My heart and mind are full of appreciation for what transpired over the last few days at the 2018 SHRM Annual Conference (#SHRM18). I have notes upon notes, tweets upon tweets, follow-ups upon follow-ups, and ideas upon ideas to work through. But I can’t get past one thing.
I’m incredibly grateful for my #SHRM18 experience.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel to Chicago. I’m grateful for being able to peel away from work long enough to take in every aspect of the conference. I’m grateful to new and old friends that make these trips full of happy reunions.
I’m grateful for having the opportunity to be part of the team that tells the story of #SHRM18. I learned not only from amazing conference speakers but from the #SHRM18 Blogger’s work, comradery and expertise. They have made me better and will continue to do so.
I’m grateful for being exhausted. I went all in. I expanded my world. I pushed myself to get out of my comfort zone, to learn, to connect, to experience as much as possible. I did so with friends that are more like family and a network of thousands who all wanted the same.
So for everyone who helped bring #SHRM18 to fruition, as part of their job, as part of a volunteer effort, officially, unofficially, in presence and in spirit, I am also grateful. You made this experience possible, and I’m certain that sentiment is shared thousands of times over.
If we met at #SHRM18 for the first time, I’m thankful we did so. If we met again, in real life no matter how brief, or were simply a friendly face among thousands I am also thankful. The humanity shared in a conference this size and scope reaffirms my belief that as a profession we are set to do amazing things, and that there is good in people all around us, all the time.
Last, I’m grateful for the work we have yet to do.
Great workplaces aren’t going to build themselves. Mindsets won’t be changed without our combined efforts. Work should enrich the lives of everyone, EVERYONE, and that means we have a duty to put what we learned into practice.
Over the next few days, I’ll be writing more about the overall #SHRM18 experience, including key takeaways, recommendations, and ideas for carrying lessons learned together forward into our day to day work.
But for now, I want to say it clearly and without qualification.
THANK YOU, #SHRM18.
(Let’s do this again in 2019)
Carlos Escobar is a Human Resources (HR) and organizational development leader, change manager, project manager, analyst, writer, and entrepreneur. He works with people and organizations that want to improve productivity and outcomes by focusing on service, innovation, and execution.
- 0
- 49 views
Add new comment