Looking for guidance or inspiration? The Now What blog is packed with free advice, tips, and real-world insights to help you navigate work and life with confidence.
As one reader shares, "Amanda embodies what an ideal HR professional should be—empathetic, understanding, and solution-focused. She stands out by prioritizing needs while creating a truly unique and supportive approach."
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Sitting in the Uncomfortable
We’ve all experienced moments of discomfort, whether it’s asking for a raise, giving critical feedback, or tackling a challenging conversation. As an HR professional with over a decade of experience, I’ve learned that enduring these moments of unease can lead to remarkable outcomes.
Navigating Internal Job Opportunities
Recently, a friend of mine faced an exciting opportunity to transition into a different role within their organization. At first glance, this new position seemed like a perfect fit: it aligned with their long-term career aspirations, offered stimulating challenges, and had the potential to boost their visibility and influence within the company.
You Think You’re Underpaid—Now What?
Feeling underpaid can be frustrating and demoralizing, especially when you’re confident in the value you bring to your role. However, addressing compensation concerns requires a strategic approach. Handling this situation with the right tactics can make all the difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating the conversation about your pay.
Difficult Personalities
In any workplace, you’re likely to encounter a range of personalities, some of which can present challenges. Understanding these behaviors and learning effective strategies to manage them can help maintain a positive work environment. Here’s a guide to handling various difficult personalities while focusing on the problem rather than the person.
Is HR Confidential?
The conservative and ever-annoying answer is: it depends. Generally speaking, yes, HR conversations should be confidential. However, it's crucial to understand the boundaries of confidentiality and ensure both parties are clear before delving into a discussion.
Leaving Your Job with Grace
A friend recently asked me how I managed to leave a job gracefully. It’s an interesting question because, looking back, I've always left my jobs on good terms. I stay in touch with former colleagues, would be happy to run into any of them again, and never worry about receiving a poor reference.
Managing Up
Here’s the situation: My manager and I were aligned on a particular issue and how to handle it. When we went together to present our solution to our boss, my manager completely changed his stance. Suddenly, I felt abandoned, standing alone in a spotlight.
Why Should You Care?
I sat there thinking, “Why am I crying about this email I wrote so long ago?” Yes, they provided a stable job and room for professional growth - all the things good employers should do. But those things aren’t what made me loyal to them for over eight years.
Off-boarding Essentials: Insights from an HR Director
Navigating being let go or experiencing a layoff can be challenging. As someone who has overseen employee offboarding as a Director of People and HR, I understand the complexities firsthand. Whether from the perspective of an HR professional or an employee facing termination, there are valuable insights I’ve gained that I’d like to share with you.
Thanks for the Feedback
The most recent piece of feedback I received stopped me in my tracks. First, I was embarrassed. I knew my delivery wasn’t my best work but it was even more mortifying to realize that others noticed it as well. It felt like leaving the house on a bad hair day, hoping nobody would notice, only to find out it was worse than I thought.
Don’t Take it Personally
I can count the number of times I've cried at work, in front of my boss, on one hand—maybe even on one finger. I was put in an extremely difficult situation where I had to make a decision that went against everything I stood for. Before I could check in with my face, tears were streaming down faster than I could catch them.
Dealing With Bullies at Work
Dealing with a workplace bully starts with not trying to understand their motivation. Their actions are a direct reflection of themselves and their own issues, it is not a reflection of you. While it’s natural to take their words or actions personally and let them ruin your day, it is not worth it. After reminding yourself that their behavior is not a reflection of your personal worth, step back and consider your next moves…
I Hate My Job…Now What?
Working a job that leaves you feeling drained or devoid of joy is hard. It’s tough to find motivation when the daily grind becomes a source of dissatisfaction. I’ve been there! When you get to this point, it's important to take a few steps to navigate the situation effectively.
Uncomfortable Conversations
Learn to navigate uncomfortable conversations with confidence! This blog outlines four actionable steps—observation, expectation, questioning, and listening—to transform awkward moments into meaningful dialogue. Discover how to foster trust, resolve issues effectively, and create space for honest communication.