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I love my HR network. For over 15 years I have been a strategist, co-leader, influencer and career coach for Mentor HR, an award-wining, competitive leadership and professional development program for HR Professionals in Northern Virginia. It continues to be a highly gratifying experience that I volunteer my time for, and I have a great network of highly skilled HR professionals, many of whom I call friends. So I thought this month, let’s show them some love and appreciation.

I asked top HR professionals a timely question:

What do you wish employees knew about HR this Valentine’s Day?

“That HR’s true focus is on helping an organization to achieve its mission vs. simply being “pro-employee” or “pro-management”.

–Ann, HR Specialist, Federal Government

“That the HR profession goes beyond the most obvious HR activities like benefits, employee relations, onboarding and offboarding. Many of us have technology management skills that allow us to build and manage complex amounts of data that are critical to the success of the business. Also, HR professionals are people too! At times we are the bearers of unpleasant news, and we can do without the destructive remarks and comments.”

–Chloe, HR Director, Consulting

“HR has the tough role of balancing both the needs of the employee and the organization. Some employees think HR always sides with management, but a good HR practitioner works to balance the needs of both — being a voice for employees, while mitigating risk for the employer and in the end, helping improve the relationship in order to achieve a productive and engaging work environment. HR often has to play a key role in difficult situations, such as terminations, but it is important to help make those transitions as smooth as possible for both sides, keeping in mind the human aspect, as well as the business needs.”

-Alicia, Sr. HR Business Partner, NonprofitHR, www.nonprofithr.com

Read our blog post:
Interview Tips to Help You Win the Job (Love, HR)

Time is a funny thing. It seems we never have enough of it these days. Here’s how to put just 10 minutes to use when it comes to making your career goals happen:

1. Practice your pitch

2. Compose and send one new networking email

3. Write your to do list – for the week

4. Meditate on a career challenge

5. Organize your space

6. Write down your top three strengths

7. Research someone new to connect with on LinkedIn

8. Read that article you have been putting off for when you have the time

9. Research and sign up for one networking event

10. Schedule your 10 minutes for the next day

We can all find 10 minutes to work on our career goals. It might take some focus, and a bit of determination, but routinely setting aside 10 minutes a day is a great career management tactic, not to mention a healthy habit you are forming. Remember that doing more and thinking less is the way to reach your goal.

“I’ll never be known for my work with boundaries.”

Fearless heroine, princess, cool under pressure, formidable female force, resilient, powerful voice, battling and overcoming adversity, change agent, unapologetic, author, mental health advocate, loving daughter, razor wit, always herself.

This is just some of what jumps to mind when I think about Carrie Fisher and her career, and who she was as a person. Carrie Fisher became a master at reinventing her career after rocketing to super stardom at just 19, transforming herself from galactic princess to acclaimed author and screenwriter, and openly sharing her dramas with Hollywood life and even exorcising her personal demons through her art. Her life’s experiences were made public largely because she chose to share them, and she was unapologetically herself, owning every bit of it.

What can we learn from Carrie Fisher when it comes to our careers? Well, being pretty fearless – and being true to oneself – is a good start. Building on our strengths, identifying and growing what makes us unique, and taking risks without knowing the rewards is another.

Carrie Fisher built on one of her natural skills that she would also become well known for: writing. Screenplays for many memorable movies were fine-tuned through her contributions, and she spoke of how writing was therapeutic for her, even at the young age of 12. When she was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in her adult life she took on a new role over the years, adding another memorable layer to her lengthy career: becoming a fearless voice and advocate for mental health.

Carrie Fisher is a great example of a memorable brand. She embodied and released an authentic voice that shines when there are no apologies for who you are and what makes you different. She also chose to build on her strengths and make them known, risking to express who she was and what made her so unique, becoming an unforgettable force, not just in a galaxy far, far away, but right here on Earth.

What makes you unique? Check out my other NEW blog post: 5 Steps To Creating Your Brand