw a great posting on LinkedIn that made me think of the importance of self-care and self-compassion…

“Human Resources (noun)…the unofficial lawyer, psychologist, event planner, teacher, peacemaker, career planner, detective.”

If you’re an HR professional, how accurately does this reflect how you experience your role within your organization?

Self-Care Is Often Overlooked By Those Who Take Care Of Others

As someone who has worked in HR and led the HR function, I personally can relate. What this posting called out is that HR professionals are busy taking care of the employees at their organizations, and often forget to take care of themselves. They make sure employees have all they need and are eligible to receive. Whether it’s onboarding, training, making sure managers are having conversations with their direct reports, offering guidance, facilitating conversations often around conflict, ensuring employees are signed up for their benefits, offering professional development resources, and so much more, it’s unfortunately a common occurrence that many HR professionals, ignore that they too are eligible and deserving of support and access to opportunities. What also happens in some cultures is that some individuals don’t ask for what they need as vulnerability is not the norm.

Support That Can Make A Difference

Areas of biggest concern, in my opinion, include professional development and support! Support can come in a variety of forms, and one such support that I encourage for HR professionals is having access to working with an executive coach.

And – with this being a month where self-love and self-compassion are in people’s minds maybe more so than most, it feels like the right topic to be focusing on.

When working with an executive coach, not only will the HR professional have access to a role model whose skills can provide modeling for the HR professional to emulate promoting more empowerment within the organization, but they will also have someone in their corner championing them. Working with an executive coach will provide them with a compassionate partner to support them in their continued development towards being their best self and most impactful leader for the organization in which they work. This will provide the HR professional with necessary support and help to keep them engaged, while they in turn drive greater business results.

When individuals do not have the necessary support, they are likely not going to remain as effective as they need to be. If you are an executive reading this post and want to make sure your HR professionals are set up for success to be their best for your organization, and you want them to know you care about them – let’s connect. Or, if you are an HR professional – please remember how important it is for you to take care of yourself so you can be the best you can be for your employees and your organization!  If you are ready to ask for the support you need and you’re interested in learning more, I’d love to connect.

“Compassion for others starts with kindness to ourselves.” – Pema Chodron