A Letter to My Younger Self: 5 Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner as an HR Leader

I’ve been in the HR field for more than 30 years, and boy, have I learned a lot along the way! While life is a journey, some of these lessons could have made me more effective in my role sooner (and possibly even reduced some stress). So, I thought I’d share a few of these lessons with you as a letter to my younger self.

To my younger self:

As I write, I imagine you’ve tucked the kids in bed for the night and have jumped onto the computer to tackle your inbox and knock out a few tasks before bedtime. You’re driven by your love for your work and the people you impact. But part of you is also driven by the need to ease the sense of being overwhelmed and the uncertainty you occasionally feel. Those were some long days!

Here are five things I’ve learned over the years that I wish I could have understood sooner.

1. Know the business 

Know the core business vision, strategy, and organizational goals. Then, understand the role talent plays in achieving those goals. Your knowledge has a direct impact on influencing business success. It shapes who you recruit and how you develop talent. It influences how you design and implement initiatives. Knowledge is your roadmap, and people want a leader who knows where they are going. 

2. Be an expert in your field   

Know the HR craft. This is your profession, so be sure to invest in and grow your knowledge and be the HR expert on the teams you support. Don’t forget technology has a way of accelerating change—I’m thinking about the AI shift we’re experiencing now. Keeping up with evolving business trends, HR practices and technology will help you maintain your edge.  This will help you remain agile and be able to adapt HR solutions in your organization as the business, the markets, and sometimes, even the world changes. 

3. Be present in the org 

Step away from your desk and engage in conversations. In addition to getting to know the people you work with directly, be sure to keep your finger on the pulse of the broader organization. It’s easy to become insular if you only interact with the leadership team or your direct staff. Engage with employees. Be visible and present. Actively listen. Don’t multitask. Remember, being present isn’t just about your physical presence. It’s about showing up physically and mentally.  

4. Live the culture 

Corporate values bind organizations, and they truly matter. While you have probably always been close to values and culture in your previous HR roles, it is time to take full ownership and bring the ideas to life. Don’t talk just about values and ethics; act on them. Help managers and employees understand their importance. Join forces with others who make culture and values a top priority. Eyes are on you—especially during challenging times, so live by example and bring the values and culture to life in the HR organization. 

 Always be prepared to do the right thing—even if it costs you your job.  

5. Find the balance

We simultaneously serve the mission of the company, its leaders, and our people. Your responsibility is to serve the purpose of all three truthfully, but it’s important to remember that you won’t be able to make everyone happy all the time. It can be overwhelming—even for the best pros—who want to serve all stakeholders. Stay authentic, be honest and act with professionalism. Success is knowing you worked to the best of your ability to achieve a great outcome for all.  

Some Final Thoughts and Personal Advice… 

While I’ve learned many other things along the way, understanding these concepts has impacted me the most. As I close this letter, I want to end with a few final thoughts: 

• Don’t forget to have fun in your job!  
• Enjoy working with your HR staff and helping them build their skills. Enjoy the process of creating a high-quality HR organization and know you’re making a difference.  
• Be grateful for the opportunity to positively impact so many people’s lives through your work. 

Love, 

Christy