Paul Davis Restoration

Tom Denslow

People Growth Advocate

Sometimes our cell phones aren’t charged. Sometimes there is not an outlet available to plug in our laptops. But you can always write things down – with either a pen or a pencil.

I like to write with pencils, ever since I was in school, I prefer to use a pencil. The simplicity and beauty of a pencil is endless. Unlike a pen, with a pencil, one can always erase things when a mistake is made or if they change. The simple metaphor and analogy of a pencil, translates to making sharp decisions in your life and being decisive in your results; realizing that if you make a mistake, you can hopefully erase it and redo/rewrite what is needed/correct.

And when a pen runs out of ink you have to throw it away, but all you have to do is sharpen your pencil and even if it’s dulled you can still write with it and more importantly, you can still erase with it.

One of the things I've learned over the years is how to be fluid and shift on the spot, to know how to adjust to the changes that are coming and how to be ready to make those changes. To me, that is one of the secrets to HR Strategy, “Planning.” Some think it unnecessary, but planning for the uncertainty is better than hoping to avoid failure. HR Strategy often means simply having a back-up plan. It is unfortunately essential, but the oleadage of “it’s sunny outside, better grab your umbrella” means a great deal to HR Professionals - we always want it to be a perfect day; but anyone who has spent more than 12 hours as a HR Pro knows – you better grab that umbrella.

There is no such thing as too much planning. As we all know, working in Human Resources, the best laid plans (that yearly staffing initiative, the employee recognition program or specific budget items) don’t always work out the way we initially planned or wanted.

In 20 years of HR, I have learned the importance of planning and even more planning (having backup plans to my backup plans). No one is ever going to fault you for planning or having extra ideas, those backup plans.

" I believe in being able to erase – because in my mind, it means that not everything is permanent. "

The hope is we won’t have to use them, but if we do, isn’t nice to have those backup plans in your back pocket. It makes life a lot easier and less stressful when it comes to planning and HR Strategy.

I believe in being able to erase – because in my mind, it means that not everything is permanent. Not ideas. Not plans. Nothing. Change happens and as a HR Pro, I need to be able to erase and rewrite as I go through my day.

Not everyone likes meetings, going to workshops or team trainings; but I have found the biggest take away from these things are not just the simple ideas that come from them, but often from the side conversations, the brainstorming sessions. Those ideas that I can write down often lead to the best pieces of information (not necessarily now, but for later, for those backup plans).

As an HR Professional I take notes. Not always because I like to, but sometimes through necessity. I try to write down as much as I can- even in passing, a random comment, a small idea or simple comment today, can lead to a breakthrough later on - whether it’s a new policy, a process improvement or a staffing initiative- HR Strategy is always about thinking of the future, the what ifs, as well as the here and now.

So, as you finish reading this, I ask you: “What's your back up plan?”