‘HR Conferences’ Articles at Everyday People

Live Again !!

As I went slowly down the escalator, my heart began to race. A table came into view with rows of attendee badges perfectly lined up in alphabetical order. There was a section for attendees, vendors and speakers. I quietly walked by as my face was plastered with the largest smile I could muster even though the volunteers couldn’t see it behind my mask. I didn’t care because I was filled with joy !!

I probably didn’t look like I belonged in the conference center because I was in a t-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap. I kept walking around and waved when I made eye contact with folks. I peeked in the vendor hall and then made my way to the ballroom. I opened the doors and stepped inside. I saw rows and rows of round tables with empty chairs placed around them. I looked to the front of the room and saw the stage that was well lit with spotlights. A podium was in the middle and a colorful banner was in the background announcing the conference theme. It was heavenly !!

I took a few pictures of the room, posted them on Twitter anticipating the event’s beginning the next day. It gave me a chance to share my excitement. You see, I was the opening keynote speaker the next morning. I did what I normally do when I go to conferences by walking through the spaces and getting a feel for what everything looks like. I like to have a mental picture of the environment and get a feel of the event’s vibe. I did my best to blend in because I didn’t want to interfere with the good work happening all around me.

The next morning I got ready quickly, went to the coffee shop, and hustled to the conference ballroom. I set up my table showing my office menagerie and donned my microphone. The attendees started to roll in and take their seats at the various table. I kept getting more and more excited as the tables kept filling up. The conference had an excellent emcee who I had interacted with for a few minutes prior to everything started. He did a great intro and then I heard it.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a music freak and a giant U2 fan !! Overhead I heard one of their many great songs, Beautiful Day, start to play as I took the stage. It was perfect. I pulled up my first slide and started with a story.

The hour I was to speak flew by as if it was a mere few minutes. The crowd was great, engaged and we laughed a ton !! Afterward, the best part of the entire day happened. I got to talk to people in person. There was a mix of greetings ranging from fistbumps to nods to full-on hugs. It was magnificent !! I am always humbled to get the chance to present and talk to my peers and encourage them in the good work they do. I didn’t realize how much I missed this form of human contact.

I was able to stay for the full first day of the conference. Throughout the day I caught up with old friends and met a ton of new folks !! I walked across the street to grab dinner at a restaurant that was filled with fellow attendees. I was invited to join a table and the night ended as fully as it had begun.

I am geeked that people are moving toward in-person events. I understand that there is still a great need to be cautious, safe and respectful of where things stand. However, we also need to move forward even in small ways. People want to see each other. THAT is the best reason to reconvene and have HR conferences.

I would be completely fulfilled to see more and more folks in the years to come. I know that each time will be a beautiful day !!

It’s Not What We Do . . .

Last week I attended the Ohio SHRM State Conference which has been a staple of my professional development for several years. I enjoy it because I get to hang out with some of the most engaged HR professionals that I know from all over the State. I’ve seen some friends who come year after year, but I also was able to meet a ton of new HR pros which were attending the conference for the first time.

The location of the event always lends to the feel of the Conference and Kalahari Resorts located in the rural outskirts of Sandusky, Ohio is just perfect !! The African motif, the spacious halls, the INCREDIBLE staff and the subtle touches of art, décor and music keep the theme together. You completely forget your office and melt into the resort. It clears your head and allows you to take in the sessions, the vendor hall and the chances to network.

I learned something new, or received a fresh reminder, from every session !! The programming was spectacular from the opening session to the early birds to the closing keynote. I noticed something that occurred throughout the entire conference, and especially after sessions. I listened to attendees and the question that was asked almost instantly was whether they “liked” the speaker or not. It was true for every speaker.

I understand this question because I’ve asked it myself often. What doesn’t make sense to me though is that we rely more on judgment and opinion instead of content. If a speaker is liked, then he or she smart and had something to offer. If a speaker isn’t liked, then whatever they shared wasn’t good. The more I look at it, we could miss many resources just because of delivery.

What if we tried to look at things from a different filter? Instead of asking whether we like or dislike a presentation, we ask – what did you notice?

I’ve been trying to do this over the past few years and I’ve come up with something I’ve noticed as a professional in HR.

