LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Inc

Steve Browne

Do you remember the financial crisis of 2008? It feels like it was a lifetime ago. When it occurred, no one recalled anything being so challenging on this scale from a countrywide perspective. At the time, the wonderful professionals in Finance were called upon and they rose to the occasion. There were countless examples of seeing the value of these talented professionals. They applied their acumen and strategy, and we worked our way through this crisis.

Fast forward to 2020 and we find ourselves facing a global pandemic. No one understood what was happening and what direction to turn. It was the first time most humans on the planet had been impacted across the world. Nothing had been fully global since the Second World War. Society was fearful and uncertainty seemed to be the only “norm.” When faced with this crisis, executives turned to human resources professionals just as they turned to finance professionals in the 2008 Great Recession. Suddenly, companies snapped awake feeling this was a “people” issue. It certainly was. Similar to our financial peers, HR pros stepped up and guided organizations through the pandemic, everchanging regulations, and a new model for the workplace with remote, hybrid, and inperson environments.

Isn’t it sad, and ironic, that HR was looked to as having value because of a response to a global crisis? Seriously. Only when faced with catastrophe and possible impending doom did people NOW matter. At the same time, had we looked across the business landscape, I’m sure we’d find countless examples of companies espousing that people are their #1 priority and focus. It was aspirational fluff at best.

Please note something before continuing. I’m not trying to detract from all that has happened to elevate human resources. Just the opposite. You see, EVERYTHING has been, and continues to be, a “people” issue. It has always been that way, but we never stepped up to make sure our companies were cognizant of this reality. We’ve spent so much time-fighting fires, fiercely holding on to compliance as our greatest strengths, and waiting for the next crisis to be first responders that we’ve missed this observation as well.

"Companies that prioritize their people all the time, not just during challenging times, will thrive and succeed"

Let me prove it. Listen to every conversation happening at your workplace whether it’s in-person or remote. Within the first 10 words of the topic being discussed, you’ll hear someone’s name. It’s like this. “You know the supply chain is still difficult, but Steve is really on top of it.” Yes, the item being reviewed is the supply chain strain, but it’s connected to “Steve” who is one of the people working on it. You can use this experiment in every work-related conversation on any day. It won’t fail. We tie people to the work happening because EVERY issue is a people issue.

Since that is the case, it’s time for HR, and organizations, to alter their approach and their overall culture. Companies who embrace being a people-first entity all. the. time. are going to be the ones who are thriving and vibrant. This allows you to switch the narrative of “dealing” with people to an environment where people are expected to add value and contribute. You can affirm and embrace a behavior-based culture where people are seen as the talented, contributory, and positive folks they always have been.

Remember, people act poorly when they are viewed as being underperformers. When you approach people using a negative lens or only in response to a crisis, then you’re going to get ongoing resistance, frustration, and results that will consistently fall below goals.

HR needs to get out of the side closet in the organization and step into the leadership positions which came about during the pandemic. There is no need to ever retreat!! This is the time for the profession and each human resources practitioner to lead and show the people managers in their organizations they have a gift of incredibly talented people surrounding them. We’ve yearned for a method to show organizations how we impact performance for decades. This is it. Blaze the trail to turn your company into a sustainable people-first organization that acknowledges, recognizes, and relies on its people. ALL of its people.

We can no longer only focus on the thin layer of executives thinking we have an effective people strategy. People is plural. It should involve and include every employee. HR broadens your perspective and realizes since each and every department has people residing in them, then you need to be integrated like a connective tether pulling everyone together. Doing this will build a relationship-based culture where people look to each other so the entire enterprise moves forward.

Shed the traditional mantle and approach of HR and step into the present and future of the profession. Be human yourself first and then work towards building amazing people-first companies – All. The. Time.