• Posted on May 22, 2024

Did you know that 76% of employees are actively seeking ways to advance their careers? Yet only 30% are satisfied with their current career development opportunities. With 20 years in HR focusing on executive advising, training, and organizational development, I’ve seen firsthand the benefit of employee development when it comes to retention and engagement.

Today, I had the privilege of attending an enlightening HR educational summit sponsored by Bamboo HR, and I’m eager to share some key takeaways that I found particularly valuable.

Firstly, traditional career progression questions are no longer enough. It’s time to dig deeper and ask, “What does career success look like for you?” or “What talents do you yearn to leverage?” These questions not only empower employees but also align their aspirations with organizational goals, boosting productivity and retention.

Second, embracing AI in HR can be a game-changer. From crafting job descriptions to generating interview questions, AI can streamline processes and free up time for more strategic tasks.

Third, seems every continuing education conference/summit has got to include tips on managing workplace conflict. Why? Because it can make or break an organization, in my humble opinion. The top three reasons for increased conflict that were shared in this summit are overwhelm and burnout (27%), poor management practices (27%), and pandemic-related mental health issues (21%). It’s a stark reminder of the need for empathetic leadership and meaningful (not performative) support systems.

That said, some of the best ways to address conflict is to come from curiosity and not judgement. For example, consider asking, “What do you suggest we do next? What can I do to support you right now? What’s one action we can both agree to as a next step?”

We also learned from James Clear and his book, Atomic Habits that (1) habits are the compound interest of self-improvement, (2) excellence is not about radical changes, but about accruing small improvements over time, and (3) true behavior change is identity change.

As someone passionate about sociology and its application in HR, I really appreciate these insights! Some were timely reminders and others were new.  Creating a more fulfilling and productive work environment is a process, not a destination.

What are your thoughts on these takeaways? Do you agree or disagree?

Did you attend continuing education recently where you learned something new? I’d love to hear about it!

Share your perspective in the comments, and if you found this post helpful, please feel free to repost.

#HRInnovation #EmployeeDevelopment #WorkplaceWellness #HRVirtual24

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I’m on a mission to help people and communities thrive into their best selves. I do this through:

(𝟭) Empowering jobseekers and college students with career wellness and

(𝟮) Helping communities flourish!

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