1. Every Day Is a Surprise Party (Without the Cake) Being an HR Generalist is like walking into a surprise party every day, except the “surprises” are usually complaints, compliance crises, or chaotic payroll issues. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected—and to always have a strong cup of coffee on hand. From “emergency” PTO requests to decoding cryptic employee grievances, the ability to stay calm and carry on has become my superpower.
2. The Art of Being a Human Swiss Army Knife As an HR Generalist, you wear many hats—and sometimes, all of them at once. On any given day, I’ve been a recruiter, mediator, benefits counselor, and therapist (even though that last one wasn’t in the job description). The secret? Mastering adaptability. Oh, and keeping a stash of chocolate for those particularly “fun” days.
3. People Are Wonderful—And Wonderfully Complicated Managing people means embracing the quirks that come with them. From employees who treat “open-door policy” as an invitation for daily chats to those who believe dress codes are mere suggestions, I’ve seen it all. These experiences have taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of clearly worded policies. (Seriously, ambiguity is your worst enemy.)
4. Compliance: The HR Horror Movie Nothing keeps an HR Generalist awake at night quite like the phrase, “We’re being audited.” Learning the ins and outs of employment laws has been a journey of trial and error—mostly trial. But these challenges have also given me a deep appreciation for meticulous record-keeping and a love-hate relationship with spreadsheets.
5. Communication Is Key (And Occasionally a Lock) You quickly learn that communication in HR is both an art and a science. Whether it’s delivering difficult feedback or explaining why certain requests are just not possible, the way you say things matters. I’ve mastered the skill of being direct yet kind, with a side of humor when appropriate—it makes the tough conversations just a little easier.
6. The Reward of Making a Difference Amid the chaos, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you’ve positively impacted someone’s career or helped solve a problem that seemed insurmountable. HR is not just about “putting out fires”; it’s about building trust, fostering growth, and creating workplaces where people thrive. And for all the unexpected twists, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
7. Problem Solver by Day, Detective by Night Being an HR Generalist often feels like starring in a mystery series. Whether it’s piecing together clues about workplace conflicts or uncovering why the payroll numbers don’t add up, problem-solving becomes second nature. Sometimes the “case” is resolved with a simple conversation, and other times it requires the patience of Sherlock Holmes—and an Excel spreadsheet.
8. The Fine Line Between Friend and Professional In HR, you’re often a confidant and a sounding board for employees. While building trust is essential, maintaining professional boundaries is equally important. Balancing empathy with objectivity has taught me to navigate tricky situations without losing sight of what’s best for both the individual and the organization. Pro tip: listen more than you speak and never forget your poker face.
9. The Crisis Manager You Didn’t Know You’d Be Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, from last-minute terminations to an office flood that leaves everyone scrambling. HR is the department that somehow absorbs the chaos and keeps things moving. I’ve learned that staying calm under pressure, having a plan (or three), and a sense of humor can turn even the worst crises into manageable moments.
10. Technology: The Love-Hate Relationship HR tech tools can be lifesavers—or sources of endless frustration. Over the years, I’ve embraced everything from clunky legacy systems to AI-driven platforms that promised to “simplify” my workload (spoiler: they didn’t). The key is to adapt, learn, and laugh at the inevitable IT hiccups, all while leveraging technology to improve processes and save time.
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Elga Lejarza
Founder/CEO
Lejarza HR Consulting
