Interviews have started and we are working our way through the process and trying to glean as much information as possible from the candidates. I am finding that one question in particular is causing problems with our candidates. That question is:

 “Tell me about the best team you’ve ever been on and what made it so good?”

The thing about this question is that I use it as a pretty standard interview question when working with our hiring teams. However, it has some enhanced meaning now that I am looking for someone for my own team. It’s causing me to think long and hard about how I would answer the question and truly what answer I am looking for when I ask it.

I must begin applying this dual role I have now as not only the hiring manager but also the HR Director. So, I have to answer the question with something other than a theoretical answer and cannot simply wait for the hiring manager to tell me what they are looking for. I hate stumping myself!

I know that I value team members who are willing to challenge me and bring inspiration to continuously improve how we serve all of our stakeholders. I’ve been on good teams (which is part of what makes it difficult to answer my own question by picking a “best team”) and I’ve been on teams that were not so good!

One answer that has turned me off is hearing that someone has never been on a good team. If someone has never been on a good team, can they know how to be a positive influence on ours?  Another example that gives me pause is hearing about a sports team that someone was on back in high school. That kind of answer generally prompts a follow-up about a work team. Sometimes, we do not get an answer to that follow-up question.

So to the wise people out there, how would answer the question I pose? Alternatively, is there another way I can ask it so that I am getting the sense that the people I am talking to can be a good team member and bring value to our organization?

PS – If you are a candidate for one of the positions for which I am interviewing and get this question from me, congratulations as your research ahead of the interview has garnered a little nugget of information that you can use to prepare!

More than once while he was home, my wife and I remarked about the changes we noticed. While we expected there to be changes, we weren’t certain how they would manifest and what would be different versus the same for this first extended time at home. I can confirm they were positive! I know for me, I am confident that the path ahead for him will be bright, even if it doesn’t exactly follow the path he anticipates. While, like any parent, I hope beyond all hopes that what he wants to do is where he ends up, I know from personal experience that the path ahead is uncertain.

Even as I look at the 19 year old growing before me, I am forced to recognize that my own path ahead is still an unwritten future. This doesn’t bother me in the least and, after some time away, I’ve allowed that same calmness to work for my son as well. I’ve been fortunate that my path has led me to where it has so far. The faith that I have in that for me must be true for my children as well.

The path ahead leads where it is meant to lead

So, as he pulled out of the driveway this afternoon to head back for the Spring semester, my optimism for him matches the optimism I have for my own path too.  I must simply remind myself that every journey has obstacles yet these do not automatically prevent us from moving forward and in some cases provide just the spark needed to accomplish great things. So, the path ahead leads where it is meant to lead. Enjoy the journey and know that growth can come from every step forward we take.

My blogging goal for 2018 is to foster good debate and discussion on topics. Each week, a post putting out a question will go up. In the days that follow, I will invite people to chime in and provide their perspective(s) on the topic so that the next week’s post can include value taken from across the spectrum. The resolution post will include my own perspective on the topic and the next week’s question.

So, 1st up for 2018. January is often a month of organization and clean out. What are your feelings on a messy desk versus a clean one? Reply using either the comment box below or to me via e-mail Brad-at-rollercoasterhr.com

Summer evenings in my home had many of the same things that anyone would experience. Kids chasing fireflies, the music of ice cream trucks, and lots of kids playing around the neighborhood. One thing that many places didn’t have, nightly fireworks displays!

I lived near Kings Island (just north of Cincinnati) and part of the park’s allure was the fireworks display that took place each night at closing time. When the booms started, I knew it was 10:00 (or 11:00 on Saturdays) and would, from time to time, get to see the colorful display.

Once I started working at the park, the fireworks meant the end of a workday. So much so that over time I did not even notice the masses of people watching in fascination the nightly display. There were times I even cursed the fireworks if the wind was blowing just right and brought the exploded shells to my ride. That meant some additional cleaning!

Fast forward a few years and my girlfriend (now my wife!) and I went to her grandparent’s house and she was very excited about the fireworks display on the banks of the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana. Dusk came and we made our way down to the park and waited for the display. She always talked about this event as a highlight from her childhood and was excited to share it with me.  When the show started, I was underwhelmed. Why?

Well, to me fireworks were an everyday event that did not merit much in the way of special attention. For many others, they signify a special event or a holiday and really stand out.

There are likely things in all of our worlds that we view as everyday or ordinary. Yet to someone else, it can be an extraordinary thing. That’s important to remember when talking to others. We each have and do things that we think are nothing special. In reality, these things are likely extraordinary to someone else. Don’t discount your own work or experience. Cherish the moments that can make an impact for someone else. Remember to step back and enjoy the fireworks!

Yes, we are all “different” and that matters.

