Are All Celebrities The Same?

Well sometimes they look the same...as in the case of Peter Gabriel and John Ratzenberger....


(Weird, huh?)
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I don't know of anyone that I would consider to be a celebrity. But I have encountered them in my travels. And I would place those encounters into two categories.
1) While I was working
2) While I was not working

Let's start with number 2 first. Most of time this happens in NYC where I have seen celebrities shopping in Barney's, walking with a bodyguard in Soho, & carrying groceries in the East Village. Each time there is an air about them, an aura if you will. I recognize them. I try to be cool. They recognize that I recognize them and that I'm trying to stay cool. No conversation occurs. We each go our separate ways. I remember the encounter. They likely remember nothing. This is why they are celebrities and I am not.

Back to number 1, while I was working. This also breaks down into 2 categories. First when I worked at a book store almost every celebrity I encountered was rude. I was a clerk and was treated as if I was barely worth a hello.

But when I worked for a cd wholesaler, almost every celebrity I met was courteous and for the most part pleasant. My fondest memory is when I met David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple fame). This guy was a multi-millionaire. He was adored and seen as a sex symbol. In other words, he needed nothing from any of us in that warehouse. But he was in the area and he just wanted to stop in and say thanks for the work we do. Classy.

I'm not a celebrity in any way. But in HR we operate inside a fishbowl, sort of like a celebrity. Everyone in the office knows who we are. Some people are naturally nervous in our presence. Some people see us as not friendly because we won't "friend" them on Facebook (sort of like not signing an autograph). And I try to remember this everyday. I try to remember not to take my position for granted.

David Coverdale may not be your ideal HR pro. But inspiration for doing your job well can come from the strangest of places.

Who is your strangest source of inspiration for being an HR Pro?


While you're thinking, check out Mr. HR Pro here doing his job.