Hi there! *waves*

I am Doug. I am a strategic partner, a mentor, an advocate, creative, bold, nice, a day-dreamer, a singer, an amateur photographer, I ask “why” all the time, and I don’t settle for mediocrity.

I am a 1984 Generation Y/Millennial professional working in Human Resources (“HR”). I write this blog for several reasons. (1) I love what I do, and I want to share my professional experiences with others. If you learn anything about me as you read my blog, you will come to know that I am a passionate person. Passion shines through me and I give everything to what I accomplish. (2) I think it’s important to educate people (generally) that not all HR people and departments are “boring,” “scary,” or “the grim reaper”…yes, I have been called that. Your HR guy (or gal, or “z” or any other gender neutral pronoun) doesn’t have to make your heart skip a beat whenever they send you an email to get together. I promise you, it’s not always bad! (3) I have been told by many I interact with that I should write a blog about my opinions on the HR profession. I guess that means I carry a tone that some may find interest in reading. You tell me!

I don’t claim to be an expert on HR. Let me say that again. I don’t claim to be an expert on HR! I DO claim to be an expert of my own opinion and experiences in the workplace. I do some research so I am forming opinions not totally unfounded (I am currently working toward my MBA in Organizational Behavior…so research is shoved in my ears and hopefully attaches to brain pretty much every day). It is not necessary for you to carry the same opinion that I do, and I gratefully accept transparent dialogue on varying viewpoints on the many topics I will write about. Writing is a form of therapy for me, and I have yet to take advantage of that in my life. So I am giving it a go! Please feel free to come along for the ride and contribute accordingly.

How HR found me. 

Someone who would become a dear friend of mine asked me on the day we met in September 2007, “what is your major?” Yes, this was at the beginning of my 5th year of undergrad and I hadn’t yet settled on a major. I spent four years failing classes, goofing off, working, and not really giving much thought about my career long term. That was the turning point for me. I had no idea. So what would anyone in their right mind do? I asked her what her major was. She replied, “I think HR.” And because she seemed like a pleasant person and we had been chatting for about five minutes, I said, “I think me too!” Yes ladies and gentleman, that is how I chose HR. It was a big blessing in disguise and the stars aligned on that day in 2007 for me to meet that person. HR found me through her.

Throughout the next several months I became heavily involved in the HR student organization at my University. I encountered many interpersonal and leadership struggles while involved that year, and as my 5th year came to a close…and I still had one year left (because of the previous four years of, well, nothing)…I was at a cross road. I was about to give up. Did I really want to stay within the leadership function of the HR student group? Did it really mean that much to me? My choice was to leave student leadership all together, or I could grab the bull by the horns and run for President. Those who know me best, know that I take the path of most resistance, usually. I don’t like the easy road, so I ran for President of the student chapter of the HR association. I won. Well, I think I was the only candidate so I won by default, but it was an honor to say the least. I was about to embark on a years’ journey that would change the course of my professional life.

My year as president was eye-opening. I set a goal! Yes people…set goals. You will prosper. That goal was to network with as many HR professionals as possible to build my personal brand and to be known for what I can contribute, even though I was a soon to be graduate. I successfully led our student organization to one of the most successful (financial and recruitment) years since its founding 27 years earlier…or so I was told. My ego was fine, I promise! We fundraised and took 15 students to the National HR conference in New Orleans, I was a board member of the local professional HR chapter representing our student organization and its mission and goals. I met dozens of people that I now call friends and connections. I built my network. I won awards. I got straight A’s (almost), and I had an amazing time! For the first time in my collegiate educational experience, I thrived. The biggest honor of all was when my professor, now mentor and friend, presented me with a leadership award at the end of the year. The award honored his parents and the dedication and hard work throughout their entire lives. It was from him, to me. And boy was it a total cry-fest! I ended that final year of undergrad leading the HR majors for my University in the stadium for commencement. Moments I will never forget! I had started a 12 week internship and following that, because of my network, landed my first HR job.

Fast forward to present time. Functionally, I have a broad experience base. I have worked in employee relations, recruiting, training, on-boarding, and leadership and employment coaching and development. I have worked in pet healthcare, retail, metals recycling, and advertising. The range from conservative to liberal industries (and my crazy childhood) has really stretched my ability to live with ambiguity, deal with constant change, and face challenge and adversity as it arises (daily). As a “true HR professional,” I have worked in three multi-unit organizations spanning across the entire United States and recently crossing over in to Europe. I have had experiences and learned things a decade in to my career that some people only begin to touch  well beyond that in to theirs. Like most HR professionals, I could write a book (or a blog) on the crazy crap we deal with every single day. Yes, people have sex at work and get caught. Yes, you will get fired if you steal. Yes, people do drugs and totally tweak out thinking no one will notice. Yes, if you don’t perform you probably won’t have a job in 30, 60, or 90 days (HR humor). I have partnered with chief level executives, divisional, regional, and mid-level line managers, all allowing me to see organizational objectives from varying points of view. I can manage projects efficiently and effectively; I can comfortably speak in front of large groups of people; I can manage my time better than most people I know – Have you ever played the “$24.00 Time Management Game?”

I don’t write about my experience to brag… I feel accomplished and I still have my whole career ahead of me! AND, I am beyond grateful for those who have mentored and coached me to help me understand that I can be a better me just by giving a little bit more. I would not be where I am at today without the few key people in my professional and personal life who have guided me through missteps, triumphs, and failure. I write about my experiences and success to illustrate my dedication. I aim to be exposed to the numerous facets of HR to help in my journey of being the most well-rounded HR professional that I can be. I want to partner in a new way and show organizations that HR is not the bad guy. We have a seat at the proverbial table and we should fight for it just like everyone else. I truly believe that is what will set me apart from the competition in the field and allow me the opportunity to have control over my next career move.

Like I said, please come along for the ride! You don’t have to agree, but I hope you take something away – A different perspective; Food for thought; A good giggle now and then…

What you should know about my blogging/writing style.

Like everyone, I am not perfect. I may misspell words, and I certainly do not have perfect grammar. But I do my best. I have a casual tone, if you haven’t received that indication already. When I read (that’s something to laugh about…I really don’t like reading all that much), I like getting a sense of who the writer is through their style. I do the same when I write. Enjoy!