Ms. HR

Hmm... How does he do that? How can he possibly remember everyone’s name? Oh how I wish I could be more like him!


People are asking me wherever I go in my work community, “Patti, how are you doing in your new job?” “Gosh,” I might answer them, “I’m not sure!” Perhaps I should ask my co-workers how I’m doing to get somewhat of a gauge --- but not today.

You friends who are reading this page probably know me better than those in my new work environment. Even if you have never met me but have read just a few of my blogs, you know me better than my new co-workers. You, for instance, could be expecting the unexpected to come out of my mouth. Those I work with are still scratching their heads. Take today, for example, we were conducting panel interviews for a Pest Control Technician position. I know more today than I ever knew about bugs! Did you know there are American, German and Oriental Cock Roaches? And, the American Cockroach is the one you would most likely find residing in downtown Denver. (Yes, I’m off track) And the pest that is making the headlines currently is the Bed Bug! (I wonder if anyone noticed I was scratching the imaginary bugs crawling up and down my legs while I was taking notes). Whether or not they noticed me scratching, I noticed the questionable looks coming my way at other things I was or was not doing.

It’s always good to make a solid professional impression as “Human Resources” with one’s new co-workers as well as those candidates competing for a position in your organization. By the way, my name is no longer “Patti”. My name has become “HR” as in “She’s HR” or “This is HR” or “HR is here”. As the interviews progressed through applicant after applicant, one thing became consistent. I COULDN’T REMEMBER ANYONE’S NAME! Even with their resume before me, as I introduced them to the panel members and began to explain what to expect during the interview, I would invariably call them “Tom” when it should have been “Sam” , or ”Mario” when it should have been “Marvin”. I was trying so hard to live up to my new name, “Ms. HR” and get things right! As the candidates graciously corrected me, I would look around the room at my peers to gauge their expressions. And I saw….. I saw… well, nothing. No smile, no understanding, nothing….. Only their eyes widening with each new name blunder. They were experiencing “Pulling a Patti” and they didn’t even realize what this experience meant! As the morning progressed, I couldn’t read into what they were thinking of me as their faces remained sober. As we were ending up with our final candidate, thanking him for his time, standing up to shake his hand and calling him the wrong name, I was proud of the good “HR” person that I have become. I treated all candidates fairly – no one was called by their right name. Whew! One after the other, I embarrassed myself – but fairly and consistently, without prejudice!
 
God tells us in Isaiah 43:1 “I know your name; you are mine!

He is the ultimate Human Resource!