adminHR Column Hector Moyo
NOTHING, at least in this modern age, should proceed without a plan and an end game/time. Concepts and principles thus become the cornerstones for such initiatives.
I like this kind of approach because it means we can control activities in time and space. Looked at differently, it means that nothing will happen accidentally; things are planned and therefore are predictable.
The title of today’s article conjures an end to something memorable. Adios is a Spanish word which simply means bye bye.
We are the generation that watched “bioscope/cinema” and this word invokes in the mind a movie where a “cow boy” is riding away on horseback, after doing some heroic act, whatever!
Put differently, these words can only be said by people who are parting but who have enjoyed each other’s company, very much. Parting under these circumstances always brings about mixed feelings, feelings of joy and sadness. This state of affairs is, however, normal and is illustrated below by a description of the normal growth curve. The import of the normal growth curve is that certain phases /stages are normal and are bound to happen at some point in time.
Normal growth curve explained
Many processes follow the normal growth curve pattern. The initial stage (the establishment stage) is somewhat slow. This is followed by the stage of acceleration which is characterized by rapid growth. The next stage will be that of plateauing, where the rate of growth is constant (dy over dx is zero). The final stage is that of senescence, which in normal language is ageing. The end game is death.
It is, however, to be noted that mitigations can be put in place to bring about changes in the normal growth curve, whereby each phase can be positively or negatively impacted.
For instance, where there is provision of water and nutrients, the plant will grow faster and the phases described above will be moved to the right of the graph, meaning that the lifespan of the plant will be increased. On the other hand, if the same plant is starved of water and nutrients, there will be no significant growth experienced, meaning that the lifespan of the plant will be shortened.
The above growth curve explanation also applies in a lot of processes in life. It is therefore important to appreciate what each stage entails and how it can be positively/negatively impacted.
The growth curve as it applies to the HR column.
The column has also followed the normal growth curve pattern described above, to date. Currently it is probably at its upper limit of growth – very appealing to the dear readers. I cannot say exactly when it was going to plateau, but plateau it was bound to- this is normal and to be expected as alluded to earlier. It is with this in mind that I have decided to do some mitigatory intervention at this juncture. More about this later!
Significance of the HR column?
What has been the significance of the HR column, a reader is tempted to ask? It is probably fair to say that the column has meant different things for different people, including the columnist himself. A detailed evaluation through a questionnaire would have brought about the full views of my dear readers. However, snap surveys and sms/e-mail comments have shown that both the older and the younger readers have always had something to gain from reading the articles. Additionally, humour was always the unifying force.
What the column has meant for me
It is probably fitting to summarise in this final article what the HR column has meant for me. It has been about reaching out and sharing, discoursing, taking initiative and also making friends professionally, socially and spiritually. It has been a journey with lots of take homes, so to speak. I have learnt to bless/recognise others as I also receive my own blessings – mutuality has been the biggest gift.
The HR column has also shown me the importance of being multi-skilled. The one size fits all type approach does not work- we have to be systems driven.
Discipline becomes crucial and critical in professional life. Coming up with an article every week, for a period of three years, has not been a walk in the park — discipline became the important cornerstone.
Throughout my article writing journey, I had one desire, to put forward a lesson(s) which readers could use socially and or at work, hence the take home concept. It was always my desire not to spoon feed my dear readers but to equip them with principles/concepts.
It was therefore always interesting for me when readers would comment to say, I found the gist of your article either in the middle or towards the end. This was always by design, dear reader!
Many a times we do not quite get to know our gifting in life. It is always nice when we eventually do and begin to use it beneficially. This path always leads to self-actualization I say. I have almost reached that stage with rest to writing.
Shakespeare (in Macbeth), describes life as being “…full of sound …” For the Nqameni “boy,” writing the HR column has been lots of fun and part of leaving a legacy. In real life I am probably rated as being on the quiet side, only speaking when there is something worth putting across, after which I always try and rest my case. The only exception is probably when at a roadblock — it is not always easy to rest your case in such encounters!
Going into the future
Although the HR column still had some mileage left before the curve plateaued as alluded to earlier, I have made a deliberate decision to bring about an intervention aimed at making what I consider to be value-adding mitigation, that of publishing. I have accumulated material for at least three more volumes –all to be unveiled in the coming years. I will also be experimenting with other electronic combinations, to mitigate against the plateauing phase!
Parting words
I have enjoyed the discourse with my dear readers. It was indeed good whilst it lasted. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction thereof. However, as I have indicated elsewhere, we are still going to be very much together, albeit in different platforms. “I will miss you guys”, therefore, does not appear to be appropriate!
It is, however, fitting to wish all my dear readers a merry Xmas and a happy 2014. Let the festive season be the best, ever.
I finally rest my trade mark salutation for a long time to come. However, it now has an unwritten patent and can be revisited anytime in the future.
Send comments and views to sms 0777556081, e-mail address hecandbe@ gmail.com or tweet @batonstick.
Online Reporter