We’re more focused on what we do . . . . and not enough on who we are !!

This feeling was confirmed when I heard this theme showing up over and over throughout this year’s Ohio SHRM Conference. It’s time for HR to come to terms with “who we are” because it affects “what we do” and not the other way around. I was geeked to hear so many speakers talk about the positive impact of HR in organizations, in individual roles and especially in the lives and performance of employees. There was VERY little talk that tore down HR, and this was honestly refreshing. It seems the tide is turning, and the next step is coming to terms with our identity.

The shift in focus that you can use in looking at conference presentations needs to occur in your role and throughout your company. Whether we are liked or disliked isn’t important. I know that it matters personally because no one wants to be disliked. However, we need to get people to notice who we are first. This can happen only one way. We need to be authentic and genuine. I can’t define how that looks for you, but I know that’s what people seek.

Too often we see people who put up a façade in order to be liked. It’s not what’s needed. The mold has to be broken and it’s personally up to you to make that happen. You can’t preach it to others and not model it yourself.

This week strip away the function of what you do and start being who you are first and foremost. It would really make a difference to everyone !! Try it and see !!

Lava Lamps in India !! #SHRM14

I am slowly, and I mean slowly, coming down from my high state of euphoria I experienced at #SHRM14 !! I really don’t want it to end, but it will have to suffice as my HR peer fix until the next great event.

The entire event was a whirlwind of interactions at a level I hoped would occur. To get jumped in the hallway outside the Exhibition Hall by Simone Carroll saying “Hello Steve !!” in a beautiful Australian accent followed by a hug to exchanging music, ideas and insights with the SHRM HRblog Squad, my time at the Conference was never dull.

I enjoyed the Keynotes for various reasons. I don’t expect them to “hit” or change HR because they are brought to the Conference to give it some “star” power. My fave was David Novak, CEO of Yum! Brands because he was Geeked about people in his business and I truly connected with his approach to HR – especially in the restaurant business.

I loved the concurrent sessions I saw with Jennifer McClure, Jason Lauritsen and Clint Swindall. Each of them had takeaways on how to do things like build the business case for HR and leadership (Jennifer), Become a Social Architect in HR (Jason) and how to become a Weekday Warrior (Clint). Yes, I went to sessions to try to improve humans around me. I just can’t get enough of it to be honest !!

The Exhibit Hall rocked !! I loved the SHRM Store and the Volunteer Leaders lounge was a great place to rest and catch a snack with friends who give their time and efforts to SHRM at the Chapter and State Council level.

The event that sent me truly over the top was the opportunity to speak myself. It was a rush to be opening the activities on Monday at 7:00am to a full room. I am thankful that friends came to show support because I love seeing them all the time. I was even more excited to see a room of unfamiliar faces (at least when we started). I met HR peers from Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Nigeria, Turkey, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Canada and India all in my session. Having a chance to share HR from a different perspective and also reach folks from across the globe . . . . amazing !!

I think the attendees at my session weren’t quite ready to be jacked up that early in the morning. To be able to show HR people that you can have fun, mess with your employees and truly impact the business you work for seemed new to most there. I thought everyone was a bit tentative to start, but by the end of the session people were laughing, smiling and learned what it’s like to be Geeked about HR !!

I challenged the attendees to do something completely radical and say, “Hi !!” to all of the attendees at SHRM14 who weren’t in my session for the rest of the week. I told them I would check on them throughout the week to see how it was going. Amazingly, they told me that others were wondering why they were greeting them. I asked if that discouraged them, and they began to glow with excitement !! They eagerly told me, “No, I keep saying ‘Hi !!’ to more folks now. This is awesome !!”

You see, I think a lot of HR needs to be simplified. People want to engage and be connected – but the difference is that WE have to be the ones to do it instead of expecting folks to just “get it.” One thing to start this is making your office fun. At my session, I closed everything out by telling folks I was adding them to the HR Net (a free resource open to all HR folks) to keep them connected, and I gave away a lava lamp.

When I pulled the name, I stumbled. It was a longer name and I didn’t want to mispronounce it. I got the name out and a wonderful, young lady quietly stood and said, “Yes, that is me. I won.” Meet Jaya from India !!

