You see a rainbow, I see a dark cloud
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Guess what fuckers? I’m back.
I’m truly back. I was suffering a little bit of a wobble there, things were all getting a little bit weird and Kafkaesque. But then I had a moment, an epiphany. And for this I give thanks to a wonderful twitter friend.
Following my post the other day, they sent me a tweet that started me thinking, but I wasn’t sure I totally understood and so I asked them to email me their thoughts in a little more detail,
………I (and presumably others) arrived at your blog and kept reading because it often strikes a chord with lots of corporate nonsense, such as unthinking acceptance of Ulrich etc. Posts like “Coachy-coachy-coo-coo” contain the kinds of conversations that I have. And all the CEO stuff…. absolutely – they are all mad.
It is hard to blog in public about some aspects of working life, as to be really interesting (and not watered down) requires truth and integrity – and that’s just not possible if using one’s own ID. Well, it is possible if future employment isn’t a worry, and it is possible for consultants, journalists and academics. So to be real as a blogger, you have to be unreal.
And all of a sudden I started thinking again. The reason that I started to blog was that I was tired with the absolute crap that I heard in the corporate world. I found the content of the HR press and journals nauseating in the extreme with their sycophantic following of the “in” organisations like RBS (until they went tits up) and flirtation with the latest fads and fashions. And most of all I was amazed at the way that HR blogs were predominantly used as a way of people promoting their individual careers. Either because they were consultants or because they had one eye on moving into consultancy or…..heaven forbid….key note speaking.
I don’t want to achieve any of that from this blog. The reason I started was a reaction to all of the above and the desire to reach out and say, “we don’t have to take all of this so damned seriously you know?” Someone needs to stand up and tell it as it is, someone needs to break through the bullshit, someone needs to hold others to account. If bloggers can’t do this then who the hell can?
I’m not going to change the world, I said that from the start. But if I can make you laugh, If I can make one young HR pro or student look and think about things differently, if I can make you fill your lungs up, lift your head and get back on with your work knowing that it isn’t just you. If I can do that, then everything else that goes with it is worthwhile.
Even if it means going back into the shadows.
My Hell is Other People 
The other thing to add to your list of “if I can …” is letting other like-minded individuals know they are not alone!
A while back I was part of a large (63+) international HR team who were following the Ulrich model blindly and all spoke HR – I felt like the boy in the King’s New Clothes. It’s so refreshing to find someone human in the HR world.
The power of a caped crusader is as much filling the hearts of the righteous as it is battling darkness head on.
For every line of sense you write – free from political compromise & arse covering by your mask of anonymity – you give strength (as per the email) to those who see the Emperor as a fat pompous naked person with a very small willy.
Unfortunately through choosing this path you run the risk of being unmasked by some “New Clothes Tailor” with a vendetta, but for the majority of people who inhale your words like a breath of fresh air we will fight to maintain your anonymity so you can maintain your writing integrity unchecked.
Don’t get me wrong – you’re no Bruce Wayne (although your own personal potential bat cave project does sound exciting ;), but there are many many people (& more yet to come across your musings) who will be glad that Theo, @TheHRD, isn’t hanging up his rubber mask just yet 🙂
Please stay in the shadows. I can’t cope with all this rampant online narcissism. The nicest thing anyone ever said to me was “you are not like other HR people.” Eight years later, I still think of it as a huge compliment. Anyone who starts a post about HR with “Guess what fuckers” is my kind of HR pro.
I can’t say it any better than the commenters above…you do a wondeful job b/c you are not like the others.
No self-promotion, no holding back, and a lot of balls (or is it bollocks?)
I believe I told you this before but: stay gold ponyboy, stay gold.
Fishing for compliments mo fo? Pretty sure :p
Yeah I like that you think differently. HR def needs that.
My blog is generally positive about shit that I like, but then again I make no money from it- and it doesn’t get me speaking gigs. I just like doing it. Plus I’m young and I still have a lot to learn.
Cherio and god bless your cotton socks
Xx
As someone observing HR from the outside – it is good to know that you are not all Stepford Wives, or hit men for the mob, or other form of pastey heartless gits that mindlessly incant the latest & lamest corporate or theoretical crap. Because – even from the outside – you guys often do all look alike. Welcome back motherfucker! Honesty – dare to speak it!
What really sickens me, is all those people blowing smoke up your arse. It’s true that most of us smell the bulshit, but more of us should speak our mind too.
I know you don’t do it for the props Theo. If you did, I wouldn’t read it.
Yeah well done, whateva… 😉
Best. opening. line. ever.
*phew*
please stay an international man of mystery
To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t care less about HR. I don’t know why you bother doing it either- it clearly causes you grief, and it sounds like a world full of utter bullshit. Probably the money is good.
That said, I enjoy reading your blog.
@BJH – Thanks….and yes, I’ll add that to the list.
@Alex Hens – Haha….thanks Alex…..I’m taking it you’re saying the Emperor has a small willy right?
@NZHRGuy – “You are not like other HR people” amen to that sentiment.
@Corporate Daycare – It’s absolutely bollocks….all the way!
@Jess Booth – As long as you’re yourself I will never criticize…..unless you call me mo fo again!
@g-dog – 🙂 🙂 🙂
@Stephen O’Donnell – Let us speak the truth together then?
@laurie – *deep breath* gee thanks……ummm *blush*….yikes……
@Aussie HR Chick – Cue the music…..
@fernandomando – You probably just summed it up in three lines!