In this episode, we discuss quite a few topics that have to do with attitudes and behaviours in the workplace.
In the discussion, Paolo speaks about the importance of vulnerability:
“Admitting vulnerability does not mean weakness and it's exactly the other way around. Admitting vulnerability is actually a sign of strength. And so this is also like when things are difficult in an organization, to pretend that everything is going fine, to pretend that everything is good, that's not the way to go. … to admit vulnerability. This for me really is key also as an HR director, or in general as a senior manager, to really like accept your vulnerability.”
“What I always tell my staff: as HR, you come and you check in your ego at the entrance because that really very much helps… it really also helps to have a critical distance to your own work and not really taking things too personal.”
We speak about HR being a safe space and the importance it plays in the individual growth of people.
“For me HR is a safe space and that's what I want to create in HR. It's a place where really HR people can bring their whole self to work. I also play on people's strengths. Like we spend a lot of time on development and making people better in this and that area, which is fine, but where they grow exponentially, more exponentially, is actually on their strength. And so playing on their strength, so this is really something. And for me, the human element in HR is really important.”
In the podcast, we discuss how important it is to engage with those that are skeptical to embrace diversity, in order to make the workplace inclusive.
“When we speak about well-being, we also have to speak about diversity and inclusion, we have to speak about allowing the staff members to bring their whole selves to the workplace.”
And obviously we do not want to miss the opportunity to ask Paolo about his view on a successful application and how to prepare for an interview, and the importance of carpooling when preparing for an interview :-)