I'm often wrong - so I have a #PLN

I had a super stressful time in Venice. Whilst there I was reflecting on leading a team, leading change and how much I enjoy prosecco. A mentor of mine once told me that being right 8 times out of 10 is a good result, but what defines you is how you acknowledge the 2 out of 10 times that you were wrong. 

When I talk about my personal learning network (PLN) it means just that, it means people I learn from. Not people I know and agree with - but people that cause me to think differently or reevaluate. When I talk to people about learning networks I say they need to contain people who are brave enough to say 'I don't see it that way' or 'I'm not sure you've thought that through'. 

So I thought I'd slap together a list of people that challenge me - this is a list of people that I disagree with most often - and when I examine their position I'm most likely to change mine. That's a beautiful sweet spot... Some I know very well and some are at the edge of my orbit...but they all make me think. It's not an exhaustive list, but it's a good one. In no particular order. 

Neil Morrison - I first met Neil face to face because we had argued and then I think we found enough common ground to find a way to keep arguing. He keeps me thinking. 

Julie Drybrough - Julie has completely different angles to me on some things and is wonderfully well equipped and comfortable to utter the line 'you are talking bollocks' and summon up either a better argument from me or a sheepish grin. 

Sukh Pabial - we meet up to argue. If we disagree online we go for a Wagamamas because we both want to hear the other person's position in case it is closer to the truth. That's a great thing. Really interesting reflections on L&D in general and his own ability to walk the walk. 

David Goddin - Mr Goddin is more considered than me and asks questions that I bother to stick with. Not everyone can do that, but I respect him enough to ride them out. A genuinely deep thinker. His reflections on his PLN are here 

Neil Usher - I'm lucky that Neil is writing again. A rich and challenging thinker who really wants to create change. A healthy cynicism that helps you re-examine whether you are in flow or going with the flow. 

Simon Heath - A passion for people that manifests itself in some of the most articulate and thoughtful rants and peaceful and reflective observations. He says 'no' very loudly and often. 

Euan Semple - Euan is challenging, honest, well read and holds interesting positions on interesting things. We interact on Facebook and occasionally in real life, but his posts are always worth a read and some thought. 

Kate Griffiths-Lambeth - Wise, principled, caring and resolute. A richness of experience and thinking that can make my own feel entirely underwhelming. Which is good. 

Richard Martin - Genuinely interesting thoughts on a host of things including the shape of careers and organisational parallels to cycling. Also a film expert. His first book is available here, mine is preordered... 

Bill Boorman - Bill covers all things recruitment in an enquiring and informed way. He is the antithesis of the slick image of recruitment - embodying curiosity, challenge and an absolute future focus. He's also a convener for other smart people to talk recruitment - a focal point and leader. 

Michael Carty - writes beautifully, connects people wonderfully and does it all humbly. Check out his musings here, he regularly kickstarts my brain on a Saturday morning. 

Barry Flack - is angry and impatient about everything. When you add that to years of experience actually doing stuff you find that what he is angry about is the stuff you should probably be a bit angry about too.

Ian Pettigrew - Ian is gentler, kinder and far calmer than me. He has an openness and care that means he is a great person to have hold a mirror up for you in conversation - and his commitment to focusing on strengths and resilience is inspiring. 

Mark Beatson - is our Chief Economist at the CIPD. Witty, challenging, fun to be around and very annoying in his insistence that I occasionally use data to back up my position. A pleasure to work with and know. 

Steve Toft - I rely on Steve to use data to challenge my assumptions and keep me more informed. I don't always agree with him, but I know his position will always be evidence based and well researched. His knowledge of public houses in London also makes him a useful part of my network.

Jo Stephenson - a challenging combination of L&D, psychology and compassion. One of the people that I'll feel most upset about missing a blog from. 

Trish McFarlane - I first met Trish a couple of years ago on a sunny day in South Bank. She combines incredible industry awareness and insight by being so nice and positive that you have to check at the end of the conversation exactly what you have agreed with and how your view might have changed. Super smart. super informed, super company.

John Sumser - John is an interesting one as we have never met and he and I somehow became friends on Facebook and I don't know how. A thoroughly modern part of my network. Almost every day John starts a discussion about something leadership, technology or HR related and almost every day that's one of the best questions I see given voice. 

Owen Ferguson - Owen is someone I'd love to spend more time with. We bump into each other a few times a year and his passion for psychology, research and working out what actually makes a difference is remarkable. He has a lovely way of looking at the world - wry and challenging. 

Rob Briner - I disagree with Rob mainly over how to articulate the things that we agree on. Those things primarily being that separating the signal and the noise when it comes to the workplace could benefit an awful lot of business decisions and people. I'll be running a session with him at this year's CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 

Andrew Jacobs - I like to keep my L&D thinking up to date and Mr Jacobs is challenging, practical and his 50 Big Ideas to Change L&D post is as valid as when it was written. 

Merv Dinnen - Similarly if I want to keep up to date with trends and changes in recruitment from someone I trust then I'm lucky to meet Merv quite regularly. You won't find anyone more passionate or who it is more enjoyable to disagree with. 

Phil Willcox - Phil thinks long and hard about emotion and feels that others should too. He's genuinely an evangelist for more awareness in the workplace and every conversation with him is interesting for that. 

Siobhan Sheridan - Siobhan's views on HR and leadership make you pause and reflect on a far broader picture than 'what is trendy' or 'what is the challenge immediately in front of us'. I've change my calendar more than once to find a way to listen to her speak. 

Gareth Jones - Up to date on all things tech, passionate about improving recruitment and organisations and really inspiring to listen to. Willing to engage with anyone in informed debate - and to engage with me when I'm uninformed too. 

Inji Duducu - I used to work for her. I used to disagree with and learn from her then and I still do now. One of the most interesting people to make angry that I've ever met and one of the most compassionate whenever you need something. 

I was planning to link to all of their blogs - but instead I got lazy and decided to add them all to a Twitter list that you can find here. Happy learning. 

--------

A few reflections... 

Why aren't there more women? I don't know. It's not like I don't know more women. It's not like I don't listen to women (my favourite boss was a woman, sorry dudes). Maybe I just agree with women too often for them to make the list? The women on the list are awesome, maybe focus on that. 

Do an abnormally high percentage have beards? Probably.

I can't believe you left out x? I'm sure you'll come to terms with it over time. Concentrate on value and the value of difference. That's the point of the list. 

-----------

I'm Head of London for the CIPD, however my writing reflects my views and thoughts (or conversations I'm having with the HR community) rather than the positioning of the CIPD itself. If you'd like to know more about the CIPD in London look here and for our events check here.

If you'd like to know more about the future of the HR profession then click gently and gracefully here

I'm usually happy to connect with people with shared interests and you can also find me over on Twitter at @dds180.