To what degree, to what extent or for how long I don't know but this is a good thing. We are one part of a much larger organization and while I don't impact the big picture day to day, I do within the my organization.

It's time for me to initiate the conversation, provide the leadership and above all, be the voice of reason. Keep your hands and feet inside the car, the ride about to begin.

Me leaving my desk for lunch is a big deal and honestly, it is a way bigger deal than it really should be. Considering my commitment to making a difference and to connection, getting out and about should be a regular part of business for me. It hasn't been.

I said I would get outside of my work into my own backyardback in April, but I didn't. Now I am. Thanks to Paul DeBettignies, the amazing MN Headhunter, and fine folks from HRP MN, I am getting to know members of the HR recruitment community in the cities and today, my sites are set on St. Cloud. 

Not only is VA having a tough time attracting HR professionals nationally, but yesterday someone noted that we have not been able to attract a lot of interest from HR people from our local community. He was right and that's a problem. That's my problem. People in the community don’t know a lot about us - or me. I bet that if they knew me and knew that they had a chance to work with me – they’d be lining up at the door!

So, with that end in mind, my goal today is to spread some holiday cheer, seek out the best HR professionals in Central MN and stalk them.

Ho, ho, ho! I've got my eye on you.

Photo credit iStockphoto

The latest Carnival of HR is live right now over at the Fortify your Oasis blog and there is a lot to read! Rowan Manahan is this month's wonderful, winter host live from Dublin, Ireland. One of the first bloggers I followed, he continues to bring the good stuff.

So, "pour yourself a large caffeinated beverage, indulge yourself with some good chocolate and prepare for a whirligig of the best of HR thinking from across the globe. "

We are nearing the end of the year but we are not done with 2009 Carnivals yet! April Dowling at the Pseudo HR Blog is the holiday host of the next Carnival and she is followed by a very special New Year Carnival that is well, a tad on the wild side. Well, not too wild but very new and fun - it is in vlog format! So go here, grab your webcam, give some love to Bill Boorman and share your thoughts for 2010.

We are winding the year down with a bang! Enjoy.

The December Leadership Development Carnival is hosted by Mark Stelzner on his blog at Inflexion Point. The cold weather is coming so take him up on his offer when he says,

"Although the weather outside may be frightful, this Carnival’s writers are so delightful. So stoke the fire, grab a blanket and get ready to curl up with some of the best leadership writing from the past thirty days. Cozy yet? Good… let’s jump right in."

And jump right in you should. From "Leadership Whiteout" to Finding Snowflakes" and "Brain Freeze," Mark carries the winter theme throughout the post and highlights posts on coaching, motivation, community, high potential notifications and more. If you have leadership on your mind, this is the place for you!

Grab a warm drink of your choice, browse through the writing and before you go, leave Mark a note in the comments about what issues would you like this crowd to tackle in 2010.

With that, enjoy!

Leadership has it's bumps. Bumps in workload can be addressed with process improvements, staffing, or revision of services. Bumps in employee morale can be addressed by a refocus on the mission, a conversation or a commitment to action. Bumps in technical expertise or knowledge can be addressed by training, succession planning or redistribution of work.

What if the leader hits a personal bump that is less than a total loss of inspiration yet greater than a funk. What if this bump goes beyond the day to day workings of her team to contribution, committment, or community for the greater good?

Then it's time for the leader to step back and ask herself some questions about people, time and costs. Questions like, what types of interactions with others are energizing to her, where is she willing to spend her personal time and where is she willing to incur personal costs? And to what end? (No, the Magic 8-Ball is not any more reliable or helpful than the ill-fated crystal ball here!)

Leadership is about inspiring people, it's about achieving goals, it's about being present in the moment to correct the course as needed . . . . most of the time. Some of the time, it's not about any of that and all about the leader.

Leadership is only as good as the leader so leaders, you've got to be at your best. You owe it to yourselves to reflect, to wonder, to be selfish, and to chase your dreams. To do anything less is to doing nothing at all.

Hat tip to Mark Stelzner for being spot-on in the "asking the right questions" department!

Photo credit iStockPhoto

I consider myself a thoughtful decision maker and, even in the face of over thinking at times, I get that decisions I make can create disappointment. I get, and honor, that people may need time and space to work through their reactions. What I don't get is the cold shoulder. Come on Virginia-cold-shoulders, do you think this will add anything to the conversation, prove a point or motivate change? Really?! Do you see the flaw in this logic?

