Pay It Forward
In September 2018, we had another wonderful meeting with our favorite bookseller—Cal Hunter, the manager of the business book department of Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Words can never adequately express the gratitude we have for Cal and all he’s done for us, including prominently displaying The Big Book of HR in the window of that flagship store.
When we thanked Cal for all he’d done for us over the years, he responded, “No, it’s you who I should be thanking. If authors didn’t write great books, we wouldn’t have any to sell.” Then he invited us to take pictures because “this is your house!”
In a follow-up e-mail, Cal expressed his thanks and appreciation to us for being “such authoritative and prolific authors” that allow the Fifth Avenue store “to present our customers with insightful content.” Cal understands teamwork and relationships—that “bookstores exist because of the compelling work” authors do. Bookstores need authors to write books, authors need booksellers to market and sell the books, and both the stores and the authors need readers to buy and read them. For our readers, we are immensely grateful. You nourish our writing careers.
An interviewer once asked us to name individuals who influenced our careers and/or professional growth, and why what they did mattered. She also asked about books that might have done the same.
Here’s a reflective challenge to our readers: Who has helped you along your professional journey? What did they do and why did it matter? Did you ever have the opportunity to express gratitude to that person?
There’s an interesting twist when we talk about influence and support. Sometimes we receive advice or guidance or encouragement, but don’t realize it’s impact right away. Often because it might have been a subtle statement or a passing comment. Years can go by until we fully grasp its importance. By then, it may be too late to express gratitude to the individual.
Can we do more than express silent gratitude out to the universe and hope the individual somehow receives it? We think so. Give back and pay it forward.
Younger colleagues are eager to learn and likely could gain from your knowledge, so share it. You’ve had success in your career so help younger colleagues find theirs. Share resources, discoveries and experiences that will influence with careers.
One of the many things we’ve done to give back to our profession is share our knowledge through our books. We’d be grateful if you’d consider gifting a copy of The Big Book of HR, 10th Anniversary Edition to a younger HR colleague. Since HR is a dynamic profession and issues constantly change, this edition includes up-to-date information on many emerging topics. It’s available for preorder at https://tinyurl.com/ejjbkp69, and if you order it soon, you’ll receive it by its official publication date of January 1, 2022 or sooner.