As the year comes to a close, it is important to reflect on the year, set intentions for 2018, and see what the New Year has in store for us in the world of human resources. This year, we have seen HR issues dominate the spotlight in the media –sexual harassment, gender pay inequalities, discrimination and more.
We interviewed Brad Federman, Chief Operating Officer at F&H Solutions Group, about what, as leaders, we should expect in 2018. He provides some practical human resources guidance heading into what needs to be, a transformative 2018 for many businesses.
What is one thing all leaders should be mindful of in 2018 when it comes to the workplace?
Brad Federman: Inclusion, inclusion, inclusion. If there is one thing people should learn from all of the sexual harassment allegations and high profile individuals losing their jobs in 2017, is that we need workplaces that allow people to feel consistently safe, valued and respected. Organizations must take a different approach to these issues and move from reactionary compliance efforts to proactive culture building.
What's a leadership/management trend you're forecasting for 2018?
Brad Federman: External will be more important than internal. The world changes so fast and in many ways we have lost stability. It used to be that having mastery of internal organizational issues was key to leadership success. Now, having perspective regarding the external landscape is taking its place as front and center. Great leaders will need to master much more than knowing the business. Knowledge and perspective of the world and industry will be paramount. Organizations will need leaders who can read the tea leaves and see what is coming even when it is not visible to most. Those will be the leaders sought after in the future.
Now that a new year is among us, what's a helpful way to take a step back and assess a project or business endeavor it's been hard to relinquish?
Brad Federman: Sometimes it is important to step back to move forward. When you hit a wall you have to try something new. Each of us processes differently so find a way that works for you. Here are a few ideas:
1. Find a person you respect and get their perspective.
2. Read about another company that has already conquered what you are dealing with. What were their lessons learned?
3. Offer to help someone with their project in exchange for helping you with yours.
What's the trick to sticking to a new-year’s resolution year-round?
Brad Federman: Don’t commit to an idea…commit to a plan. Everyone likes to commit to ideas; especially ideas that feel good or sound good. But what stops us from making a resolution stick is not that the idea grows old, but that the work that comes with it is just not what we committed too. For instance, everyone would like to lose a few pounds. But do you want to wake up a 5:00 am, five days a week to work out? Are you up for changing the way you grocery shop? Eating 5 snacks a day instead of 3 full meals? Eating in instead of eating out? How will this affect your family? Those are just a few of the types of questions that need to be asked and answered in order to determine if you really want to lose the 20 pounds. So quit the resolution business and start the resolution planning now.