Day One musings from Workhuman Stay 2025 in Colorado, weighing in on the ability of stay occasions to wake us up and make us love our jobs.
How a lot do I recognize stay conferences? They’re nice alternatives for making and bolstering connection. They’re an excellent option to find out about a complete lot of innovation in a brief period of time. They’re hands-on, people-first — and it’s inspiring to get a primary take a look at the options to HR challenges and meet a few of the individuals accountable. We’re so used to interacting by way of video that we could have forgotten the ability of being at a stay occasion.
However Workhuman Stay 2025 has been an upbeat, participating, FUN reminder. I’ve had a blast right here thus far — absorbing the whole lot from massive concepts to workshops to a welcome meditation break to countless, joyous reconnecting with nice individuals and connecting with new nice individuals. As I wrote in my preview, I used to be wanting ahead to it. Now that I’m right here, it’s even higher.
Earlier than I overlook, I needed to unpack my impressions — as a result of time goes quick sufficient, particularly in HR tech, and conferences generally is a whirlwind. As I write this from Aurora, Colorado, I’m decompressing from Monday and preparing for Tuesday. That is what I’ve skilled thus far, on Day One — and judging from the agenda it’s only the start.
Energized in a Massive Approach
It’s undoubtedly not a stretch to say the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Conference Middle is full of 1000’s of HR and folks administration practitioners, leaders, specialists, and in-the-trenches lovers. Workhuman’s personal estimation of over 4,000 attendees sounds proper. Right this moment (Monday) hasn’t simply been full of individuals although, it’s been a nonstop parade of occasions, moments, workshops, massive thought classes, and extra. And there’s extra to return — together with the powerhouse audio system from Trevor Noah to Adam Grant to Eric Mosley to Vernā Myers.
The overarching theme of the convention: creating an amazing tradition and an incredible human expertise. Constructive positivity and we are able to do it spirit is setting an amazing tone. You understand I really like classes that promise to “Ship Rockstar Worth,” and this morning’s one definitely did — with finest practices and savvy methods on utilizing analytics to make the most effective HR selections. Recognition is getting its due as nicely — as nicely it ought to — with nice insights and information in regards to the connection between recognition and engagement.
Subjects that Matter
Nothing about this has been run of the mill: the shows are enjoyable, dazzling, and sensible. We shifted after lunch to a really useful orientation session — you recognize you’re in for a really busy convention while you’re scrambling to take all of it in simply on the orientation. However nothing has felt hectic, both. The afternoon was full of two actually significant classes that obtained to the center of the matter. Michael C. Bush, CEO of Nice Place to Work, lined recognition — and one enormous nugget of reality that resonated was that leaders have to hear to construct belief. I really like that, and actually the underside line is which you could’t lead for those who don’t hear. Leaders, hear up.
NYTimes bestselling writer Erin Meyer held a robust session on the worth of making a tradition map to deliver international workplaces collectively, and like Michael’s, hers was a giant, chunky session that raced proper by, as my colleagues shared. I’d say each occasion, audiences have been rapt. All over the place I regarded, I noticed smiles, ah-ha moments, heads nodding, laughs. Stay HR occasions deliver out the inspiration in all of us.
One other much-appreciated point of interest right here: DEIB. As a substitute of abandoning DEIB, Workhuman is neatly doubling down, with a really highly effective, very mandatory panel dialogue taking place tomorrow afternoon on find out how to weigh compliance, company accountability, and values — with 4 specialists. This can be a probability to evaluate the robustness of your DEIB applications amid the brand new local weather. At its essence, you’ll need to be ready for what comes subsequent and have actionable methods to face it with.
Constructing in Down (and Up) Time
One among my pet peeves round stay occasions, although, is when there’s no down time. Massive concepts and groundbreaking options require a while to soak up. (Greatest executed in a womb chair, which wins a prize for one of the crucial comfy mini-environments I’ve ever tucked into at a convention.) However in all seriousness, transformation doesn’t occur unconsciously. HR decision-makers want to have the ability to apply the brand new approaches and options, and which will begin as you’re strolling over to the espresso bar. Additional, wellness isn’t only a nice-to-have on the planet of labor. Everyone knows how vital it’s to domesticate and help everybody’s well-being.
Workhuman’s technique isn’t simply to supply alternatives to replicate, it’s providing intentional, structured meditation classes. Discuss a win-win — getting the prospect to mentally refocus meant we have been prepared for extra, together with the night time’s nice leisure, the meals, the enjoyable.
Sending high-fives to Workhuman for being dedicated to nice experiences and offering simply that, and much more so, reminding us what it means. This is a corporation that walks the stroll. Additionally? I extremely suggest leaving the sanctity of your workplace (or distant workspace) and attending to a stay convention. It’s time.
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