Notes, updates, and random thoughts

Wow, it's been a busy week and since I didn't manage to get a solid (or even a shaky) post up this morning, I figured I would clean out at least some of the 'stuff I wanted to blog about' backlog and start fresh next week.

So here you go, presented in no particular order or assumption of importance:

I did a webcast this week over at HCI and sponsored by my friends at Oracle HCM. The webcast was about trying to find the right balance between Talent (really people) and Technology. I am not totally sure I know how to do that, but I took a shot and shared some thoughts. My slides from the webcast are here, and over on the HCI site you can access the webcast archive if you are so inclined.

And if you decide to check out the webcast slides, you should also (if you have not previously) take a look at some of the other stuff I have out on Slideshare, including the still popular 8 Man Rotation, The 2011 Season E-book on Sports and HR. Each week that old Ebook gets a few dozen views which always gives me a chuckle.

Also, the HR Happy Hour Show and Podcast has been on a roll in the last few weeks, so if you haven't had a chance check out some of the most recent shows including 'Data Driven HR' with the great people at Equifax Workforce Solutions, 'Putting People First', recorded live from Ultimate Connections 2014, and last week's show, 'Wellness for the Modern Workforce' with ShapeUp. You can always get all the HR Happy Hour Shows for free on iTunes as well - just head to the podcasts section of iTunes store and search for 'HR Happy Hour'.

On the 'real job' front, I have been busy finalizing the agenda for this October's HR Technology Conference. Head over to the website for updates about the program and to register. We are planning the biggest, most expansive, most comprehensive conference yet, and I promise you don't want to miss it. Also, HRevolution 2014 tickets are on sale for the event that will be held in November. Act fast on that one, as only a few tickets remain.

I am waist-deep watching the NBA playoffs at the moment. There's nothing better after a long day than watching the best basketball players in the world competing at the highest levels for a couple of hours. And I am on the Atlanta Hawks bandwagon right now.

Lastly, I wanted to mention and say thanks to the great folks at PeopleMatter for inviting me to participate in their upcoming Collaborate conference. I will be down in the great city of Charleston, SC in a couple of weeks to present a talk and to meet some of the PeopleMatter customers as well. I am really looking forward to getting back to South Carolina and am already contemplating not coming back.

Ok, that is it for now. Have a great weekend all!

Notes From the Road #7 - On Chatty Cab Drivers

Quick dispatch from sunny Las Vegas where I am attending and presenting at the Oracle HR User's Group, (OHUG), annual conference.

On the cab ride in from the airport yesterday  I was either lucky or unfortunate, (depending on your point of view), to have a classic chatty cab driver. The kind of guy not only interested in sharing a few choice nuggets about his city, fun things that might be happening in town, the most recent and noteworthy local news items, and whatever else is on his mind. The chatty cab driver scenario usually ends badly, particularly if you've been traveling all day and just are not in the mood for small talk.

Yesterday my cab driver, a man of about 55 or so years old I'd guess, somehow, (I am really not sure what set him off, I only said something incredibly mundane and boring like, 'Wow, kind of windy today'), got set off on a little monologue about the value of hard work, the need for more people to suck it up and just quit complaining, and simply find something, anything valuable and positive to do with their time, and just do it and shut the hell up.

I believe his exact, (or near enough), quote on the topic was something like -  

People need to drop the ideology that you have to get your dream job. There's no such thing. And even when you think you have it, in 2 years you'll just want to chase some other dream. Look at me, you think I dreamed about driving a cab in the desert? You do what you have to do.

It was an interesting and realistic take and whether or not you agree with the folks (mostly life coaches, I think), that proscribe chasing your dreams or doing the work that you are passionate about, every time you talk to a real working person about their careers and their choices it always provides some great perspective. 

You think I dreamed about driving a cab in the desert?

No, I don't think you probably did. Probably hardly anyone does. But as you said, Mr. I-did-not-catch-your-name Cab Driver, and as you rightly conclude, sometimes, maybe more than you hoped for, you do what you have to do.

And honestly, lots and lots of people doing what they have to do make life a heck of a lot easier for those of us who feel like chasing (often elusive) dreams. So thanks for the ride and the conversation.

Back to Vegas. I have the Heat minus 3.5 tonight.

And Matt 'akaBruno' Stollak likes Michigan State to win the Big 10 this Fall.

Notes From the Road #6 - Accountability in the Air

The scene was the start of the cross-country Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta - San Francisco. As the last few passengers were getting settled, the head flight attendant commenced her normally familiar and standard set of pre-flight announcements. You know these standard flight safety announcements, you tune them out just like I do - I mean what person alive is actually not familiar with how a seat belt is fastened?

But on this flight - the announcements were different and distinctive. No, not for being all that clever or funny, like sometimes are found on Southwest Air flights, but for being more real, personal, and accountable that most. 

Before launching into the speech about the faster seat belt light and turning off cell phones, the flight attendant said something along the lines of this:

'I know that you many of you may find air travel frustrating or stressful or too expensive. I know what people sometimes write or say about flying on our airline. I understand that feeling sometimes myself. But I want to let you know that it is my personal responsibility to make this flight an enjoyable one for you, and to take some of that stress and frustration away. So if and when you need something, you let me know, and I will take care of it.'

What I loved about the speech, apart from the sincerity from which it was delivered, (you kind of had to be there to get that sense), was that the flight attendant talked in first person, using 'I' and 'me' in her statements, rather than the softer and more general 'we' or 'us'. She was not suggesting that the other flight attendants on the flight did not share her desire to make the flight a successful and enjoyable one, but rather she was taking personal ownership and accountability for results. It is a small thing, but I thought it stood out, and to me it was pretty refreshing.

And as the 5-hour flight passed, from what I observed she backed up that statement with her performance. Cheerful, attentive, professional all the way. I think demonstrating some of the best leadership I've seen in action in a long time. 

Recognize the issues, take ownership, have a plan, be personally responsible, and then follow through.

Very cool and a definitley helped make a Sunday night cross-country flight much better.

Have a Great Weekend!