WHERE IT BEGAN . . .
My son once asked me why I went into Human Resources. He didn’t understand why anyone would want to manage people.
Moving into summer, I considered my “Why.” As I gazed out my window, and see the flowers I just planted, it occurred to me.
Human Resources, or Employee Management in general, is like gardening.
HOW SO:
If you walk through a public garden, you’ll see flower arrangements that are works of art. They are a beautiful compilation of color and form. And those plants aren’t just tossed in. The garden is carefully planned.
For example, succulents and tropical aren’t put together, they need completely different environments to thrive.
A garden made of just one type of plant can be attractive. But, the most beautiful gardens have a variety of plants. Plants are selected to fit the environment, then placed to compliment and contrast with the plants around it. The garden is full of a variety of colors, sizes, heights, even fragrances. Managing employees is similar.
IT’S ON US:
It’s our job as managers to identify what our employees need, and what resources are available in the organization. We build our teams considering individual strengths, traits, and skills. A successful team brings a variety of skills, experiences, and opinions, and the manager knows how to bring them together to work as one unit. Under a skilled “gardener,” we build a beautiful (ie effective, productive and engaged) team.
THE REWARD:
The gardener takes joy in seeing each plant reach its potential. The manager enjoys seeing employees get promoted, get recognized, achieve their goals. But the manager shouldn’t take credit for it. The gardener doesn’t make the flowers bloom. The gardener provides the right conditions, the right resources, and waits to see if the flowers will bloom. And when they all bloom together, it is a wondrous sight.
IS IT AN EASY JOB?
Certainly not. Like gardening, it takes hard work. Bad weather, thorns, and rocks all make the job challenging. But the gardener digs in, and doesn’t mind the dirt under the fingernails. He shelters his plants from the storm the best he can. And then he stands back and waits and watches.
So, let me ask you. How are you tending your “garden” this summer? Do you know what your staff need to thrive, both individually and as a team? Are you building in a variety of skills, experiences, backgrounds to give your team diversity? As we move into summer, I wish you much sun, just enough rain, and lots of blooms.
MORE INFORMATION:
If you have any questions about tending your staff, or how it may affect your business, please contact your Hausmann-Johnson partner.
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