Everything I learned, I learned in Kindergarten (from an HR Perspective)

Do you remember? We got all dressed up, new backpack, lunch box sporting Kermit the Frog, spiffy new shoes and enthusiasm to match.

Without knowing it, that first year we learned how to navigate our social interactions and create the fundamentals of acceptable behaviors. These basic lessons provide us the tools we still use today both on our social and professional playgrounds.

We learned about how to effectively communicate with others using basic manners like please and thank you. We patiently waited our turn, learned how to play nice with others and started to understand that how we communicated directly affected the response we received.

In class, we were provided with detailed instructions, to write our name on the top right hand corner of our papers and were graded on how we performed. Our designated space was provided to us by way of a carpet square or a number painted on the ground and we were taught to respect the space of others.

Being inclusive was inherent. We had fun. Remember recess? I think we call them coffee breaks now. Here we learned to take turns, share, be competitive and release our ever so abundant energy.

It is these elementary concepts that we learned from a very young age that we, as HR professionals know is the key to creating a memorable place to work.

• Be kind to one another and use your manners.

• Create resources and tools that will effectively support employee growth.

• Engage with employees and provide a work environment that is well balanced.

• Acknowledge positive behavior, an employee who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected of them.

• Promote a work environment of inclusiveness, avoid stigmas.

Let’s complete the circle and get back to kindergarten basics. Set expectations, create boundaries, provide transparent feedback and have fun!

Inspired by my endless relatable conversations with my elementary school principal sister.