Gratitude and Giving
From Mark As we gather around our tables to celebrate this season of Thanksgiving here in the US, we’re reminded that our greatest privilege lies not just in what we receive, but in what we can give. While life throws us curve balls from time to time, we at IA understand how incredibly lucky we […]
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the haunting signs of year-end burnout
From Mark, The final months of 2024 are upon us, and with shorter days and longer to-do lists, many organizations are facing a familiar challenge: end-of-year burnout. Like the autumn fog that settles in during October evenings, workplace exhaustion can creep up gradually, affecting teams before leadership has a chance to intervene. The relentless pace towards […]
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tales from HR Tech 2024
From Mark, In what I can only characterize as a transition year, the original HR Technology Conference & Exhibition took a final bow in Las Vegas last week, with the newly emerging “HR Tech” brand (replete with logo and identity changes) embracing the shortened moniker applied to this storied event for more than two decades. No matter the […]
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From fist pounding to fast friends – a tale of transformation
When I first started working on organizational transformations many years ago, I had the misguided notion that sharing my expertise as much as possible equated to value. That typically meant talking… a lot. One day, a leader finally told me to “shut the **** up.” She said it seven times in a row while pounding […]
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Balancing on the Transformation Tightrope
In the world of HR transformation, senior leaders often find themselves on a precarious tightrope. On one side, there’s the need to build organizational capacity, ensuring that teams have enough resources, infrastructure, and bandwidth to execute on the business’s strategic initiatives. On the other side, there is the ongoing need to cultivate capability, equipping teams […]
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Saying the quiet part out loud…finally
As the curtains close on the recent Elevate People, Ignite Change (EPIC) HR conference, for which I had the privilege to serve as conference chair and emcee, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact of our collective conversations. This year’s event was more than just a gathering of professionals – it was a bold step toward […]
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Why employee experience is resurging in the era of AI
n the race to adopt cutting-edge technologies, organizations often overlook the heartbeat of their success: their employees. The concept of employee experience certainly isn’t new, and it encompasses every interaction an employee has with their workplace, from recruitment to retirement. It’s the emotional journey that shapes their commitment, motivation and overall satisfaction, and it’s at risk of […]
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(Nearly) One Month Down and the Struggle is Real
Congratulations, we’ve almost made it to the end of January! While I’m not someone who embraces resolutions with enthusiasm – despite “suggestions” from those around me – I do embrace the optimism that comes with new beginnings. The allure of positive change is palpable, but it’s all too easy to start the race strong and […]
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Another (Exhausting) Year
When late December approaches, I harken back to the days when I was a kid and my pent-up energy for the holiday break. No classes, no homework, no rules…okay, some rules, but a palpable sense that the time off would lead to fun, food, and festivities of all sorts. Fast forward to present day and […]
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Fanning the Flames of a Faltering Transformation
A close colleague of mine was asked to facilitate a workshop with senior leadership of an organization wrestling with their ways of working. To describe the session as challenging would be an understatement, as they were immediately faced with either bored indifference or outright hostility. They shared that it was heartbreaking to see the sponsor […]
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