HR can be a very tiring and personally challenging profession.  


We are shifting between proactive (remember that planning) and reactive (“can I have 5 minutes?”) all day every day.  



This requires a real understanding of your natural tendencies (see my first blog) so that you can create a working style which delivers without draining you of all life and positivity.


I have a few ideas to start your thinking in this direction:


1) Consider your natural style


  • Someone who relishes deadlines and last minute rush will likely be more comfortable with reactive work.  Happily dealing with the next walk in issue which comes their way.  Potentially more extrovert and more interested in chatting things through.  A great strength for those HR people in recruitment, training or HRBP roles as you are making connections and working with others.  But you might fail to get traction on longer term plans.
  • Someone who prefers plans and being ready ahead of time, might have more introvert tendencies and prefer quiet work rather than discussion and in the moment responses.  But they might miss out on making vital connections in the business and understanding what you internal clients really need from you.


2) Whatever your natural style, to succeed in most HR roles you need a balance of both aspects.

  • Natural talkers need to build in planning time each month with allocated slots to move forward with longer term planning.  They will enjoy doing this more with someone else, getting out flip charts and pens and being more active but the work needs to be schedule, calendar slots and stuck too.  This will take practice.
  • Natural planners need to make sure they seize the opportunities to get out and talk.  Avoid emails when you can, pop around to see someone or do a zoom call, even a phone call rather than an email.  Build in at least one face to face session per week.  Invite others in with clinic slots or weekly drop-in sessions – office open Friday with cake and coffee for any questions perhaps.  Look to create the balance.


3) Planning it all in

  • Look at each quarter as a block and make sure you have balance across reactive time and proactive time.
  • Make sure you are watching your energy levels and positivity levels.  Talkers may feel glum with long planning sessions to perhaps take yourself to a coffee shop rather than a grey meeting room.  Planners may feel overwhelmed with too much talk, a bit of fresh air and lunch alone will help to reset.  Learn to feel the signs within you and have some techniques ready to help you reset and regain energy and positivity.
  • If you are leading a team consider discussing and sharing these ideas with your team.  If you take on the responsibility of creating and maintaining the focus and momentum for your team this could lead to burnout or resentment so own it and share the job.  HR can be draining even for those of us most suited to it, so start by understanding yourself and then share the load.


Do share any other ideas you have for creating the balance between reactive and proactive work.