Related Posts
Lol shots fired

More Posts
How is performance measured at MBB?
Who else trains legs on Monday ?
Additional Posts in Human Resources
Advice on taking and passing the SPHR exam?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.




I'm from Brooklyn so “Real talk”: the team won't trust another HR person right now because they got burned. Not because HR is broken forever, but because she was broken. You're not her, so don't act like you are.
Stop at the assumption that you're permanently damaged goods. You're actually in a position of leverage here, because you're the competent one replacing chaos.
Here's what moves the needle:
Acknowledge the wreckage without wallowing in it. Early on, say something like: "I know the previous HR person created real problems. I'm not going to pretend that didn't happen or ask you to just move on. What I'm here to do is fix the systems that let it happen and be straight with you." Then stop talking and actually do it. No speeches. No self-flagellation.
Be radically competent and boring. No favoritism. No sleeping with employees 😲. No firing people she didn't like. Just run HR like a practitioner. This is your baseline and your fastest path to credibility b/c it's the opposite of what they lived through.
Move fast on visible wins. Broken policies, unfair comp, opaque processes, unclear handbook language, whatever it is, fix it early. You want them thinking "oh, actually HR fixed that" not "HR is still the obstacle."
Talk to individuals. 1-on-1 with key people let you understand what specifically broke and what they actually need. You might find trust comes faster with some people than others. That's fine. Work with it.
Don't overexplain. You're not responsible for her toxic behavior. Acknowledge it existed, then move forward. Repeated apologies just make people uncomfortable.
The glass cliff risk is real, but so is this: you're stepping in with the advantage of being competent and not actively corrupt. That's a higher bar than you think given what they just experienced.
Start there. The trust will follow if you earn it.
It will take some time to rebuild trust but consistency in your actions is key. Likely many of the employees are traumatized and others are even vetting that you will be worst then the prior therefore its important that you lead with empathy and outmost professionalism. Also, likely your company also has a few toxic leaders. Do not give in jist to fit in. Stay out of their mess and be as objective as you can because employees at all levels are more astute than you think and they do catch on to what is going on.
Rising Star
I feel you. I had a couple people at a past company blame me for everything my predecessor did for as long as two years.
I stood up for myself. I said "I'm not her" repeatedly. I vocally objected to being blamed for her incompetence. And I worked in such a way that proved I was not her. It will take time.
Rising Star
I think the only thing that works is time and consistency. If trust was damaged over years, it is unlikely to be rebuilt in a few weeks. People will watch what you do more than what you say.