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“I’m Brad and I’m a conference addict”

Please respond in unison “Hi Brad”

The reality is that yes, I do enjoy state HR conferences and the reasons really do go beyond what one might ordinarily expect.  There are certainly great speakers to be heard, HRCI credits to earn (I’m not taking the SPHR exam again!) and enthusiastic vendors to meet.  I think it is my parental duty to bring back at least one souvenir to each of my children and my professional duty to have at least one new idea that can improve my workplace (or the workplaces of my clients!)

Beyond those obvious things, I cherish the opportunity to meet and talk to new people.  There are so many interesting stories to be learned and be shared.  I’ve been to multiple state conferences now of all sizes and times of year.  No matter where or when, I always come away knowing more about someone and getting the chance to see people who love what they do.  This satisfies one of my core beliefs in looking for the best in everybody.

It bears remembering though that this requires some effort, and often, a little extra time.  Although sessions and time in exhibit halls can bring these moments, they are much more apt to occur after the conference’s official hours are over and attendees are gathered in more informal settings.  I think back fondly to Louisiana SHRM and my conversation with Laurie Ruettimann and Lizzie Maldonado.  Although I know Laurie, I still learned more about her experience and life beyond HR and her cats.  Liz I hadn’t really known before and now I not only follow her on social media, but know and see firsthand the great vivacious person behind her twitter handle and her work at The Starr Conspiracy.  Moments like these happen everywhere from sitting down with John Jorgensen and Dave Ryan (both from Illinois) while in Ohio to meeting Travis Sinquefield from Michigan while at HREvolution in Chicago.  All great people who are so much more than their Twitter bio can describe!

So, if you’re attending one of the many great state HR conferences coming in the next few months, please take a little time and go out on a limb to meet some new people.  I guarantee that you will benefit from doing so!  I know I intend to meet new folks and gain insight from those I am fortunate enough to get to know during my time at Illinois SHRM from August 18-20 and at my own HR Indiana August 27-30, 2013.

There has been much introspection on my part lately. The end of my MBA studies is simultaneously exciting and daunting. In my attempts to decide “What’s Next” I have started talking to others about their own milestones and what, if anything, served as an “a-ha” moment in their own career and life progression.

What I have found is that there is rarely any one thing that acts as a trigger point and that it takes much time and even more interaction with others to help set events in motion. Learning about others and what makes them tick is one piece, but there is something more that has turned out to be even more informative. A quote by Carl Jung sums it up well:

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

It is possible to learn from the mistakes we make as well as the mistakes made by others. However, it is even more important to reflect inwardly when faced with a truth that does not fit with our own preconceived notion of being, especially when that truth lays elsewhere and can serve as warning to us as we push forward.

In my organization (and many others) there is a tendency to complain and ridicule the behavior of others. It’s not a big leap to begin the process of thinking through the reasons that a particular thing is a source of irritation. That process alone is a move forward to gaining a better understanding of ourselves and then to push these areas as opportunities for growth.

• Enjoying IU basketball being among the nation’s elite programs (Go Hoosiers!)
• Celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the 1st date with a beautiful young woman who would become my wife!
• Watching my kids play their respective sports (volleyball and lacrosse)
• Finishing my MBA(!!!!!)
• Speaking at the Louisiana SHRM Conference (which will allow me get to see so many of my great HR/social media friends!)
• Getting to read lots of non-school related books again (recommendations?)
• Turning 40 (hey, it beats the alternative)
• Attending my first SHRM National Conference (in Chicago, which is one of my favorite places to go!)
• Being part of the team for HR Indiana (August 28-30^th)

And those are just the things I know about right now!  There will certainly be more highlights so bring on a great year!  Happy New Year to all of you and may you all feel as fortunate as I do.