How cool is it that the 1st time I get to speak at SHRM National, I can plant a cool, hippie HR vibe in another country ??

You see HR – It’s time for us to shine our light within our organizations, our profession and with each other. Well, I’m geeked again just by writing this !! I hope the Conference was fab for everyone who went – and I hope to see YOU at another great HR event sooner than later !!

What’s Your Approach ??

At times Human Resources feels like it moves at an amazingly fast pace !! There may be some peaks and valleys, but each day is more likely a blur. I know many folks who have to double-check their Outlook calendars just to remind them what day it is.

With things moving so quickly all the time, there is the possibility that the field we should love becomes the job that is more drudgery than joy. If you don’t think this is true, go to an HR Conference and listen to the conversations in the crowds. Most of them are not positive and are laced with unending frustration.

There’s a way out of this constant drain of negativity. It does, however, take a huge intentional effort which many aren’t willing to do. It’s not “hard” but it is different from the norm.

It’s all about your approach . . .

Your approach to your life. Your approach to HR. Your approach towards your employees. And, your approach towards others around you.

Let me share an example that just happened. We are entering the SHRM Conference season. There are phenomenal regional and State events that you should check out and attend. I just attended and spoke at the 48th Annual Northern Ohio HR Conference (NOHRC) in Cleveland. It’s a great event full of great programs, business partners and, most importantly, HR pros.

Often when folks go to Conferences, they are much more focused and concerned with which sessions have Strategic Credit, where are the best seats, who should they go see and what is going to happen . . . every . . . single . . . minute. They willingly walk past every other attendee to get to their session without even greeting each other. The session is FAR MORE important than the other attendees.

Having experienced this more often than I like, I opened my session by asking all of the people who came to take 30 seconds and meet the people around them. The energy level in the room jumped !! People started smiling and they shook off the full day of sessions and activities. Their minds were clear, they were ready for something different and we launched.

I shared with everybody my observation that we struggle with HR because of how we approach it. Just like the conference setting, we are so much more concerned and focused on systems, policies and procedures than we are the people who work with us. People who come to work and want to do great work, be recognized for it by person-to-person feedback and also want to see their company succeed !!

The other example I shared at my session was that when I attend an HR conference, I spend my time almost primarily seeking out friends, meeting new people and getting connected to them. I also attend sessions, but usually to meet others. When people go to conferences with me they better get used to delays because I will get, and give, countless hugs, handshakes and hellos.

You see, PEOPLE are my approach !!

This isn’t an admonishment, it’s an opportunity. People make us who we are as a profession and it’s the most fulfilling approach I know. So, this week, drop one system. Ignore one policy. Skip one procedure.

But . . . approach EVERY person with a new view !! I guarantee you’ll love it !!

Image courtesy of Dragyn Studios

Take it All In !!

I’m glad to say that I’ve survived another phenomenal Ohio State SHRM HR Conference !! It was spectacular from stuffing the conference bags and setting up the vendor booths all the way to the final session. It truly is an exhausting week for many of us (by choice).

It’s fascinating to watch the interactions that happen at an HR conference. I think this is mainly because HR folks love to be around others from their profession. There’s camaraderie, laughter and a truly evident bonding that is needed at least once a year. You have to know it’s fantastic to be around people who are working in very similar circumstances ranging from compliance to employee relations.

Another very interesting facet that I keep coming across is how involved people choose to be throughout the conference. I get the fact that ALL of us are taking time away from our families, our workplaces and the projects that will be jumping to life come Monday morning once again. Since this time is more focused around HR intentionally, it would make sense to me that you would fill every moment with everything you possibly could at the Conference. Ironically, this doesn’t happen. This isn’t to be critical – it’s an observation.

I think what is telling about this though is the issue of capacity. People take in as much as they can handle in all areas of work, life and activities. The question you have to ask yourself is – what is my capacity? What if I could take in one more thing that may give me THE answer I need to do my role better? What if I met one more person who could be THE one who connects me to resources, a career opportunity or other great HR pros who could make HR come alive?

