Author Archives: Paul LaLonde

“We have a responsibility to influence the people in our lives to be the best possible people they can be: ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up’ (1 Thess. 5: 11).” – Henry Cloud & John Townsend from How to Have That Difficult Conversation Influence. It seems to be the word of theContinue reading “Use Your Influence for Good! A #WISHRM21 Interview with Michelle Yanahan”

“If you smell what the Rock is cooking…” – Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson For the first time in at least fifteen years, I LOVE professional wrestling. I mean, for the first time in years, I have a deep seeded PASSION for professional wrestling. I am not a TV person, but I cannot wait for WednesdayContinue reading “HR is Professional Wrestling”

“Sometimes, even to live is an act of courage.” – Seneca I haven’t written a blog post in a while. I hope you can forgive me. I’ve been going through a lot of personal and professional obstacles lately. Not all obstacles are bad – in fact – many are signs from the Universe that pointContinue reading “Paul, Where Have You Been?”

The following is a eulogy I wrote and read for my brother’s wake on July 8, 2021. I had no intent on publishing this; however, the response had been overwhelming, and many people asked me for a copy. I felt it must have been more powerful that I intended. So, I felt if it meantContinue reading “The Time That Is Given to Us: A Eulogy”

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Fredrick Douglass I have a rebellious streak in me at times. I don’t like to suffer fools. If something isn’t right, I have a very hard time going with it quietly. This streak has gotten me in trouble here and there. I’ve always hopedContinue reading “Black Rebels”

“When you don’t have much and you need to be at work, there’s no such thing as being sick.” – Scott Brooks I hate masks. There I said it. I hate wearing them. They’re uncomfortable, hot, fog up my glasses, and they mess up my beard! They suck. I am not, however, an anti-masker. IContinue reading “Americans at Work: The God That We Worship”

“What we think, we become.” – Buddha It’s likely you’ve heard the word “mantra” before, but have you ever given the time to think about what a mantra is, what it truly is? I’m a HUGE language nerd. I am so enthralled with the history of words and where they come from – entomology, orContinue reading “The Power of Mantras”

“He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. To live in the Tao, do your job, then let go.” – Lao Tzu, from Tao Te Ching One of my favorite blog pieces was a discussion on how HR can be like Winnie the Pooh. The main concepts and ideas were inspired byContinue reading “The Tao of HR”

“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” – Lao Tzu Ever since I was a little kid, I haveContinue reading “HR, Be Water”

The Street Level Influencer continues into 2021. Now more than ever, we need reminders from those individuals at the ground level making an impact in our daily lives – many times without us knowing it – that life is overwhelmingly good, even when it’s “bad.” Street level influencers provide that for us. COVID, social unrest,Continue reading “Street Level Influencer – Meet Shenise Cook”