Dare to be Different

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman....

Don't worry, I'm not daring to be THAT different. Those few words, to most people, are the opening bars of Stand By Your Man. A good ole country tune made famous by the late, Great Tammy Wynette.  Now you might think these words don't have a lot to do with HR, except perhaps form a diversity perspective?

Well the truth is, they don't. And yet...

I sang these words, and many others, last Friday and Saturday night. Each year some good friends organise a summer camp for about 250 people. It's great fun, hugely relaxing (for most people). I'm asked to kick the proceedings off by picking up a guitar, playing and singing to the masses. It's frightening. Actually it's terrifying. Nerves, fear, they both have a habit of....restricting us. And it's important to push on through. And so I do. An hour of Friday evening passes, stage lights, stage frights! A few brave folk come up and join me for a duet or two. And we get through it. Actually we tear the roof off the marquee, then put it back again.

I only do this once a year, and the feeling of vitality it leaves me with endures and aids me through other challenges long into and beyond the summer.

We all have the responsibility to encourage, and empower. I'm not suggesting we all try to copy this method of managing fear and achieving inspiration. I do encourage, oh go on then, dare you....to be different. Not often, but just enough to show that HR folk have a true leadership role, and the ability and vitality to forge great connections with others.

Altogether now:

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line...

http://stopdoingdumbthingstocustomers.com/leadership/dare-to-be-different/