Second Thoughts
Our company 3D HR is two years old. So as on any birthday, it’s a time to look back and also to look forward. I have just read through all my previous blogs and it’s interesting how often I come back to the subject of thinking and reflection.
There are several sayings in English about thinking: “on second thoughts”, “think again”, “think once, think twice”. Apparently the biology or neurology behind it is that our first thoughts release the neuro-transmitter dopamine which can trigger an immediate or impatient response; the second thought starts a cognitive process with a longer term perspective. Taking time to “think again” results in a qualitative improvement in decision-making or reflection.
Perhaps the most important time to have second thoughts is when sending e-mails. A quick, one-thought reaction and hitting the send button can do immense damage to relationships and even businesses. Save to draft gives time for reflection and perhaps redrafting or even deletion.
Thoughts on our second year: it’s been a great variety of differing challenges, from developing HR policies and procedures to number-crunching salary reviews to facilitating meetings between employees and managers. Working with large and small organisations, as a one-off or over several months. Travelling to London, Swindon and southern Africa. Being part of a larger consultancy, with a colleague and working on my own. On second thoughts, would I do it again and start my own company? Absolutely!
Looking to the future: it is worth reflecting on where my strengths lie and therefore where my focus should be for future work. Developing and writing clear, consistent and concise HR policies and procedures and finding ways to improve accessibility – through an on-line Staff Handbook – is a strength. So is facilitating and chairing one-to-one meetings between employees and their manager. Up-front training is less of a strength and marketing the business is where I need external assistance. And of course planning and making time for regular reflection, to deliberately think again about what I am doing and where I am spending my time, creating a good work-home balance, is crucial.
What do you need to take time to reflect on and think again?
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