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On Authenticity, Greatness and Truthfulness in HR
Aug 16The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it. — Sir Francis Bacon
You’re not an expert if you call yourself one.
You’re not a guru, either.
You’re not authentic if you say things just because people want to hear them.
Here’s a simple fact about authenticity in HR: It’s about telling the truth. And that truth has to be grounded in something more than the flavor of the month. It has to be based on true experience. You can’t tell employees they’re your most important asset, then let a third of them feel like the axe is going to fall any second. You can’t expect people to believe you if you change your mind with the prevailing winds. And you can’t listen to people who call themselves experts and gurus — if they say that, they’re not.
In these tumultuous days, it’s tempting to grasp onto populism. But we have to watch out for the Sarah Palinizing of HR. And anything that Jack Welch says about performance management, too.
What’s your take? Seen a lot of self-proclaimed gurus and experts around? (Especially about social media, as if that’s an end unto itself.) Would you pay for advice for people who say they do things but don’t have the credentials?
About the Author
Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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Yep, actions over words (it’s much more meaningful when someone else says your the expert because they believe it.) and Jack Welch is not gold standard of performance management.
You and I would get along Frank.
@Nancy I do think we’d get along well. There’s something about everyone saying they’re an expert in this or that when it’s clear they haven’t done it. Social media is that way, but so is a lot of HR advice out there. I’m afraid in the echo chamber makes it seem like if people claim expertise often enough, they are. There seems to be no shame about that, which amazes me. Do people really pay for advice from people who haven’t actually done things?
Yes, I’ve seen a lot of gurus, experts and such on social media, especially Twitter. Third party endorsements are a sight better than self-proclaimed expertise. And, a referral from a trusted source is best.
I agree with nelking– there are many other perspectives besides the venerable Jack Welch. The ease of use with social media requires us to be even more vigilant than ever. Just because you read it online, doesn’t make it true!
Frank, excuse the french, but you fucking nailed it!
@Chris, thanks. That means a lot, my friend. And French is my favorite language…I use those words all day.
Right on the money….and I’d add truth builds THE most important thing…TRUST.
@Mark Trust is it. Without that, there’s never any form of commitment.
What about anti-gurus? You know, people who are good at tearing down the systems that need to be torn down? Since they’re the opposite of experts, does it stand logically that they should also be the opposite when it comes to self-promotion? Like, say—and just to be clear, I’m asking for a friend here, not me—what if someone really is an expert at helping people self-destruct? Or fail spectacularly? Something along those lines? Should that person hype his or her expertise then?
Just wonderin’
@Jason Seiden: Jason, let me say it…You are an expert. Plain an simple. You have ideas and you’ve done it. You think things out. You reason. And people pay you handsomely for your advice. Yep, you’re an expert. And I am among many you can quote on that.