HREvolution posts have come and gone. Now that I’m on vacation, I can finally organize just a few thoughts.
I love seeing people in real life. Context is everything, and when I see people who are kicking ass and taking names in action, it makes me stronger and more committed to my own goals. Some people just exude intentionality, and being around them makes me much more focused. Just a few examples

  • All the volunteer leaders of HREvolution, keeping their word, getting down into the details, and making stuff happen in order to pull off an impeccable event. You know who they are. And how awesome they are.
  • Sarah White moving from Bright Idea to Execution in the space of ten minutes. During the discussion of HRIS advisory services for small companies, it became clear to Sarah that there was a market opening that she was uniquely qualified to fill. A few pecks on her iphone later, and she owned her new URL. She hosted planning meetings that day. I have no doubt Sarah will take this idea all the way.
  • Amanda Hite and her posse move through a room like lions on the hunt. Amanda is literally a self-made woman, and she knows how to work for what she wants. Amanda owned the responsibilities of micro-celebrity, never forgetting to treat each of her “fan-friends” to her full attention. She truly gets that she’s onstage at events like this, and that each interaction matters. I know she must have been exhausted by the time she got home, but her energy never flagged in front of others.

I thought a lot about personal responsibility at this event. The lack of structure of an unconference is a perfect fit for me.  I loved being responsible for getting what I needed out of the conference, rather than just being force-fed slide after slide of data and opinion.  It was great to get to ask people directly about how they’re getting things done, what they’re thinking about at work these days, and what they’d like to create next.  It made the conference much more work, but much more useful, than those meetings where one person does all the talking and the folks with great input sit there taking notes. If you don’t like talking to new people, or you don’t have the discipline to make things happen for yourself, there are always more traditionally structured meetings or conferences to keep you up to date.

Thanks to everyone who participated in HREvolution, at whatever level, and whatever your goals were.  I learned something from each of you, and I hope you got more out of it than you put in, as another attendee observed.