The HR Philosopher

My brother Mark's riding boots and trademark "fancy hat." 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 powerfulContinue 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"

Meditating human in lotus pose. Yoga illustration. Colorful 9 chakras and aura glow. Mandala background. “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 amContinue 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"

Shenise Cook is a DYNAMIC person, professional, and an all around badass! Get to know her, and then go connect with her! 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 usContinue reading "Street Level Influencer – Meet Shenise Cook"

Dan Huber, Co-Founder of the HR Hot Seat, Milwaukee Chapter. Many of us have people in our lives, who, when introducing us to their network, we proclaim “Any friend of _____ is a friend of mine!” For me, that person is Erich Kurschat. He seems to attract such a diverse set of individuals to hisContinue reading "HR Philosopher – Street Level Influencer: Dan Huber"

“You must unlearn what you have learned.” – Yoda “Truth is powerful and it prevails.” – Sojourner Truth “History is philosophy teaching by example.” – Thucydides Some of my earliest memories of my Grandpa Bob are of me sitting with him watching the History Channel – back when it actually showed history. We would watchContinue reading "Black History Lessons: Why HR Needs to Study the Past"

“The only reason to study philosophy is to become a better person.” – Ryan Holiday On Thursday February 25th, my friends and colleagues Olga Piehler, Carlos Escobar, Erich Kurschat, and I are putting on a FREE Pop-Up Roundtable to discuss the book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. I hope you join us!Continue reading "Panel Preview: Why Discuss The Obstacle Is the Way?"