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The HR Doctor Is
In
Finding Similarities in Ireland
Dear Readers,
The HR Doctor and his family just returned from a wonderful vacation in
County Kerry, Ireland. Besides seeing incredible scenery, the HR Doctor
spent time with his colleagues in county government.
The people were very friendly and very civil - especially with regard
to the morning tea break, which is built in to the work schedule. They
were eager to find out what was happening in local government public
administration, especially county government, in the United States, and
were just as eager to help a visitor understand the ways and means of
local public service in their part of the world. Here are some conclusions
which the HR Doctor thinks would be helpful and fun to share with you
...
- A vacation anywhere in the world by a county official should include
a visit with counterparts at the destination. It made the trip more
memorable and thoughtful for the whole family. Feeding the curiosity of
others to learn about your part of the world makes for a far better time
than just moving from bus stop to bus stop on a whirlwind tour. Besides,
there is much to learn about professionally.
- While the resources, traditions, languages and current events
differ, it was surprising how similar the issues were. People are proud
of their choice of public service as a career and of the difference they
make in the lives of people in their community. All have a strong
interest in professional growth and the chance to learn from others. All
are concerned with the future of the "next generation" of public
administrators and support internships and mentoring relationships with
students and schools.
- HR is increasingly viewed in the European Union, as in the United
States, as an emerging "strategic partner" of top county management in
its ultimate success in delivering all of its services. The mission
statement of the Kerry County Personnel Department could well have been
written in any county in America. The issues focused on improving
customer services, equality of opportunity for employees, employee
education and sound expenditure of limited resources.
- Kerry County is struggling with issues of "balance" - growth and
economic development while retaining natural resource protection and
enhancement; creating jobs and an educated workforce in an increasingly
competitive environment; relations with the central government, cities
and special districts, and the overall delicate balance between
individual rights and the "common good." Sound familiar? This could be
said of counties in California, Florida and all points in between (not
to mention Hawaii and Alaska).
- The value of inter-county exchanges and visits is very great and
hardly explored at all! It can lead to student, cultural, tourist and
economic ties between the two areas. This is just what we need in an
emerging "global economy." The Irish local governments are very much
aware of this reality.
The HR Doctor had the great pleasure in playing a modest role in
establishment of a formal exchange program with a county in California and
an equivalent "department" in France. The benefits are very positive, very
long lasting and very satisfying personally.
Want to know how to set up a "county friendship agreement"? It's easy.
Select a region - perhaps with employee or citizen input. It can be an
area which may already have cultural or economic ties to your own
community, including areas in Africa, Latin America and Asia. There are
very likely to be persons in the community willing to serve on a planning
committee.
Write to the head of the local government in the region, letting the
person know of your interest and asking for her or his thoughts about the
idea. The HR Doctor is very confident that the rest will follow a natural
and positive course from this easy start-up. Then enjoy the opportunities
which will open and bring the family with you as you meet your
colleagues!
Best wishes, The HR Doctor
(The HR Doctor was written by Phil Rosenberg, director of Human
Resources, Broward County, Fla.)
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