Evolve or Die…

For years, the same topic of conversation has continued to swirl in our circle. What is the future of this practice? Why are people in this practice so completely resistant to evolve away from the administrativia? Is it fear? Lack of self-confidence or just the inability to see the bigger picture?
Today more than ever there are more ways to outsource, streamline and process-tize the historical administrative duties of “Human Resources”. Other functions that deal with audit and compliance are happily absorbed by our friends in Finance. It makes me wonder, is the fear in letting go, the fear that you will become irrelevant? Do you hang on to benefits administration because it provides you some tangible anchor of survival? Come with me into the light, and find out you can provide significantly more value while also helping each individual maximize their potential.
The practice, and in the defense of “the practice”, it takes years of experience to develop the knowledge and skill set to have the greatest impact, is evolving. Unfortunately many grow in years of experience and grow more jaded and skeptical. They build walls of high authority and a fill the moat with non-negotiable rules that stifles growth and fills the masses with skepticism and misery. Undeniable facts: People thirst for autonomy, are driven toward mastery and thrive when elevated towards purpose. Another fact: the more rules you have the less latitude the organization has for innovation.
This is the first in a series of posts as there is just far too much to discuss in one posting, so lets take this one step at a time. If you believe in the cause and are up for the challenge…follow me this way.
1-Look in the mirror
To be a great leader and an agent of change within an organization, the answer starts with that person staring right back at you. Get a mentor, ask for feedback, solicit a 360 degree mechanism, ask your significant other (with the promise of no negative backlash) and set down with your real best friend and invite them to punch you right in the face. It is not easy to hear where you need work. It takes vulnerability and a willingness to change.
It’s not about you…
If you are familiar with the four agreements, you will find this very familiar. Reactions are always about where someone else is sitting and experiencing. Change will come with resistance. You will have to refine your ability to master the art of not taking things personally. Confrontation is hard for 90% of people, and the other 10% like it too much and pick fights…so really no one is “good” at it. Practice, breathe, absorb.
So friends, start there and come back when you feel you are ready to take the next step.