Hippie HR Explained
Anyone that has worked in HR with me knows I practice something called Hippie HR. Hippie HR is basically my personal brand of HR and how I approach what I do. At it’s, it’s about relationships. It’s about connecting with another human. We are not meant to be solitary, singular focused beings. I approach HR with a deep belief that all people have value, even when you can’t immediately see it or understand it. I may disagree with someone, not have the same religious or political beliefs but at the end of the day, one thing remains true. They are a human living their life the best way they can with experiences and a history that I will never fully understand. Hippie HR is about finding something you love in every person that you encounter.
It’s not all hearts and rainbows, I struggle sometimes too! Especially when I come across someone that enables toxicity. That’s when I cherish my approach even more. It’s not about that other person. It’s not about them challenging who and how I am. It’s about me knowing who I am and what I believe in. It’s about me supporting them through their journey, regardless of the toxicity or other issues that I see. After all, the only thing I can control is my own behavior and attitude. So why not push yourself to be better?
As with everything else, Hippie HR does have a downside. I’m a very happy person. I laugh and smile a lot. What could possibly be wrong with that? Well two very common things happen, I’m either seen as dumb or inauthentic. No one can like everyone right? No one can be that happy right? What I’ve come to learn is that while that opinion is pretty common, it quickly dissolves once they are able to work with me and get to know me. My job after all is building relationships built on mutual trust and respect.
How is this sustainable? If you’re considering trying Hippie HR or practicing any version of positive psychology I’d recommend in healing your hurt first. What I mean by that is therapy, friendships, pushing your boundaries and self-conceptions. I had to get to know myself, confront my own insecurities and my need to please others. Through therapy, a few girls nights with maybe a bit too much wine, I’ve learned how to prioritize my mental health. It’s like the safety announcement on airplanes. Put on your own mask before you assist others. I had to learn to breathe on my own, take care of myself first, then I was more capable of helping others. This is a constant. You’re NEVER done working on yourself. And you may slip into old habits every now and then. It’s all part of the journey.
So I leave you with this, next time you’re confronted with someone that gets under your skin, try finding one thing you love about them, even if its small and silly. Bring out the good and work through the bad.
