I’m guessing that you have heard of the leadership shadow. The idea that leaders cast shadows across their organisations through their behaviour, their actions, their language. The shadow of the leader gives clues to employees about how to fit in and how to get on within that particular place and culture. Employees look to their leaders to learn what is okay around here, and the shadow is the quiet answer to a subtle question.
But what about the HR shadow? How does that cast across the organisation and influence its culture?
Whether we know it or not, intend it to the case or not, HR is also constantly communicating. Constantly shadow casting.
The wording in the offer letter.
The clauses in the contract of employment.
The tone of voice within the employment policies.
The language in the standard letters.
The forms that need to be filled in.
The choice of communication method.
The speed of the response to people’s questions, requests for help, for support.
The advice you give.
The rules you create.
The processes. Oh the processes.
How much you tell, rather than guide. How much you restrict rather than empower.
The amount of parent and child implied.
The approachability. The availability. The overall visibility.
What you choose to include in the HR remit, and the things that you refuse to do.
The smile on your face.
Put aside for just one moment all those thoughts of strategic value add activity. The engagement initiatives, leadership programmes, total reward package and all the shiny new stuff. Important they may all be. But it is the little stuff that makes up your shadow. It’s the little things that matter. The everyday interactions. The words you write, the tone you use, the way you make people feel, how easy you are to engage with, talk to.
In HR we have the power to set the tone, change the tone; an opportunity that isn’t so readily available to some of our corporate colleagues. We can actually choose what it feels like, to be in our shade. Because those things that comprise it, the things on the list, are within our gift. The HR shadow can be dark and gloomy. Or it can be a place of comfortable shade on a sunny day.
So what does your HR shadow say about you, at your place? Do you even know what it feels like, to be within it?
What shadow do you strive for, every day?
Author: Gemma Reucroft FCIPD, HR Director at Tunstall Group
Blog: www.hrgemblog.com
