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I live just a few minutes away from one grandson and 1000 miles from the other.    Fortunately, I am able to spend time with each of them every week. When I have mentioned this to friends, the first thing they ask is, “how?”  The answer is simple:  A computer and a webcam allow us to overcome the distance and see our grandson, Lorenzo, as he has begun to walk, run and say words. We visit with Lorenzo and his parents for an hour or so every weekend. Lorenzo gets excited when we first can be seen on the computer screen and greets us enthusiastically. After everyone says hello, he proceeds with his play while we talk with his mom. A few minutes later, he will come back to the computer and wave, dance to music, laugh and wander off again. He blows us kisses and waves goodbye when the conversation is ending. In that hour, the relationship with his grandparents deepens and grows.

The same routine is followed with his paternal grandparents in Italy, though this conversation is in Italian. He responds – plays – dances and blows kisses. At 15 months, this little boy is connected across the globe! It is comfortable and commonplace for him in a way that would not have been possible a few years ago. 

It should be no surprise that HR is expanding into a global focus!  HR has changed; this millennium has seen the profession developing across borders and cultures. The dramatic changes that have occurred in the global landscape and economy have resulted in a world that is more connected than ever before.  Historical and geographical divisions are becoming increasingly irrelevant and our jobs in HR are becoming even more challenging.  A new world is dawning and we need to be ready.

I am not sure how Lorenzo’s generation will be referenced. Will Gen Z come after Gen Y?  Whatever they might be called, I see a generation for which technology is commonplace, diversity is the norm, and relationships regularly transcend geographical borders. It will be an exciting world, not just for Lorenzo, but for us all.

Get ready – study for the GPHR!  Visit www.hrci.org for details.

As midsummer approaches, I find myself eagerly anticipating the HR Florida Conference & Expo in August.  I am looking forward to the networking and sessions, especially Keith Ferrazzi’s “Relationships for Group Success”.  I am reading his newest book, “Who’s Got Your Back?” in order to better prepare for his session.

Last fall, Keith Ferrazzi was a keynote speaker at the national College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) conference in St. Louis. I was presenting a concurrent session that morning and almost skipped the keynote to do a last minute run through of my presentation.  I was glad I stayed and listened. 

Keith, who is also the author of “Never Eat Alone,” told his story of going from being the son of a steelworker and a cleaning lady to earning a scholarship at Yale, receiving his MBA from Harvard, and becoming the youngest partner in Deloitte Consulting’s history. All of these accomplishments were the result of his ability to connect with others.  He stressed the true value of networking is not exchanging business cards, but building actual relationships.  It is our individual stories and our passions that give us the tools to connect with others. Conference attendees were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and introduce ourselves to one another by sharing what was important to us, that passion that defines who we are. We were challenged to do that throughout the remainder of the conference.

The concepts were simple and I took the challenge seriously.  I left the session and hurried to the room assigned to my presentation, knowing I could no longer present it in the way it had been practiced. How could I better tell the story behind the presentation?  Where was my passion for Human Resources?  I had 15 minutes to revise a presentation that had come together over several months. 

As the room filled and it was time to start, I took a deep breath and introduced myself – not as a title on an organizational chart, but as a Human Resource professional whose passion is to make a difference in the world. The PowerPoint presentation became the vehicle to help tell a story.  The presentation became more personal and the interaction with the 40 people in the room became frequent and genuine. I realized later it was the best presentation I had ever given.

Most people view conferences as a good way to retreat from their day-to-day world, make new friends and earn continuing education credits.  A good conference can be so much more; what you learn and the connections you make can make a difference.  It’s not too late to register for HR Florida! Go with an open mind and a willingness to explore new ideas!  I guarantee you will hear something that lights a fire or kindles a passion, allowing you to return to your day-to-day world empowered with new gifts and a fresh commitment to HR.

I collect political memorabilia.  This interest began when I was around 8 years old and found a large William McKinley commemorative coin while playing in my grandmother’s backyard.  At that age, I’d not studied American history and knew nothing of our 25^th president.  The coin included a little information about the President on it which prompted me to learn more on my next weekly visit to the library.

My collection is primarily made up of campaign pins, each telling a story of a time in the history of our country. Some pins have pictures of the candidates; others have just a name such as “Roosevelt”; others add “vote for” to the candidate’s name.  Some of the pins describe the candidate.  Former Florida Congressman, Claude Pepper, was “A Man for all Ages”.  Jesse Jackson’s 1988 short lived presidential campaign pin describes him as “A Great Man with a Great Vision.” All are unique and all have stories behind them.  

A concept captured on several different campaign pins from the 2008 election is different.  It does not describe the candidate; instead, it reaches out to the voters.  The election is over, but it still speaks to us and especially those of us in Human Resources when it declares “Be the Change”.

What a powerful statement! As HR has moved away from a transactional focus into a transformational role, we have become the change agents for our organizations!  We understand that change is constant, but we also know how intimidating and difficult it is for many employees.  As change agents, we can help our employees do more than just accept change.  We can enable them to reach out and eagerly embrace it. 

We do that by showing a personal commitment and presenting a positive attitude toward the change. We set the example and “walk the walk”.  Change must begin with us!  We are responsible for communicating information about impending changes and ensuring the support of management.  We understand the need to involve people in the process and educate employees.  As change agents, we anticipate resistance and identify ways to deal with it ahead of time. 

HR professionals understand the concept of “Be the Change”.  It is more than a political slogan; it is our calling and our mission.

If you would like to learn more about being a Change Agent, consider signing up for HR Certification review sessions like Big Bend SHRM’s  fall PHR/SPHR certification sessions.