The Other Side of the Coin

Here's a generic post about a generic topic, but one that I've become intimately familiar with over the past 4+ months.  It applies to work, to home, and to most anything.  And the benefits are worth every minute you invest.  Sounds good right?

The advice?  Explore and experience "the other side of the coin".  What I mean by this is:

• If you live in an urban area, occasionally spend some time in a rural area
• If you like the beach, then check out the mountains
• If you are in a management role, shadow someone who is in a line role
• If you are a sales person, hang out with someone who is in operations
• If you are a republican, then genuinely listen to the democratic messages
• If you have a large family, you might want to hang out with someone who doesn't have one
• If you work in corporate America, I would recommend you interface with someone who owns their own business
• And if you are an HR professional who has some role in recruitment then you should occasionally check out what it feels like to be on the other side of the table

I'm certain you all get the picture.  

That last one is the experience and perspective I've most recently gained over the past months.  I must admit that I had almost completely forgotten what it was like to be on "the other side of the coin".  Or in this case, the other side of the table.  Being an applicant or candidate for a position is hard.  It's emotional, and often with no feedback.  Most companies today don't reach out to you and say you're no longer being considered, and they certainly don't tell you why.  Doing these two simple things can pay big dividends for an employer and could differentiate you amongst other hiring companies.  But it takes effort and time, and most HR people (myself included) just weren't willing to commit that time.  I know one thing - I'll be better at this when I do get re-employed.  

But the advice here goes well beyond business to my personal life as well.  During my 4+ month bout with unemployment I've been on the other side of the coin a lot personally as well.  Worrying about the things Holly (my wife) took care of and things I just didn't pay much attention (or appreciation) to.  Bills, groceries, kid's school and after school activities, laundry, meals.  Again, it was my mistake to take these for granted and being on the other side of the coin has helped me renew my appreciation for the things Holly does to keep the home fire burning.  

But I think it's easy to fall into the trap I did.  Going about your business, your life, without a real recognition of what others might be experiencing around you.  If you do spend time on the other side of the coin it will re-energize your existing relationships and help you forge new ones.

So when you start to get comfortable with your life, business or pleasure, just stretch and see what it's like "on the other side of the coin".  I'm certain you'll learn and be better for it!