Feeling Overwhelmed in New HR Role: Should I Stay or Move On? Seeking Your Guidance

Hi All,

I am Gayathri, working as an HR person in a manufacturing company. I have been working here for 1 year, and this is my first job. Recently, our management is planning for vertical HR, and in this regard, I was promoted to Assistant Manager - HR and transferred to one of our divisions. Here, problems start. Everyone in that division is against me because the person who was already looking after HR was transferred to another department, and she has good support in that division. Right now, I am doing a one-man show there, facing many problems.

Even though I am trying to take all of this in a positive way, they are making me feel like "I can't handle all these things." I can't express the problems I am facing here. So, I have decided to shift the company.

Friends, please guide me on this.

Gayathri

Hi Gayathri,

It is everywhere. You can't shift companies for these types of reasons. Try to have a friendly, at the same time, professional relationship with them. Show your patience. It will take time to gain their confidence. Don't lose your patience so easily.

Thanks,
Manish

Dear Gayathri,

Yes, as mentioned by Manish, this type of problem will be there everywhere. Even I was one who had thought like you. It happens when we don't have any support. Tell me, what will you do if you have to face similar kinds of problems wherever you go? I would suggest you continue in the same job for some more days. That will help you gain two kinds of advantages. First, the people who are against you will try to calm down once they see you strong. Then, you can gain more experience as an Assistant Manager, which will help you when you change jobs. Anyways, all the best to you.

Regards,
Amith R.

Hi,

Manish is right. It is a wrong reason to quit! In professional life, situations like these will keep on coming. You can't change jobs in a jiffy. In situations like these, it's equally important to develop and create personal relationships with people along with showing professional expertise. You sure are good at your domain. What you now need is a little people management ability. Try to build a personal rapport with the most influential circle there. Slowly and gradually, it will turn out well.

Cheers,
K

Hi Gayathri,

I am not sure how far I am right, but I feel you are in a situation where you have a chance to prove yourself, your work, your personal skills, etc., and it's a challenge given to you by all your staff. For this, you will have to take it very professionally, positively.

As you are in HR, you should have a proper planning of your aim for what you need. To have a good relationship within your team, you should learn to have friendly communication skills. Good relationships with senior management are equally important.

So, for all this, you should have a very confident speech while you are interacting with any of your colleagues. This will show a big change in whatever you do.

Wish you luck. And please let me know if I am wrong in any way; if so, please correct me.

Thanks, Swetha

Dear Gayathri,

I think you have started your career right now. You will face a lot of problems from all companies, but how will it be possible for you to not face this type of problem? In my opinion, if you want to continue in HR, you have to be very strong and friendly nature with all of them. You have to make them your own, but not always. You have to be professional as well.

Goodbye

Dear Gayathri,

Acceptance problems are common whenever you join a new organization or a new department within the same organization. This issue typically resolves over time as you establish rapport with your colleagues. People often take time to adjust when faced with accepting someone new.

Regarding changing organizations, since you have recently been promoted to Assistant Manager, it would be advisable to remain in your current role for at least one year to secure a similar position in a new organization. I believe you should embrace the challenge as it will provide valuable learning opportunities.

I hope this advice proves helpful to you.

Kind regards

You need to display a no-nonsense, professional, and committed attitude. Your words or sayings should be like carvings on stone; no one should be able to speak a word against you.

Hi Gayathri,

I understand your problem. I would like to know which department you are handling so I can guide you because I have actual work experience in the manufacturing industry with various departments and know the working style of people.

Regards,
Prashant

Hi Gayathri,

Such scenarios do happen. What you require to do is take charge. Finally, whatever they do, you are their boss.

In such scenarios, being professional is more important than being emotional.

The most important thing that requires to be done by you is to firstly call a meeting, in which at all times you need to be very cordial.

Tell them that the change has taken place and they have to work in the present. You can even praise your predecessor and request them to give you the same kind of support.

You have to draw their attention to the fact that the success of the department is dependent on each and every person and we have to work as a team.

Create KRAs and hand over the brief to every team member. This could be done in the second meeting.

Inform them that their appraisal is based on their achievements.

Create accountability in the organization.

Your team will realize that they can't fool around and will start respecting you.

