For a Thriving HR Career Try These Expert Self-Care Practices

Are imposter syndrome, self-doubt, insecurity or other limiting beliefs holding you back from taking action in your HR career?

“All of us are doing this in one form or another. … Fear of conflict, of failure, judgment, rejection, other people’s disapproval, fear of not being good enough. And so because of that, we silence ourselves instead of advocating for ourselves … instead of speaking up and expressing what we need,” Unmuted founder and CEO Rachel Druckenmiller said in a presentation during the BambooHR Virtual Summit.

“In HR, there’s this sense that ‘I am responsible for all these people … so if I’m not OK, that needs to just go on a shelf somewhere because I need to make sure everybody else is OK.'”

If you’ve thought about advancing in your HR career to a chief people officer or CHRO role, an HR consultancy business, or even a CEO position, maybe it’s time to make a courageous move.

To give you the confidence to get there, she recommended some strategies for HR career self-care.

HR Career Tip 1: Let Yourself Be Seen

“When we find out what we do really well, that’s something that helps to elevate and build our own confidence,” Druckenmiller said.

She suggested sending individual emails to six to eight people whom you know well and have seen you in action in your HR career. It can say something like: “I’m doing some work around my personal and professional growth and you are someone that I trust, respect and admire. Could you tell me about a time when you’ve seen me at my best?”

Then go to your leaders and ask them, “What is it about the work that we do in HR that is valuable to you, to our employees and to this organization?” Follow that up with “What’s one thing I could be doing differently … that would really make a difference for you?”

“What they might tell you is something that you’re not aware of,” she said. “As a result of finding out what they value, then you can lean into that more.”

It’s also good for your HR career health to keep a contribution resume of your qualitative and quantitative big wins. For example, did you increase employee retention rates or engagement metrics? Or did you implement a new HRMS system? Also, keep a “kudos” folder for emails that praise you for your work.

The impact data in your contribution resume can be leveraged when it’s time for a conversation about a promotion or a raise.

HR Career Tip 2: Be Your Own Advocate

Druckenmiller said, “We’re really good as HR leaders in advocating for others [and] not always the best at advocating for ourselves. But you are also one of your employees, so you deserve that same kind of attention and that same kind of support as your employees do.”

To take charge of your HR career, you need to find the answers to these questions (it may take time to find them):

• Where do I want to go? How do you want to be spending your time and what kind of role do you want to be in?
• How do I want to grow? What training, education, experience, coaching, mentorship or certifications do you need to pursue?
• Who do I need to know? Who is already doing what you want to be doing and who can you learn from or connect with to advance more quickly?