At the Conference we asked everyone to sign a birthday card for SHRM because it’s their 65th birthday this year. It was a simple thing to ask for a very small commitment. When people saw that their contribution was within reach, easy to accomplish and they had someone there to encourage them to do it – there was instant participation. Once there was one signature, the next one seemed natural. By the time one side of the card was filled, the next side began to take shape. People wrote in all directions, sizes and locations. No one argued and everyone joined in. We even bled over to the back of the card because more and more people wanted to be included.

It was a card. A piece of cardboard that still had room to take on more people. It hadn’t reached it’s capacity – and most of us haven’t either.

So, the next time you’re at an event – take in everything. I mean it. EVERYTHING !! Don’t miss out on one moment. It is so fulfilling and you’ll take all that you’ve experienced and learned back to work and be an even greater HR person !!

Connecting !!

This week is truly a week I eagerly anticipate every year !! That is because I know when September rolls around, so does the annual Ohio State HR Conference !! I get excited because it’s a chance to break away from the day-to-day and be with my peers. I know this sounds HR Nerdish but I’m unapologetic about it.

The Conference has an intimate feel to it even though we’re approaching 900 attendees and 90+ vendors. The theme this year is “HR – Making Connections that Count” and I really dig the feel of this. The question is, will people step out and make connections?

One of the real challenges of HR is that we try to gut it out or go it alone. I don’t know when this trend where isolation is seen as a strength ever started, but it needs to end !! Ironically, there will be attendees who come to this great event (and others like it) and will do little to no connecting whatsoever. No connections with resource partners, no connections with peers and no connections with people who could make HR truly come alive for them !! Why is that?

I don’t think it’s a matter of introversion or extraversion. I think it’s a case of risk aversion !! I’m amazed how the folks who are in the field of HUMANS are so hesitant to meet others. Is it because we’re different and won’t have anything in common? Is it because someone will meet you and immediately ask you some insanely hard HR question, and if you don’t know the right answer, they’ll kick you out of HR ??

Then what is it? What continually keeps folks apart and not connecting?

I have a theory . . .

You see, I collect buttons. I have loads of them and they don’t follow any particular pattern or grouping. They range from Monty Python, to types of beer, to rock bands to hippie related ones, to classic cartoons, to HR ones, etc. Here’s a quick pic of just a few of my collection. I’m trying to organize them to show them off and enjoy them !!

So, what’s my theory? Just like the buttons we are a mix of a million different interests, emotions, ideas, insights, viewpoints and approaches. However, we either think others won’t find us interesting enough, or we think we won’t find people who share our interests. And that my friends is sad !!

I LOVE that we’re different !! How dreadfully boring would it be if we were all the same ?? Seriously.

So, I have a challenge for you this week. I plan to connect with every (EVERY) single attendee and vendor at the Conference. Not just meet them – connect with them. I want to learn about who they are and see how we can be resources to each other.

Your challenge is to meet one (1) new person this week and connect with them. I think that keeps things pretty balanced. If you’re one of the 900 attending #OHSHRM13, I’m geeked to see you, meet you and connect with you. Maybe . . . you’ll even be wearing a button !!

5 New Ideas !!

SHRM13 has wrapped up and it was honestly the best National SHRM Conference I’ve attended. The vibe was cool and people seemed to be at ease and engaged at the same time. Just prior to the Conference kicking off, my good friend, Mark Stelzner, put a challenge out on Facebook to see if anyone could come away from the event with 5 new ideas.

I loved the challenge and responded immediately. Now, let’s get the “there are no new ideas” cynicism out of the way. This may be inherently true, but you have to remember that the HR universe is a gigantic bell curve !! The conference had folks from those new to the field to CHRO’s. The idea of “new” is really dependent upon the individual and not whether you think it’s new or not.

Too often we read blogs and think everyone’s heard that before !! I think you need to rethink that because as much as we’d like to think we carry a broad swath of our profession, we are reaching a truly engaged minority. That is very cool, but we aren’t going as deep as we can. This was reflected in the myriad of people who flocked to the transactional HR sessions because I’m sure it was important to their role. I went to others that reflected mine. That’s not being critical – that’s being practical.

