Another Man of Character

I always considered HR departments to be the mysterious office space that those on the outside hardly know. As an administrator, I work closely with our HR Director to handle staffing issues. I also negotiate contracts with the HR director on behalf of my colleagues. However, I never get to see what goes on behind the scenes. 

I do not envy their job. Most of the time, HR Directors and their staff have to have difficult conversations with people and tell them that they cannot have what they want. Their functions are often surrounded by negativity, and few ever talk about how great their HR director is. 

Many years ago, when my wife and I had only one son, who was still in a stroller, we were shopping at Brooks Brothers. I never shop for clothes without my wife as she has a keen insight into what clothes will look good on me. While we were shopping, our district’s HR Director at the time was also shopping at Brooks Brothers. I was not in administration yet, and I had only met him briefly two or three times over two years. He came over to us, greeted both my wife and me by name, and knelt down to say hello to our two-year-old son. He got up, told us that we had a beautiful child, and said goodbye. I was touched that he took the time to say hello, that he knew our names, and that he told us what every parent wants to hear about their child. I hardly knew the man, even though he was a colleague. I would not have thought twice if he did not recognize us in public. We have over 400 employees in our district. He made a significant impression on me in that short interaction at Brooks Brothers.

Always treat others that you know with value and respect. The HR Director has retired and moved on to other adventures. He probably forgot about that day at Brook’s Brothers. The interaction he had with us has influenced me ever since. He is another man of character and one I genuinely admire.

Just Be Better.

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.