Comments Section

Hello! About a year ago, it was a really big deal for a website to shut down its “comments” section. (See Copyblogger and PopSci.) The logic behind the decision was simple: you are too stupid to write anything helpful or productive. (And those editors were right, by the way. I was inspired.) The comments section…

Summer Book Recommendations

I want to thank everyone for buying and reading my book. I really want to say, “No, it’s a shitty e-book about HR. It’s a small thing. Unimportant. I am just testing out the market to see if I have anything to say. One of these days, I’ll write something more meaningful.” Please don’t let…

Your Three Most Powerful Words

My friend Gregory Ng believes that your personal brand comes down to three words. Does that feel right to you? I speak on the subject of personal branding all of the time. You are more than a bottle of dishwashing detergent. You have unlimited potential. You have a soul. But I think many of us would…

The State of HR Blogging in 2014

New HR bloggers are brave. They live in a liminal state where they daydream about the future of work while processing payroll, managing compliance issues, and providing ongoing support to leaders and employees. I admire their fortitude. Before you can write well about HR, you have to learn how to write. All new bloggers go through…

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

My neighbors have a dog who is quite an escape artist in her old age. Last time she escaped? It was the dog sitter’s fault. This time? It was an invisible fence failure. The family wasn’t home, and I found the dog darting back and forth across a country road. I called the dog’s name and she jumped…

HR Certifications

I’ve been asked two questions about HR certifications, this week. Here is the first one. I’ve seen you post a few times about worthwhile/non-worthwhile HR credentialing. I’m not credentialed at all, but I’d like to be so that I don’t look like an uneducated asshole. Which one would you recommend for someone who has been…

luluchadora wedding

The Happiest Moments of Your Life

Weddings are so fun. I was lucky enough to attend a dear friend’s wedding in Chapel Hill. The ceremony and reception did not disappoint. Family members and friends came together and socialized. I eavesdropped on private conversations between partners who thought no one was listening. And I watched people dance on the dance floor. So…

Emotional Blind Spots

Sometimes I am afraid that I might be the last to know. The last to know what? I dunno. Nothing in particular. Everything. My fear of being the last to know is my emotional blind spot. An emotional blind spot is an area in your life where your judgment is impaired, obstructed or obscured. When…