Now to the five new ideas !! (at least to me)

#1 – HR needs to be integrated throughout business not just “know” the business.

There were a billion sessions who broke Matt Stollak’s rule of saying “seat at the table,” but they weren’t encouraging it, they were noting that this wasn’t enough (and in actually never has been). The C-Suite expects HR to be woven throughout the organization – not just show up at Executive meetings.

#2 – Giving shouldn’t just be done by writing a check.

Listening to Blake Mycoskie was so refreshing !! To see someone from Gen Y who is truly reflective of a success story of his generation was cool. During his presentation he showed how a company can be profitable and giving simultaneously. Also, the expectation that his employees are all in on the efforts of Toms gives folks a great model of living a culture vs. trying to program it.

#3 – No one is as dumb as all of us.

Other than being incredibly inspirational, listening to Mark Kelly speak was very grounding. He noted that this saying was on the wall at NASA after the Challenger tragedy. It warns us that group-think is more dangerous than an individual idea. Too often HR jumps into a group decision in order to tag along in organizations. Be wary of this and truly review all ideas that come down the pike.

#4 – We’re all in sales.

Daniel Pink was phenomenal !! His ideas that “we’re all in sales” isn’t particularly new. But he noted that few truly practice this approach. For HR to be integrated (see #1), you need to sell what you’re company does. In fact, Jennifer McClure noted in her session that she wanted to see Businesspeople who practice HR vs. HR people who happen to know the business.

#5 – Surround yourself with leaders.

Jen McClure provided a completely different ending to her phenomenal session when she encouraged people to surround themselves and get connected to people who are leaders in HR. This wasn’t just the same old – follow people who are well known. It was a stronger approach to get truly connected to HR practitioners who show they are leading in the field. The folks she listed are givers. They make sure to give first to all those that connect with them.

#6 – HR people want to connect with others, but they don’t know how.

(Bonus Idea) 15,000+ folks wandered through the halls of McCormick Place for SHRM13, and I tried my best to encounter and meet as many as I could. There was a sense that people wanted to meet others, but they didn’t seem willing to step out and make that happen. At each session I attended, I introduced myself to all those around me and asked their state, city, role, etc. and then listened to their story. I also did this on the elevator, escalator, hallways, HRCI Hideaway, Blogger’s Lounge and SHRM Volunteers Leaders lounge. This isn’t to brag. It’s to give you an idea of the vastness of the number of HR folks who aren’t being reached. True, they’re attending and getting their credits, but their sphere of connectivity was limited in general. There are many, like me, who were trying to meet folks and change this paradigm, but it’s still an uphill opportunity that is exhilarating !!

Whew !! This post is almost as long as the Conference. I didn’t even talk about the great SHRM Kickball game, the incredible vendor hall and the unforgettable SHRM Tweetup !! Another day.

In the end, the whole thing rocked !! I came home even more geeked than when I went. Seeing old friends, making new ones and being a part of the future of HR is energizing. Stay tuned !!!

An Opportunity you Can Kick In !!

One week from now I get the chance to attend the SHRM National Conference in Chicago !! It’s an incredible event for professional development, networking and connecting with HR pros from around the globe !!

It’s also an opportunity to make a difference. I dig being active and visible in Social Media. I have to be very honest and clear about that because too often HR people who aren’t active think that what we do is out of reach or not feasible for them. What difference does it make to just be out “in the space” ??

What people lose sight of is that the folks who are active in Social Media aren’t just talking (or typing) heads. They’re very real and folks who push the boundaries and take action. That’s why I love to be included with this crew !!

This year a group of us are getting together at SHRM13 to play kickball !! (That’s great Steve – what does that have to do with anything ??) Good question. You see, we’re playing for charity to raise money and awareness for No Kid Hungry. They’re a phenomenal organization who’s making a real difference in ending hunger for children in America.

You have an opportunity to help us out in our efforts even though you might not be playing. We’re taking donations until we play next Sunday night. You can do by clicking on this link that goes to our fundraising page – SHRM 13 Kickball.

The thought of a bunch of adults reaching back to our childhood to have a friendly game from all of our memories gets me geeked !! We should never lose that time when we freely played, used our imaginations and thought there were no boundaries that we would ever face.

