Email Jim at jim.thompson@ipulpmedia.com

The best are like the one I talked about a few weeks ago. The worst are ones who participate in workplace gossip. The second worse ones seek recognition for themselves or their department.

I think the most important attribute is to understand people and particularly to be able to tell when people are telling you the truth (or not).

As for the law, engage an HR lawyer early and have them teach you what you need to know. Get their commitment to update you as the laws are updated.

If you are seeking recognition or glory, an HR position is not for you. A good HR department is in the background, supporting management and protecting the company. As I said earlier in this series, HR is a defensive position. HR does not make touchdowns.

Another matter you need to learn thoroughly is what your company does. Start at the macro level and drill down based on a schedule you develop. New in the job? Strive to know your area of personnel responsibility within six months. By this, I don't mean your personal job, but the jobs of the working people in your area (yes, I know you work, too, I am trying to distinguish you from the people who "spin the invoice printer.")

It does my heart good to walk out on the shop floor in a facility and see an HR person alongside a production employee learning their job.

Then, interviewing new candidates. This is your job to orchestrate and to participate. You may want some competent outside help to teach you the finer points of interviewing and organizing department interviews. It is costly to make hiring mistakes. Very costly.

Do these things and your managers, your senior managers, will reward you, for you are keeping them from having to deal with things that get in their way. You are a real contributor!

Be safe and we will talk next week.

If you would like to dig a little deeper [click here].

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