Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Over the past few weeks our country lost two individuals who made a profound impact on our country - Tim Russert and George Carlin.  Very different people with dramatically different styles, perspectives and occupations. One reverent, respectful thoughtful and religious…the other…quite the opposite.  One tried to keep people honest, the other brutally honest to the point of being offensive to some.

Though they were very different people they shared some commonalities - they were both admired by their peers, won industry awards and were best selling authors.  Most importantly, they both made us think about ourselves, our country and our cultures.   

They used their minds, researched their topics and reached out to Americans to send a similar message in different ways - challenge the status quo. Our country will miss both as they kept us and others on their toes. 

Rest in peace gentlemen…job well done.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

The comedian George Carlin is known for his extensive vocabulary and cynicism centering on how we sometimes use words to convey unique meanings.  We give new meanings to old words to re-characterize an event or action. 

George Carlin would be proud of the HR profession!  Perhaps the following sampling of workplace related buzzwords and phrases may ring a bell:

Downsize
Rightsize
Change Management
Climbing the Ladder
Lateral Move
Career Transition
Job Rotation
Re-organization
Horizontal Organization
Flat Organization
Deadwood
Strategic Partner
Networking
Outplacement
A seat at the table
Spouse Relocation
Career Relocation
Pre-placement Exam
Lonely at the Top
Succession Planning

And the list goes on…and on…

I am as guilty as anyone as I find myself occasionally peppering my conversations with a few of these choice words or phrases. Perhaps well-intentioned, these “sayings” may not always hit the mark. 

Just ask someone who has been let go from their job.  Tell them they have been “rightsized” or “downsized”.  And don’t forget to wish them luck with their “career transition” and possible career and spousal relocation.  Perhaps they will find a “flat” organization where opportunities abound for upward or lateral movements.  Add that, in the future, they might have fewer direct reports and be able to be more of a strategic partner with the organization’s leadership.  And, fortunately for them, they will receive outplacement and a separation package with the prospects of neutral employment references.  Put yourself in the place of the person receiving this message - what’s your reaction?

I know a number of HR professionals who are fed up with the rhetoric.  They are recognizing that all the nice sounding words and phrases sometimes land on deaf ears - trying to soften the blow doesn’t change reality.  Maybe direct, honest conversation may come back in vogue.  Nice sounding words might be useful for marketing and packaging ideas, but I think we tend to forget the intelligence of the intended audience.   

Given the challenges that we all face finding and keeping top performers, perhaps direct dialogue with employees without the fluff might be more effective in support of achieving organizational objectives and goals. What do you think?