It’s humbling that I get to be involved in such a cool service and outreach effort. I hope you can take this opportunity to connect, give and take action as well. Your donation will help children eat – something we often take for granted.

For those of you on Twitter – for every Tweet on Tuesday using the hashtag #SHRMKickball there are two sponsors who will donate $1.00 per tweet up to $1,000 !! That is sweet !!

People ask me if HR can ever make a difference – Here’s a chance to show you can !!

Make sure you check out No Kid Hungry going forward as well. This may be something that your employees families are facing, and you don’t even know it. To get you in the “mood” I leave you with a song that talks about “opportunities” with that HR tie. Enjoy and thanks for considering this !!

No Kid Hungry SHRM13 Kickball Blogs

View more lists from Jonathan Brewer

Why Can’t We Be Friends ??

In a few weeks I’m going to SHRM13 !! The National HR Conference is always a great event. It’s so cool to be surrounded by thousands of HR pros from literally all over the world.

It will be great to see friends, but I’m also looking forward to meeting new folks. This is sometimes a challenge because many attendees are in a mad rush to get to sessions for their credits, or they stick with people from their own geographic region. I get this because I was like that when I first started going to SHRM Conferences. I thought the event was more important than the people who were right there with me.

That’s changed over the years and now my goal is to try and connect with as many HR peers as I can. I think we have the opportunity to take these types of forums and reach across boundaries to be a better profession !! Recently, Hank Jackson, SHRM CEO, shared that he wants SHRM to be seen as a Professional Society vs. a Membership Organization. When I heard this, I was geeked !! I’d love to see this transformation truly occur because the majority of messaging from SHRM over the past few years has been focused on membership.

It’s time for us, as HR professionals though to pave the way for this to occur. The best way for SHRM to move forward is for us to show the way and reach out to each other. It’s never going to shift much unless we move first.

I know this takes some risk, but it’s worth it. I know that by stepping out, I’ve met great people from literally around the world !! It meant taking the first step in most instances, but it’s always resulted in great relationships and even better resources. You have to remember that you share a common bond because of HR !! You’ll always have something to talk about.

So, if you’re going to be at SHRM13, let’s make sure to connect. It will rock and we’ll start setting the standard for others to follow !!

Together as one !!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the SHRM Leadership Conference. It is a true favorite for me because it is made up of fellow HR volunteers from all over the United States !! I also had the chance to meet some great people from SHRM India !!

What continues to amaze me at these intentional gatherings is that people still tend to run in the groups of people that they know. People stick within their State more than cross boundaries to meet others even though we are all in the same profession and we also have the commonality of volunteering !!

Fortunately, I have always believed in expanding boundaries. I love connecting with new people wherever I go and SHRMLead was a great opportunity to “reach across the aisle” and make this happen.

When I did this, along with my compatriot John Friend from North Dakota, incredible things began to happen !! People began to recognize the great things that bring us together. We have a passion for HR, people and seeing the profession strengthen and grow now and into the future. We also want to see it be relevant and necessary in all businesses and industries.

However, this won’t happen unless we start to realize that we are all in this together !!

If we want HR to be better – we need to be together !!

If we want SHRM to be better – we need to be together !!

If we truly want to be global – we need to be together !!

The only thing that keeps us from doing it is that we need more folks to reach out and be willing to connect with each other. We grow stronger as a whole when we incorporate the phenomenal ideas, approaches, strengths and diversity of our geography and our opportunities we face !!

By the end of the week I had been meeting and hanging out with people from Ohio (gimme since it’s where I’m from), North Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, California, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Montana, New Jersey, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arizona, Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, and India !!

These weren’t just chance meetings or passing each other in the halls. We spent time together advocating on Capitol Hill, sharing ideas in breakout sessions, sharing meals and the occasional adult beverage, and laughing about the incredible field of HR !!

I’ve written that one of my favorite groups of all time is U2 and their song “One” captures it all – “We’re one, but we’re not the same. We get to carry each other – Carry each other”

This week reach out. Make that intentional connection with other HR people. Join me in starting to bring us together. It’s going to happen !! And I’d love it if you were part of us . . . together !!