Lead 09
This year, for the first time, I went to the SHRM Leadership conference. This blog posting is my reflections and perceptions only, which may or may not reflect the views of Society for Human Resource Management or the Human Resource Association of Southern Maine. That’s my disclaimer and I’m sticking to it. Feel free to respond with challenges, corrections and affirmations.
Lead09′s value proposition lies in showing what you need to know; where the answers are; better & best practices; & reflection.
This year, the intent seemed to be focused on having only chapter presidents and/or president elects attend. HRASM sent three members of the 2010 leadership team – president-elect, secretary, and treasurer-elect along with the two members of our Pinnacle Award submission team. This decision has merit. The incoming officers got good exposure to the nuances of chapter strategic planning and operations management. The Pinnacle Award team experienced the enthralling energy of the awards ceremony. The traveling, dining, attending and moments in between allowed the five of us to bond in ways not otherwise available.
Normally, going to a convention/conference, you know have a good idea of what to expect in each breakout session. Instead, there was confusion and a sense of going into the unknown. Kudos to SHRM for overcoming this on day one with the orientation and overview sessions. SHRM published and provided a Conference Program pamphlet and a Workbook. These two books together told us where to be & when, while also providing sound content outlines.
My personal highlights include:
• The collegial and cordial environment was energizing. In other words, just being there.
• Succession and transition macro overview was good.
• Pinnacle award presentation – the power of HR delivered to those in need
• Financial Essential outline will be used to self-learn and audit current programs, practices and policies for fiduciary obligation, responsibilities and opportunities.
• Networked with Nancy T. Kaysarly from Cairo, Egypt
• Got to meet face to face with two of my Twitter followers – China Gorman and Sharlyn Lauby. I sense there were many more Twitter’ers there which means next year there needs to be a Tweetup
Lowlights
• Sardine packed breakout session.
• Noise level during ice breakers was a serious detractor and distraction
• The hoped for review (which was a published agenda item) of Financial Essentials did not occur; deferred to a video presentation on the SHRM Volunteer Leaders’ Center website. Also includes the topics of Liability Protection, Technology, and Working with the Media
o Will suspend further judgment pending video review
• The new SHRM vision statement obliquely restates Human Resources as people management issues
Recommendations
• Organized Tweetup for us Twitter’ers
• Reorganize the breakout sessions away from chapter size and toward functional leadership roles. There is value in talking with your functional peers for benchmarking and best practicing.
Take For Action
• Strategic Leadership: review and reflect intentional Selection, Succession Planning and Transition Planning
• Understanding operations. Areas of responsibility and interest include Financial Essential, Technology, Liability Protection and Working with the Media.
Bottom Line: The SHRM Leadership conference remains the best opportunity for chapter leadership teams to network with each other while also engaging in facilitated dialogues that will continue to ensure & strengthen strategic alignment and engagement between national SHRM, regional SHRM, state SHRM and local chapters. Local chapters are where the rubber meets the road.
Thanks for the mention. It was a pleasure meeting you as well.
I agree SHRM should organize a tweetup next year. One of the biggest benefits of the conference is meeting and connecting with people. But even without the tweetup, it looked like people gathered at the bar every night to network.
Sharlyn Lauby said this on November 22, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I’ve always walked away from Leadership feeling energized. I hope you can take what you learned and felt and put it into action. Networking with other professionals is priceless. I’m happy it went well.
Rick Dacri said this on November 22, 2009 at 7:13 pm
It is a favorite conference of mine. The networking, meeting new colleagues and the learning opportunities are all excellent and the after hour networking sessions are icing on the cake. Hope to meet you face-to-face at the next one.
You provide a very good recap
jkjhr said this on November 22, 2009 at 10:36 pm
What a great executive summary you provide. The time I spent with other HRASM leaders was invaluable and would not have happened without this conference. I got to know, on a more personal level, people I know professionally. What a gift that was. Thank you for your insight. You’ve said it well.
Deborah Whitworth said this on November 24, 2009 at 1:35 pm
@Sharlyn – The Bartender speaks with wisdom.
@Rick – Thank you for your guidance and support. We need to talk about enhancing social media within our sphere of interest and influence.
@jkjhr – This is a must attend conference for all chapter leaders.
@Deb – Our team bonding was the theme through out. Speaks highly of past, present and pending presidents. HRASM is solid and reaching ever higher.
RMSJr said this on November 26, 2009 at 6:19 am
I enjoyed the conference as well. This was my second year attending and I hope to go again in the future. The information exchange is very valuable and being able to make personal connections is the highlight. I came away knowing that HRASM is strong and growing and inline with SHRM’s vision and strategy. I feel priviledged to be a part of an organization that is making a difference.
Karen Kochjar said this on November 30, 2009 at 2:31 pm