Oli, 44 years old, is HR, Communications and ESG director and Deputy Managing Direct at Arriva Rail in London. He brings his experience from policing to mental health, agriculture and transport, and now has a role which goes beyond HR. He is married with two sons, and loves routines. He balances his senior leadership responsibilities with family life and daily exercise, as well as feeding the cat in the morning before anyone else wakes up.
This edition of A Day in the Life of an Human Resources Professional features Oli sharing what keeps him grounded. He also explains why HR should speak out more, and how a ride on the M25 train helps him mentally prepare for the day.
I wake up by 6am, at least, because I am a stickler to routine. I feed my cat, who is always there telling me that I’m running late. After I make coffee and take my vitamins, I get to work on what I need to do for the day. I iron clothes, prepare lunch, and make breakfast. The quiet mornings are nice, as I can avoid waking up my boys too early.
I commute by train to work. I walk to the train station and listen to podcasts on my way. Two of our colleagues host a podcast for employees called Sound of the Overground. The podcast invites guests from all over the company to discuss everything from train performance and career progression. If there is a new episode, I will listen to it.
After I get on the train I meditate for 10 minutes, and then I read or watch something. On my commute, I make sure to drink lots of water.
As the train crosses the M25, I switch on. It has become a good trigger for me to signal that it is time to get ready for my day.
As my teams are scattered throughout the office, I walk around the floor and say hello to them as soon as I arrive. Even if the interaction is brief, I believe it’s important to say hello. Our directorate has a strong bond, and it shows in our social catch-ups. They usually involve an activity such as virtual darts which can bring out or not my competitive side.
Meetings are the norm for my mornings at work. Since I am at my best in the morning, I prioritize all tasks requiring critical thinking or being present. My diary is dominated by one-to-ones with my team members and meetings of the executive team. All else revolves around them.
The nature of work is about to undergo a complete revolution — a new industrial revolution. HR must be at the forefront of this change and not just a participant.
What’s a lunch break? What is a lunch break? I will have my Huel nearby and drink it. In all seriousness though, I am a picky eater and prefer to eat something I know will give me the nutrition I require. I like to take the time to walk around the office, and catch up on team members that I might have missed the previous morning. You can check in on how people are doing outside of work: their holidays, their move to a new house and more.
The nature of work is about to undergo a complete revolution — a new industrial revolution. HR must be at the forefront of this change and not merely a participant. In the next two or three years, the role of HR will change dramatically as well as the tasks we perform.
HR should be more tech-savvy, and they should take the initiative to introduce new technologies in the organization, instead of leaving this up to IT. We must figure out how people can use the technology effectively and not just get the tech to our people.
Take every chance to expand your experience. You are not doing enough if you don’t feel uncomfortable. Anyone who is willing to learn and explore new terrain will be a valuable asset to any team.
In the afternoons, I spend more time in meetings than reading or emailing. When possible, I schedule time to use the network during the afternoon.
It’s crucial to know how your mind and body work and build a routine around that. It’s important to know where your energy comes from. Being quite introverted myself, I find that a quiet afternoon or a short walk alone can recharge my batteries.
I find it annoying when HR members are silent during conversations about topics other than HR. It’s frustrating. We are uniquely positioned to influence business, because we know how it works. Without people, business would fail. Speak up and express your opinion. Share your thoughts, challenge what people are doing and help make things better. HR professionals need to be vocal and proactive, influencing all aspects of business in order to bring about positive change.
People might be surprised by the sheer number of things I do outside HR. I’ve been that way since childhood. Many people don’t realize how much an HR director is involved in. Most of my job is not about HR anymore. I consider myself a business manager who has a background in HR. I have managed construction and facilities management teams, and now I run the business while my boss is away.
HR has a unique position to influence business, as we know how it all works, and the business would fail without the people.
I like to wind down on the train home at the end the day. After clearing my inbox, I listen to music or meditate. The day is like a full circle. It mirrors the beginning of my commute.
As soon as I leave the train I walk to my house, which allows me to be “dad” at the front door.
All of us try to stick to a strict schedule but we do whatever is necessary to complete the task. My dad taught me to work hard, and I’ve tried to pass that on to my children. Keep working hard.
When I’m not working, I’m not working. My team respects me for this, because it shows I respect their boundaries and time. It’s important to show your team the behaviors you expect them to exhibit.
I usually exercise in the evening. I aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. This could be hitting golf balls, yoga, or strength training. My family is pretty good at keeping me grounded. I can relax and switch off from work by spending time with my family. Exercise is the best way to recharge outside of family time.
I usually go to sleep at 10pm — I brush my teeth and get into bed, then I’m out of bed in about five minutes. Once my head hits the pillow I’m out. I’ve been so lucky all my life.
