We don't have a people problem. We have a situation problem.

Over the past few days, I had the wonderful opportunity to host HRPA's Annual Conference. Over 4,000 human resources professionals gathered to hear from some of the best speakers both inside and outside of HR. As a host, I try to not just introduce people or add some humour to the proceedings. I try to connect the dots, integrate the messaging, and draw parallels between disparate thoughts and insights. To close the 3 days, I curated the best thoughts and most impactful statements from all keynotes to summarize what attendees could and should do once they left. These are those comments.

Out beyond ideas and wrongdoing and rightdoing is a field. I’ll meet you there. Well, for human resources professionals over the last three days, we’ve tried to make this your field.

This is here where you gathered. To talk. To listen. To inform and be informed. To inspire and be inspired. It’s not just fun. And lively. It’s critical. It’s positive workplace climate change.

And we need it more than ever. 

We don’t have a people problem. We have a situation problem. And if you have a problem with your problem, that’s a problem.

Let’s face it, people are highly suggestible. Don’t wait for the stiletto to drop. You don’t want a seat at the table. You want the table. Passion isn’t a starting point, it’s an end point. Good is the new cool. 

The alarm is a metaphor for the thing that bothers you. It will keep poking you. So. What are you waiting for? We’re hard-wired for optimism. Change is only hard for the unready. So get ready. When the opportunity presents itself, it rarely gets it wrong.

Start with your values. But remember that your purpose isn’t what you do. It’s what happens to others when you do what you do. Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything. But after believing comes doing.

There will always be an excuse not to do something. 

The climate is more important than the people.

It’s hard work. And it’s heart work. 

We can’t create time. But we can create energy.

We all know what great looks like. So go be it. Venting might feel great. But so does crack cocaine. So… 

Don’t be a copycat. Interrupt your autopilot. Separate your reality from your suffering.

Act like a giddy herd. Don’t worry about what someone is. Worry about who they are.

Go from suck to non-suck. Move like a maverick. Prioritize your purpose on purpose. Become the best version of yourself. Become your own second coming. 

There’s no best you. But there are a lot of good yous. Stop judging. Start helping. 

Include all opinions and perspectives.  If great minds think alike, one of those minds is redundant. So think like a poet. 

Recognize. Respect. Build relationships. Be you. Be unique. Be bold. 

This isn’t your 5 minute warning. This is your 5 second warning. 

5….4…..3…..2…..1. GO.