The HR Philosopher

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com “When you dominate other people’s emotions, the time has to come when you have to pay, and heavily, for that privilege.” – Ethel Waters “Force can overcome force, but a free society cannot long steel itself to dominate another people by sheer force.” – Dean Acheson I got my firstContinue reading "It’s Not About the Tattoos"

Thich Nhat Hanh fake oil painting by Alvin Alexander “Thích Nhất Hạnh is a real poet.” – Robert Lowell I have maintained since day one of writing this blog that philosophy offers professionals a difference making outlook on life, work, love, and everything. To me, philosophy is about living one’s best life and acting onContinue reading "Nine Quotes by Thích Nhất Hạnh That Could Change the Way You Do HR (and Life)"

Me at the HRUnite! 2022 Conference in Frankenmuth, MI. I'm excited I found it! “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb There are those rare events that reinvigorate you, inspire you, help you remember why you do what you do. This is the point of “conferencing!” It is meantContinue reading "#HRUnite! Conference 2022: Key Take Aways from an #HRAwesome Event!"

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy Note: I wrote this as a random scattering of thoughts following a tumultuous June. Mass shootings, the end of Roe v. Wade, January 6th Hearings – a United States in crisis. It was therapeuticContinue reading "Random Thoughts as the World Burns"

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell The Great Resignation is a lot of things. Some of them true, some of them REALLY true. One stat, in particular, strikes me as incredibly interesting! Last year, 53% of those who quit did so for a career change. That’s incredible to me. Over halfContinue reading "Changing Careers"

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” – Dalai Lama My parents divorced when I was seven. Raised by a single mother, my three brothers and I had a challenging life. Was it horrible? No. Not at all! But one cannot discountContinue reading "Amplifying Voices"

“Personal values are the measuring sticks by which we determine what is a successful and meaningful life.” – Mark Manson How do you know you “made it?” Depends on what you value. Personally, I value relationships. I value being of service to others. I value trying to make the world a better place. How didContinue reading "HR Social Hour Half Hour Podcast: A Story"

“You, what do you own the world? How do you own disorder? Disorder.” – System of a Down, Toxicity I first heard of Patty Hearst in high school. Her story is an interesting one, if not tragic. She was abducted and held hostage by a terrorist group in San Francisco in the 1970s. The groupContinue reading "Stockholm Syndrome, Toxicity, and Work"

The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it. – Galadriel, The Lord of the Rings Something is indeed in the water. It is in the earth, the air.Continue reading "People Leaders, Beware the One Ring of Power"

Photo by Crono Viento on Pexels.com “Marcus Aurelius is the noblest of all the men who, by sheer intelligence and force of character, have prized and achieved goodness for its own sake and not for any reward." – Michael Grant, Historian It’s no secret that the Stoics have deeply influenced my personal and professional life.Continue reading "Nine Quotes by Marcus Aurelius That Could Change the Way You Do HR (and Life)"