I know that these things will pass, they always do. What do you know? Stop for a moment and think before you react. Think about the impression you will make on those around you. Do you think that will pass as quickly?

Peace out. 

Photo credit iStockphoto

Here are some of our top tips on what to do when you lose to job - both to keep your spirits up and to get back to work.

Know your rights

Your employers have to follow stringent guidelines when making any redundancies. They need to give you a written explanation of why you are losing your job. They are also required to prove that the decision was taken objectively and not because of factors like age or gender. They should also try to find you another position in the company if possible. You will only receive redundancy pay if you have worked at the company for more than two years. Your employer needs to provide you with a written explanation of how the final amount was calculated. If you have been employed for less than two years then you are entitled to payment of your notice period.

Plan your finances

If you do receive a redundancy payment or have some savings, think carefully about how you want to use them. You might want to pay off your credit cards or other personal loans. For advice on managing your debt, go to www.moneyfacts.co.uk. You should also check whether any of your loans come with payment protection insurance to cover the repayments while you search for your new job.

Network

Regardless of the type of job you are looking for, the more people you get to know, the more likely you are to meet someone who knows about a job opportunity that may be right for you. For you, networking may mean going to business conferences, career fairs or making new contacts on social networking sites. Spread the word that you are looking for a job among your friends, family, former co-workers and join online networking groups like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Pick up new skills

While there is nothing you could have done to avoid losing your job, there is plenty you can do to help you get a new one. Retraining or improving your skill set it one of them and this is one of the best ways to spend your free time as you search for a new job. You could work on your Spanish, do some online tutorials or learn to use a new computer programme.

Keep a regular schedule

It may be hard to get out of bed when you have nowhere to go, but you’ll be more likely to be productive if you maintain your normal sleep patterns and schedule. Make sure you get out of the house for a while every day, even if it’s just to go for a walk. Set up a goal-a-day system. This is a plan where you do something every single day that gets you closer to finding a new job.

Look for jobs

Make sure you spend at least 30% of every day trying to find a job. That means working on your CV, getting your cover letter finished, sending out CVs, searching the web for jobs and networking. Be proactive! Just putting your CV on a few sites is not a proper job hunt, make some calls too. Temporary work is a good way of getting back into the job market. It gives you an income and also ensures CV continuity.

Hire a Career Coach

A career coach is dedicated to giving you the tools you need for career success and will challenge you to do your best, will work with you through the tough times and will empower you to reach your goals. After coaching you should have clearer career and job search goals and increased self awareness and direction.

Revamp your CV

Highlight your specific achievements that are relevant to a specific job. Add a personal profile summing up your career background, areas of expertise, key skills and motivations. Be concise and keep your CV to two pages. As well as writing your CV, practise writing cover letters. These are what first get you noticed by an employer and making your cover letter stand out from others will give you an advantage.

Re-evaluate your life

When you lose your job, getting a new job is obviously important but is it the most important thing in your life? What about your health, family, friendships and relationships? Each of these may be important to you so try not to neglect them. Try to work out what is important for you and what is important in life. Put them in order, along with gaining a job and then allocate your time into maintaining each.

See it as an opportunity

It is important that you think of redundancy as an opportunity. You may not have liked your job anyway but lacked the confidence to make the change you always wanted. Now that the decision has been forced upon you, you can potentially do anything you want. Start your own business, work abroad or go back to university.

*To be made redundant means to be laid off from work due to the permanent termination of employment e.g. certain positions are no longer necessary for business reasons. Being redundant relates to your job, not you as an individual. It means your job is now not needed within the company. The company can not take someone else on to do your job because the job position no longer exists....it isn't an exercise in simply removing you personally to get someone else in.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Very quickly, the conversation turned to blogging, Twitter and the like. Our lunch buddies didn't blog nor had they tried Twitter. Why not? The reasons (er, excuses!) included not enough time, lack of understanding, preference for face to face meetings, and more. Sharlyn and I were asked why we used the social media tools we did.

I started to launch into my Social Media in HR spiel and before long, Sharlyn very succintly, politely, and impactfully said, "I'm talking with my friends."

Yup, that about sums it up for me too. So friends, here's to you!

Photocredit iStockphoto

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Give thanks to those in your hearts from near and far who share your table throughout the year.

What are you thankful for?

What started out, quite simply, as an effort to do something a little different with the Carnival concept for the holiday season grew very quickly into this - the HR Carnival of Global Giving.  