You need to be assertive at all times.

This is a very brief suggestion. In case you can inform me about your exact and specific problem, I could be of assistance to you as I personally have handled such situations and as a consultant have also advised promoters on staff handling.

You can contact me at: [Login to view] for further details.

Regards and All the Best

Hi Gayathri,

As all others have advised you, a little more patience will help you go a long way in your overall career.

Please also understand that your task as an HR professional is to do your job first. Winning a popularity contest will not be in your KRAs. Having said that, you should aim to be respected as a professional first, and be liked afterwards.

Become visible as an HR person - don't be stuck in your cabin for the entire day. With increased visibility, you can generate rapport. There are various ways to do this - from having lunch with folks of other departments, offering someone a lift home.

They will then understand you better, and things will improve. They will change their attitude towards you once they realize that you can and do deliver your work - on time, without excuses.

I disagree with Nev about HR handing over the KRAs to employees. This task should be done by the Managers directly - in person. HR can be present during this meeting as a facilitator of the assessment system. The lines of authority should be clear. If you are going to give the KRAs, then why are you hiring a line manager - what is the value add of that person.

In all your communication with them, I have only one comment to make: "There is a difference between TELL & SELL - (most of the time) strike a balance which favors the SELL." This will help you in the long run.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,

Ryan

Dear Gayatri,
I m not sure that how far I m right…but this is the right situation you can prove your self and take it as challenge then you will get success. Also maintain good relationship with your colleagues and be confident on your work wat you are doing.
I wish you All the best …..
Thank you,
Aparna.
:)

Dear Gayathri,

"...But to be calm and composed before a million universes!"

All depends on the amount of confidence you have in your abilities and particularly on the clarity of your thoughts. Do you believe in yourself enough to possess intelligence? Do you believe you have the capacity to learn? Do you believe you can think clearly? Do you believe you have the ability to communicate? You may not know everything, but do you believe you have the right attitude? If so, please stand your ground steadfastly. If you become too self-conscious, you would be focusing on your assumed weaknesses and start seeing ghosts, which may become chronic. You may not have control over others, but you can certainly regulate your behavior or your responses to the events and people around you. In such cases, being a little thick-headed helps too (but of course, not arrogant). You also need not stoop to please everyone, but at the same time appear caring. You can, if you try, modify others' behavior through your behavior or behavioral responses. But you must be consistent in your behavior persistently, assuming the behavior you display is well-balanced.

You may also need to pick up a few techniques that I am sure many senior friends will contribute to you to get over such situations successfully. Most importantly, you need to trust yourself and the work you put in persistently and at the same time develop a solid/good impression with the top/boss. Simultaneously, try gradually winning over the people one by one. Do not overreact. Be empathetic but firm.

In fact, this gives you a wonderful opportunity to gain newer abilities which, if successful, will make you succeed with people, and this is no ordinary quality. However, we always encounter the male bias towards working women notably. Do not try to do everything all at one time. It will be too difficult and confusing. Just think with a clear head and understand the biases, insecurities, and temperaments of the people. Two major problems are a sense of insecurity and the ego. How do you tackle these? You must watch, see, and devise strategies and tactics. How will you win their confidence and build good communication one-on-one? The workplace and the work can be the aids through which you interact and build relationships. Use them strategically and tactically. There will be innumerable events, circumstances, and situations where they would give you chances to intervene and help them out both at work and/or personal fronts. Be helpful without getting too personally involved, be generous but be a no-nonsense person from the very start while being benevolent. Display firmness only with your superior knowledge of things, but be a mentor/coach exhibiting interest in helping someone develop skills or know about any assignments/work where they feel they need assistance. Search for such circumstances wherein you can professionally help them with their jobs. But don't be "please all" types. I hope you understand.

All these you can certainly do, only if you take it as a positive challenge, and it is definitely worth all the effort you put in, for you will be aglow with new intrinsic confidence. Another important point is, however wrong or unreasonable people may be, that is the perception of you they are exhibiting. However wrong their perception of you might be, but that perception is a reality. It provides you with a challenge to also make modifications suitably. Enjoy the fun sincerely and wish you all the best. Also, read books and articles by successful women; it helps!

Regards,

M.A. Ganju