Jul
Desired SuperPower: Extra Hours in my Day
by Krista Ogburn Francis in The engaged life
What’s your desired superpower? Mine has always been flying. I often fly in my dreams and it is exhilarating. I wish I could experience this freedom, expansive beauty and soaring escape in real life.
But today I realized I wished for a new, different power. I wish I had the power to extend my days, to increase the number of available hours to match the number of tasks on my To Do list.
Is that sad?
To trade the beautiful dream of flight for the satisfaction of a tidily checked-off To Do list?
Or is this the 2010 version of the age-old human desire for immortality? With the near-endless pressures of modern life, perhaps we wish for endless days, rather than endless years or endless youth.
At any rate (for any supreme beings that might reivew my superpower request), I’d like to quickly qualify that I would not over-rely on my new power. I would only invoke it on a shortterm basis during extraordinary, busy, pressing times. Like now–when a few extra hours today would make a difference to my organization or family tomorrow. I wouldn’t abuse it, I promise, Fairy Godmother, and during ordinary times I would employ all the tried-and-true time management tips we all know and love.
But for now, I could use a break.
I wonder: what’s your dream superpower, and what does it say about you?
photo by oddsock
Jul
Resume Writers and Ghost-Written Dating Profiles
by Krista Ogburn Francis in HR
I came across this BBC news story about people who have experts ghostwrite their online dating profiles. The article explores pros and cons, but there is a strong theme that having someone write your profile is dishonest and unethical.
Why?
How is it different than contracting to have anything else ghost-written, most pointedly (since this is an HR blog) one’s resume? Many people need assistance packaging, presenting, marketing themselves. It is only unethical, in my opinion, if the resulting resume or dating profile doesn’t match up with reality. Yes, I graduated cum laude from Harvard. Yes, I am a 23 year old 5′8″ natural blonde. Yes, I garnered twenty three billion dollars in sales.
And it’s dishonest if you claim credit for what you didn’t produce, if you tell your date that yes, you conceived the concept for that amazing ad and you wrote the copy, because you have a lot of talents, three of which are creativity, writing, and design.
But that’s just my opinion. What do you think?
photo by inju
Jul
What I Wish I’d Learned at SHRM 2010
by Krista Ogburn Francis in Uncategorized
I wish I’d heard Al Gore speak. Even if he didn’t invent the internet, I have a lot of respect for his Government Reinvention efforts in the 90’s. Even if actual results were modest, least he tried; I haven’t seen too many other people tackle that monstrous elephant in the room.
I wish I’d heard Marcus Buckingham. I’ve been a fan of him and of Gallup for years. Keep reading »
Jun
The Best (HR) Advice My Dad Gave Me
by Krista Ogburn Francis in HR
This being the month in which we celebrate Fathers Day, I’m thinking about my father, his many talents and his legacy to my life. My dad is brilliant, adventurous and athletic. He tells a great story, speaks at least four languages well, and can get by in another half dozen.
My Dad in Africa
Dad is witty, entertaining and at times downright hilarious. I can thank him for my sense of humor; I’m doing my best every day to pass this gift on to my own son. My dad appreciated my fiesty tomboyishness, taught me to drive stick shift, how to ride a motorcycle. I’ve purchased two motor scooters because of fond memories of our Hondas 50 and 125 when we lived in Africa.
I also credit him with some of the best HR advice I’ve ever received. A few years ago, my dad asked me how some of my investments were doing and I was mortified to admit that I had no clue. That’s when he made this observation:
“It wouldn’t hurt you to read the business section.”
He’s probably long forgotten the conversation, but I haven’t. Since then, I seek out the business section of the Washington Post as well as the Business and Politics edition of our local paper, the Gazette. I’m reading more business books and seeing my HR role in a larger, more strategic and bigger-picture light. Thanks, Dad.
When I applied his advice broadly, what I learned was: to get ahead and be taken serious in HR, it helps to read the business section. To think of yourself as a business person. To bring your business acumen to the table.
So I wonder: What’s the best (HR) advice you’ve ever received?
And what legacy can you credit to your dad?
Jun
Dealing with Passive Aggressiveness at Work
by Krista Ogburn Francis in Workplace
I’ve been floating around the pool at my tropcial hotel, reading the June, 2010 HR Magazine from SHRM. (This is a highly recommended way to read professional journals of all kinds, in case you’re wondering.) Before leaving DC, I’d tabbed the article “Checking Passive Aggression: Refuse to be a Victim,” which I looked forward to reading, since I’ve known one or two passive aggressive co-workers in my time. Keep reading »
Jun
Benefits of a Sabbatical
by Krista Ogburn Francis in Workplace
I came across this great TED videoin which designer Stefan Sagmeister explains some of the many benefits he’s reaped from closing his studio for a year after each seven years of business. It’s worth watching, even if you think the kind of work you do is very different.
One point that struck me is the intentional way in which he decided to take five years from retirement and intersperse them into his working Keep reading »
Jun
Friendliness and Personal Development
by Krista Ogburn Francis in HR
Guest Post by Ben Eubanks
I once worked with an HR person who was, shall we say, less than friendly. She constantly sowed dissent among the department. And yes, sowing dissent isn’t something that’s easily recognizable, but she was a pro at it. Her demeanor was rude and obnoxious. At first I was angry and upset at her behavior. But then I realized a few things that (somewhat) helped me to feel sorry for her.
* She had no computer skills in a job that demanded them.
* She dealt with worker’s comp claims all day long (not the most fun part of this profession).
* She had been doing the exact same job for an untold number of years before I even got there.
So, what’s the point?
Well, I wish there was a happy ending to that story. But that’s it, really. All I can do is encourage you not to have people like this hanging around Keep reading »
Jun
Going on Sabbatical
by Krista Ogburn Francis in HR
My son chillaxin'
Today I’m feeling very lucky. I’m on sabbatical, sitting on a tropical patio, listening to the birds, sipping my morning coffee.
A tiny percentage of US companies offer sabbaticals, and fewer are paid. At my organization, after ten years on the job, all full-time staff get three months of paid leave, in addition to their regular leave. We also get a $500 vacation expense reimbursement at two, five, ten, fifteen (etc.) Keep reading »
Jun
Small HR World
by Krista Ogburn Francis in HR
Yesterday, my family and I flew from Washington, DC, to Atlanta and from there, on to San Jose’, Costa Rica. As we walked up to the gate in Atlanta, my husband struck up a conversation with a young couple, asking if the gate agent had been seen. I kept looking at the young man, thinking, “That guy looks just like Ben Madden,” an HR pro I met at HRevolution and RecruitDC. Finally I had to ask.
Yes, it was Ben. He and his fiancee were also headed to Costa Rica and in fact ended up sitting directly behind me on the plane. Keep reading »
Jun
Getting Ready for Vacation
by Krista Ogburn Francis in The engaged life
Soon my family will be leaving for a two-week vacation to Costa Rica. It’s going to be amazing!
But the preparations for this amazing trip have been arduous. At home, virtually all my leisure time is spent figuring out dog-care, cat-care, yard-care, arranging for some international students to house-sit….not to mention all the details of our travel itinerary and related finances. I Keep reading »
Coming Alive
Thanks for the luv!
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