Check out the link and consider contributing to the cause or a charity of your choice. What a great way to start the holiday season.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Leadership is not easy, nor is supervision. But neither is as hard as some make it out to be. If you are a supervisor, take a few minutes to read through the questions below. Think about them and answer honestly.

• Do you counsel employees over email?
• Do you have to "win" employee discussions?
• When asked why, do you respond, "because I can?"
• Do you view employee questions as challenges to you ego? 
• Do you expect your support people to "read your mind" in regards to work expectations?
• Do you look past behaviors because addressing them is a bit "uncomfortable" for you?
• Do you hold back information because members of your staff just "don’t need to know?"
• Are your performance reviews consistently late?
• Do you engage in shouting matches with you staff?
• Do you take this stuff personally?!

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, stop that right now. Supervisors, this is not about you. It is about helping others to succeed, to make the goal, to achieve the mission. It's about addressing problems head-on and making the tough decisions. It's about not making it personal. Does this make sense to you? Do you see the possibility? Do you see that there may be another way? If you do, then BRAVO to you.

If you don't, reach into your wallet, your purse, or your top desk draw and pull out your supervisor card. Hold it out. I'm coming by to collect it. Now.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Yes, I have to change the way I run. You see, my feet sort of cross in front of each other when I run. And yes, that's a problem. Mr. PT says it's not the reason I can't roller blade but it is the very reason my knees are achy. I'm not so sure about this NOT negatively impacting my roller blading inabilities but I'll buy that it's taking a toll on my knees.

How does one change the way they've been moving for 30 (ahem) plus plus years? Mr. PT had a few suggestions: I could have someone run behind me and yell at me whenever my feet cross over the mid line or I could lay a cord about ankle high across the backyard, run along it and have it trip me up if my feet cross over it. Not funny. So, we talked some more and at the end of the session, I bought new running shoes and opted for treadmill work. 

This morning, the change began. I went to the gym and hopped on the treadmill. I slowed it down a few points, scaled back on the time and concentrated on how I was running. It felt a bit odd but, before long, I was able to feel the difference between the old and the new. Day 1 was a success.

I am in the midst of change, literally, one step at at time. On the treadmill I am changing the way I run. Off the treadmill, I feel another change coming. I am in a funny place right now and I can't quite get my head around it - yet - but I am in the inquiry. Inquiry can be a messy place for me, yet this "mess" always bring insight and change. And, I am taking this one step at a time.

One step at a time. Is there really any other way to make a change? No matter how big or how small of a change you have in mind, it always starts with the first step headed in the right direction. 

So, where are you headed today?

If you are in St. Cloud on November 21, head on over to the Jingle Bell 5K and join me. I'll be the one watching her feet as she runs!

Photocredit iStockphoto

The HR Carnival - HRevolution Edition is posted over at Trish McFarlane's place, the HR Ringleader's Blog. 

I love the headiness of events and conversations like HRevolution. By the looks of  the writing, the thoughts and the ideas in the carnival posts I am not alone. Want to meet some smart people with great ideas, varying perspectives, differing opinions - and a little bit of humor?

Click on over to the carnival, you will not be disappointed.

If you are inspired to continue to conversation, share your thoughts in the next HR Carnival. Mike VanDervort will be our generous host for the November 25th Carnival and he has something amazing planned! Not only is he trying to get 100 bloggers from around the world to participate, it's all for charity! So when you send in your blog post link to Michael.VanDervort@gmail.com, please be sure to include a link to a charity you would like to see supported as Mike is personally donating $1 for every blog post he receives to one of the charities selected. 

I am not content to have the job no one else would want.

When I'm done, I will have a role others wish they had. 

Photocredit iStockphoto

Ok, I'm loving the new logo. How about you?!

This rendition of the Carnival is hosted by Ben Eubanks, on his blog, Upstart HR. Well, along with the new logo comes 25 pieces of HR Awesomeness - and a challenge. I've known Ben for almost a year now and had the opportunity to meet him last weekend at HRevolution. He is a ball of fire, a barrel of ideas, and a commited contributor to and supporter of the HR Community. So, the idea of him throwing out a challenge is not at all unexpected.

What's the challenge? Ben is challenging you to pick your favorite article, print it out, and hand deliver it to someone who could benefit from the information. With 25 great posts to select from, this will be a very easy thing to do. Or will it?

Read, pick and share away. Oh, yes. Enjoy!