I spent the first twelve years of my career working in recruiting and HR departments. Then I spent nine years writing and speaking about HR, recruiting and technology. Working in HR makes you skeptical, and the first part of my career made a formative impact on my worldview. Whenever I hear a story about anything…
Every June, I run a half-marathon in Raleigh. It’s very hilly and hot, but it’s the last race around here until autumn. Last year’s race was when I totally blew out my hip and groin for what I hope will be the final time. I spent months resting and doing physical therapy, which is a…
I’m not one for sentimentalism — except when I am. You know what makes me sentimental? The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. My husband and I went there before we were married, and we argued about the validity of modern art. For the record, I liked Rauschenberg and Oldenburg. My husband wanted to throw his…
I’ve spent the past nine years of my life working on my public speakings skills. Professional speakers do a lot of things right, none of which I knew at the beginning of my journey. I once spoke at SHRM, and I totally blew it. I knew it from the moment I opened my mouth. And…
I gave up alcohol for 31 days. This is no big deal for most people, but it’s a big deal for me. It’s not like I’m a hardcore alcoholic; however, I think that’s what every hardcore alcoholic has said at one point in her life. Why wait until I hit rock bottom? (But I mostly…
There are two types of American HR departments. The first is a younger, recruiting-focused department that uses technology to build a case for change. (Does that sound like jargon? Yes, yes it is. These talent-minded pros use jargon to talk about what they do.) They don’t care about reporting to the CHRO or VP of…
Hi, everybody. I’m back from a multi-city tour that took me all over America. I had fun at my last stop — an event hosted by a recruiting company called Greenhouse. You might wonder, “What is a recruiting company?” Well, hang with me. When you apply for a job online, there are several distinct categories…
I’m just back from a few days in San Francisco. A friend asked, “Want to do SoulCyle?” My first reaction was to blow off the invitation because I’m not the kind of woman who does SoulCycle. In my head, people who take spin classes are super-fit and positive. They’re tall, confident, and know how to…
Lots of HR professionals want to know how to deliver value and build trust in organizations. (Like there’s a ten-step plan for being a better human being, too. Whatever.) People are always looking to experts when the answers reside within themselves. Drives me crazy. In as much as a blog post or a conference can…
Visiting Chicago is a challenge for me. I was born and raised in the area until I was seventeen. Then I moved back in my twenties for a few years. I know so many fun people in my life and have good memories in that city. On the other hand, I have a lot of…
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