Outside of My Comfort Zone

Career

Feb 27

Towards the end of last year, I was presented with the opportunity to serve as the primary HR partner for one of my company’s divisions as a result of my manager going out on maternity leave. When I said yes to this opportunity, I was unaware of what I was fully getting myself into. However, as I reflect on the past three months of being in this interim role (with one left to go), I am so glad that I did! But before I tell you why, let me start by sharing some of the challenges I initially faced and even still experience some days.

For starters and to provide you with a little more context, I was asked to perform work at the HR manager/executive level, which is one to two levels above my current role as HR consultant. In my new interim role, I support an organization made up of 550+ employees and provide day-to-day HR support as well as counsel to senior business executives around HR policies, compensation decisions, employee relations matters, performance and talent management, talent acquisition…literally all things HR. Practically speaking and on paper, it didn’t make sense for me to be given this opportunity.

Here I am, the most junior person on my team with less than two years of formal HR experience. Not to mention the mental hurdles I’ve had to process through and overcome around being a young black female supporting executives who have been working for about as long as I’ve been alive and being the youngest or only black person in various settings. Y’all, imposter syndrome is real! But I’m learning to embrace the qualities that make me unique, understanding that they allow me to bring a different and fresh perspective to the table. I also had to take a step back and remind myself that I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity if I wasn’t capable of doing it and doing it well.

As I mentioned previously, I’ve been in this role for three months now. However, the first few weeks were daunting and overwhelming. I was now on point to provide counsel and solutions for my clients on all HR matters. While my manager had a few conversations to help prepare me for the transition before she went on leave, there was no possible way for me to be fully prepared for everything because every single day as an HR generalist looks different. So as you can imagine, there were a number of situations that I didn’t know how to respond to or approach initially because I was seeing them for the very first time in my career. These situations caused me to experience feelings of anxiety, especially when requests were time sensitive. I also experienced self-doubt and frustration because of my limited knowledge and experience. However, I realized through an early conversation with my mom that many of the feelings I was experiencing were simply “growing pains” as a result of being stretched and challenged.

This revelation helped me to shift my perspective and to start viewing each new or unfamiliar experience as an opportunity to learn more about a particular HR policy, system, process, or strategy. I also had to come to the realization that no one was expecting me to know everything and that it was ok for me to: 1) tell my clients that I would circle back with them after researching a topic further and 2) lean on my amazing teammates and other HR partners when I needed help. After coming to this realization, I became more gracious towards myself and grew more comfortable leaning into the discomfort.

While things were particularly challenging at first, I’ve grown to appreciate this uncomfortable season; because it’s been critical to my professional growth and development, especially at this stage in my career. I literally have learned and grown so much in such a short period of time. My general HR knowledge has grown significantly over the past three months. My business acumen has developed as a result of directly supporting one my company’s lines of business and attending meetings with my clients. I’ve also sharpened and developed several skills such as consulting and advising, decision making, balancing multiple responsibilities, presenting, connecting the dots, problem solving, etc. Another positive from this experience, given that I’m currently in an HR rotational program, is that I’ve discovered an area within HR that I enjoy and challenges me in a good way.

“As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” – Robin S. Sharma

Whew! Even as I write this, tears flow from my eyes because I just realized the significance of this experience and the impact it has had on me personally, including the way I view myself. Beyond my professional growth and development, this experience has shown me that I am capable of doing big things, particularly things that require courage. It has affirmed that I belong, my voice and perspective matters, and that I am enough. I also feel more confident and empowered as a result of operating outside of my comfort zone. I am so grateful to my management team for giving me this opportunity. Sometimes it takes others seeing something in you and taking a chance on you to help you discover and reach your fullest potential.

“By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming.” – Anonymous

If you’re currently in an uncomfortable or challenging season of your life, I hope that this encourages you to know that you are not alone and that growth is on the other side of this season. In the meantime, be kind and gentle to yourself, squash self-limiting beliefs, and lean on your support system. Also, don’t forget to pray and seek God for help. Nothing is too big or small for God. He cares about everything that concerns you and wants to support you. I’ve personally developed a greater sense of dependence on God and have learned to trust Him daily for the grace and strength that I need to effectively operate at the level that is now required of me.

And for those of you who may be thinking of stepping out of your comfort zone but have some doubt, take the leap! Launch the new business. Apply for the new position. Raise your hand to lead the next project, take on a stretch assignment, or present at an upcoming meeting. Whatever your particular situation may be, don’t shrink back. Run towards and embrace the opportunity…challenges and all. Although it will be uncomfortable at times, it will be so worth it and you will discover what you’re truly capable of.