However, being different doesn’t mean being immune to change or needing to be adverse to trying things in a new or novel way. Different is not an excuse.

Be different. If something doesn’t work, try something different again!

While fighting the “different” bug, it’s often tempting to cite a best practice or exactly copy what another organization is doing.

Here’s the thing; we are different so some adaptation or change is likely to be needed to another’s best practice or procedure. It’s worth a shot and being open to different may lead to something else. That something is being better! This is always something to strive for. Better than we are now, better than others, better than yesterday.

Different is better. And better is different!

My son, an incoming junior in high school, finished his summer reading this past weekend, hasn’t located his backpack to use, and is spending more time worried about his appearance for school pictures on the 1^st day than on determining exactly where he is supposed to go first on the 1^st day!

My daughter, entering 7^th grade, has had her backpack prepped for a few weeks, rechecked it several times to ensure everything is in the correct order within the backpack, and already knows where her 1^st class is located so she can go right there when she arrives at school!

The vast differences in the preparation of these 1^st days I imagine are quite reflective of not only their personalities, but age too. While he would not admit it, there is excitement in my son to get going in this year. Meanwhile, my daughter certainly has apprehension of a new year with new teachers and the rise of additional expectations that come with each advancing year in school.

These are the same feelings that appear in our people at work from time to time too. I’m sure someone you work with is experiencing excitement about future possibilities while another may be feeling anxious over events where they have little or no control. What are doing to support this spectrum of humanity? Do you know where you fall on it?

One of the reminders that I am most likely to use at work this time of year as we have many new people joining the District is that while we in HR have heard a question many times, for this person, this is their 1^st time hearing our answer. Are we making sure that the answer is as complete and informative for this person as it was for the 1^st person who asked it on our 1^st day? It’s important that we make every effort to make it so!

Enjoy the 1^st day. While you’re at it, enjoy the 1000^th one just as much!

What class (in high school, college, or grad school) influences you now in a way that you did not anticipate at the time you originally took the class?

I know I need to think on this one for a bit. I hope you do as well!

My answer comes in my next post! Feel free to chime in.

My intent is not to answer any of life’s big questions (like who will win a battle between Batman and Superman) but to trigger some exploration and reflection. My plan is to post the question for all to see on Monday and provide my own response to it the following day. Even if this doesn’t trigger public discussion or disclosure, I hope that anyone reading this will think to themselves about how they might answer the question.

Look for the series to begin next week. Until then, stay warm and safe my friends!

It’s time to do some thinking and reflecting.

While I love and miss Bloomington and so many people in it, there is no doubt that our decision to move was the best decision for our family. We have been very fortunate to land in a community (Portage/Kalamazoo) that is vibrant, found schools where our children can thrive, and remain close enough to see family and friends on a regular basis.

Our home requires us to embrace winter!

In this age of instant communication, remaining connected to my larger network is still amazingly easy. I’ve come to realize that people who some would only regard as HR colleagues or associates are truly my friends and a constant source of support. While that network has not grown in a local way as much as I wish, being able to reach out to friends in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, California, and many other states gives me stability that others may not have.

Yet, there is still a feeling that there is more to be had by moving forward. It’s the pull of the unknown and the desire to add to my own life experience. My relentlessly positive outlook, while challenged at times, still tells me that moving forward is not only inevitable, but the best way to go.

Of course, there are limits to what can be done by any one person at any one time and part of progress involves letting go of the old in order to grasp the new. This recent trip to my old home, more so than others I’ve taken, has inspired me to examine what must go so that I can move ahead to the amazing things that await in the months and years ahead.

Several concrete steps are in process now. First, my home office, which I allowed to become a room to collect junk, has been rehabbed and is again a functional space. This post is being written while I enjoy being surrounded by the things that have molded me in my professional career.

Second, on a more personal note, is the execution of the kitchen remodel my wife and I have talked about since we moved to Michigan some two and a half years ago. Our cabinets are on order and a large check was written to get the process going.  We are both excited about this and look forward to modernizing the one area of our house that needs it desperately.

There will certainly be more change and growth to come and I look forward to the future and the promise it brings!

Like many, I too fall victim to “needing” the next big thing or fanciest device rather than being appreciative of an experience or what is already in my possession. I fully admit that I am guilty of this, yet there are still times when I am able to make a conscious effort to be fully present and emphasize the importance of the experience. Thankfully, there are times when I can sit back and reflect on what is important and realign myself to be who I truly am and not simply what either society or my organization wishes me to be.

Being a copy of someone else isn’t allowing you to share your own gifts or your own values. Please don’t be a mere visitor to your life. Live well and be comfortable having a sense of uncertainly and an appreciation for the wonder in your world. It is truly magnificent!