Comments on: Why I'm Not An Idealist In Politics Or HR http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/ Life between the brackets Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eric Antariksa http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-841 Eric Antariksa Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:53:55 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-841 I think we need both types of people. We need a visionary person like Obama to provide the audacious goals that we want to achieve. On the other hand, we need someone like Biden to execute...to realize our goals, to bring our vision to life. I think we need both types of people. We need a visionary person like Obama to provide the audacious goals that we want to achieve. On the other hand, we need someone like Biden to execute…to realize our goals, to bring our vision to life.

]]> By: Lance Haun http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-837 Lance Haun Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:55:26 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-837 @Jenn - I agree. Bizarre. @Lisa - Saw your post <a href="http://hrmanager.squarespace.com/journal/2008/9/10/my-hr-is-not-sexy.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. What a great compliment. @Dave - Thanks for the exposure to a different audience :) @Dan - I did that on purpose obviously. While there may be this proverbial middle ground, I believe that people ultimately come down on one side or another. That means that a realist can avoid bitterness and be a change agent while a idealist can be cynical and resist change. In the end, you are more willing to err on the side of one or the other and I know what my preference is. @Ian - See, I disagree. I think realists can see possibility for change and know the most realistic routes to go about it. They know how to work the system for change. Idealists ask the wrong people, take the wrong tactics and have pie in the sky expectations about it. @Jenn – I agree. Bizarre.

@Lisa – Saw your post here. What a great compliment.

@Dave – Thanks for the exposure to a different audience :)

@Dan – I did that on purpose obviously. While there may be this proverbial middle ground, I believe that people ultimately come down on one side or another. That means that a realist can avoid bitterness and be a change agent while a idealist can be cynical and resist change. In the end, you are more willing to err on the side of one or the other and I know what my preference is.

@Ian – See, I disagree. I think realists can see possibility for change and know the most realistic routes to go about it. They know how to work the system for change. Idealists ask the wrong people, take the wrong tactics and have pie in the sky expectations about it.

]]> By: Ian Selvarajah | OfficeTricks.com http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-838 Ian Selvarajah | OfficeTricks.com Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:08:18 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-838 Awesome post Lance! Like Dan, I'm a <i>"hope for the best, prepare for the worst"</i> type of person. Although I've seen my fair share of "realism", I guess I'm still forever an optimist when it comes to most things. Ultimately, someone (often the idealist) has to initiate the change rather than the realist who often says: <i>"This is how it's always been done [and that's reality]."</i> Awesome post Lance!

Like Dan, I’m a “hope for the best, prepare for the worst” type of person. Although I’ve seen my fair share of “realism”, I guess I’m still forever an optimist when it comes to most things.

Ultimately, someone (often the idealist) has to initiate the change rather than the realist who often says: “This is how it’s always been done [and that's reality].”

]]> By: Dan Johnson http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-840 Dan Johnson Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:17:32 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-840 My mantra is hope for the best, prepare for the worst. While an incredibly thoughtful and well written post I believe you are creating a false comparison with your catagories. I think that there are plenty of "middle ground" spots between idealist and realist. In business as in politics there are plenty of examples of people using realistic methods to achieve idealistic goals. I don't think you need to be one or the other only. If you go for the realist every time, where are your new ideas going to come from? Who wants to hang out, talk to, work with a bitter/jaded HR pro? There are SOME personalities out there that are excellent at shaking up the system to achieve big goals and not compromising on their values. Not saying anything about the politicians, but I think business wise we need an infusion of idealistic blood every now and again or nothing will ever change. My mantra is hope for the best, prepare for the worst. While an incredibly thoughtful and well written post I believe you are creating a false comparison with your catagories. I think that there are plenty of “middle ground” spots between idealist and realist. In business as in politics there are plenty of examples of people using realistic methods to achieve idealistic goals. I don’t think you need to be one or the other only. If you go for the realist every time, where are your new ideas going to come from? Who wants to hang out, talk to, work with a bitter/jaded HR pro? There are SOME personalities out there that are excellent at shaking up the system to achieve big goals and not compromising on their values. Not saying anything about the politicians, but I think business wise we need an infusion of idealistic blood every now and again or nothing will ever change.

]]> By: Dave http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-839 Dave Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:15:41 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-839 Great post. Sounds like my wife wrote it, a former Director of HR! Had to share your article with my readership, and connect the dots to Software Development: http://jobhacking.typepad.com/job_hacking/2008/09/and-how-does-this-apply-to-hiring-developers.html More exposure to good HR thought - great! Great post. Sounds like my wife wrote it, a former Director of HR!

Had to share your article with my readership, and connect the dots to Software Development:
http://jobhacking.typepad.com/job_hacking/2008/09/and-how-does-this-apply-to-hiring-developers.html

More exposure to good HR thought – great!

]]> By: Lisa http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-836 Lisa Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:35:41 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-836 From one kevlar coated realist to another, great post. From one kevlar coated realist to another, great post.

]]> By: Jenn Barnes / HR Wench http://lancehaun.com/why-im-not-an-idealist-in-politics-or-hr/#comment-835 Jenn Barnes / HR Wench Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:54:07 +0000 http://www.yourhrguy.com/?p=388#comment-835 This is a refreshing and interesting take on the political side of things, Lance. When it comes to the HR side, I'm surprised so many HR Manager candidates are blowing the interview process. Well, actually, I'm not. But I *am* aghast that any candidate would wear their "You're ok, I'm ok, let's all hug" hat to an interview. If I can't be "real" in an interview, I'm doing the company that potentially wants to hire me (or not) a disservice. But mostly? I'm doing a disservice to myself. Keep it real, yo. That's mantra #4 for me. This is a refreshing and interesting take on the political side of things, Lance.

When it comes to the HR side, I’m surprised so many HR Manager candidates are blowing the interview process. Well, actually, I’m not. But I *am* aghast that any candidate would wear their “You’re ok, I’m ok, let’s all hug” hat to an interview.

If I can’t be “real” in an interview, I’m doing the company that potentially wants to hire me (or not) a disservice. But mostly? I’m doing a disservice to myself.

Keep it real, yo. That’s mantra #4 for me.

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