Who’s helping HR? Empowering the support system
17th November 2024
As a wellbeing coach for high-achieving women, and someone who has spent years in HR, I often reflect on the unique pressures HR professionals face. HR is often described as the heart of an organisation, tasked with supporting employees through challenges, fostering positive cultures, and implementing policies that align with company values.
But who supports HR when the weight of these responsibilities becomes overwhelming?
HR: The Silent Caregivers
HR professionals are often expected to hold it all together. We are the ones ensuring others feel heard, empowered, and valued. But in doing so, we can sometimes lose sight of our own needs. During my own time in HR, I experienced moments of fulfilment and joy but also moments of deep struggle. There were days when I felt unseen and unsupported, particularly by upper management.
In those moments, the one thing that kept me afloat was the network of relationships I had built across the organisation. These connections weren’t just professional alliances; they were lifelines. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone, even when I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Values in the Workplace: The Invisible Compass
One of the most transformative lessons I learned in my career was the importance of understanding and aligning with my core values. For me, these values are trust, freedom, and recognition, and few more. When these were compromised or disregarded in the workplace, I often felt disoriented, frustrated, and even betrayed.
If you’ve ever felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort or disillusionment at work, it’s worth considering whether your values are being disregarded. At the time, I recognised that the organisation I was in didn’t honour my career values. This realisation was painful, but it also clarified my path forward. Knowing my values gave me the courage to create boundaries, advocate for myself, and, ultimately, make decisions that aligned with my wellbeing (which was another value).
Building Resilience in HR
Resilience isn’t just a buzzword in HR; it’s a necessity. Every day, HR professionals navigate challenging conversations, mediate conflicts, and manage the emotional weight of others’ struggles. Without resilience, it’s easy to burn out.
Recently, I discovered a practice that has become a cornerstone of my resilience-building toolkit: Havening Techniques.
Havening is a psychosensory approach that helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and even past trauma by leveraging the soothing power of touch and visualisation. Before heavy meetings or days that fill me with dread, I turn to Havening.
This simple yet powerful technique allows me to calm my mind, regulate my emotions, and approach challenges from a place of strength and clarity. Beyond its immediate effects, Havening has also helped me process past experiences that once felt overwhelming.
For HR professionals, who often absorb the emotional energy of others, Havening can be a game-changer. It’s a way to release what no longer serves you and fortify your mental and emotional reserves.
Who Supports HR?
So, when HR is struggling, who is there to help? The answer isn’t always clear and most of the time, there is no one to help. Organisations must do better in recognising the unique pressures HR faces and creating systems of support. But in the meantime, HR professionals must take charge of their own wellbeing.
Whether it’s leaning on trusted colleagues, exploring resilience-building practices like Havening, or working with a coach who understands your challenges, the key is to prioritise your own needs.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and as HR professionals, you owe it to yourselves—and the employees you support—to be at your best.
A Final Note
To my fellow HR professionals: you are not alone. Whether you are in a season of joy or struggle, remember to check in with yourself. Identify your values, nurture your relationships, and explore tools that empower you to thrive.
HR might be the heart of the organisation, but it’s your heart that keeps you going. Take care of it.