Lisa Rosendahl

A Step in the Right Direction

Lisa Rosendahl — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:47 +0000

I have a new friend and I am on mission. My new friend is a Physical Therapist and my mission is to transform my gait.

Yes, I have to change the way I run. You see, my feet sort of cross in front of each other when I run. And yes, that's a problem. Mr. PT says it's not the reason I can't roller blade but it is the very reason my knees are achy. I'm not so sure about this NOT negatively impacting my roller blading inabilities but I'll buy that it's taking a toll on my knees.

How does one change the way they've been moving for 30 (ahem) plus plus years? Mr. PT had a few suggestions: I could have someone run behind me and yell at me whenever my feet cross over the mid line or I could lay a cord about ankle high across the backyard, run along it and have it trip me up if my feet cross over it. Not funny. So, we talked some more and at the end of the session, I bought new running shoes and opted for treadmill work.

This morning, the change began. I went to the gym and hopped on the treadmill. I slowed it down a few points, scaled back on the time and concentrated on how I was running. It felt a bit odd but, before long, I was able to feel the difference between the old and the new. Day 1 was a success.

I am in the midst of change, literally, one step at at time. On the treadmill I am changing the way I run. Off the treadmill, I feel another change coming. I am in a funny place right now and I can't quite get my head around it - yet - but I am in the inquiry. Inquiry can be a messy place for me, yet this "mess" always bring insight and change. And, I am taking this one step at a time.

One step at a time. Is there really any other way to make a change? No matter how big or how small of a change you have in mind, it always starts with the first step headed in the right direction.

So, where are you headed today?

If you are in St. Cloud on November 21, head on over to the Jingle Bell 5K and join me. I'll be the one watching her feet as she runs!

Photocredit iStockphoto

HR Carnival - HRevolution Edition

Lisa Rosendahl — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:06:00 +0000

The HR Carnival - HRevolution Edition is posted over at Trish McFarlane's place, the HR Ringleader's Blog.

I love the headiness of events and conversations like HRevolution. By the looks of the writing, the thoughts and the ideas in the carnival posts I am not alone. Want to meet some smart people with great ideas, varying perspectives, differing opinions - and a little bit of humor?

Click on over to the carnival, you will not be disappointed.

If you are inspired to continue to conversation, share your thoughts in the next HR Carnival. Mike VanDervort will be our generous host for the November 25th Carnival and he has something amazing planned! Not only is he trying to get 100 bloggers from around the world to participate, it's all for charity! So when you send in your blog post link to Michael.VanDervort@gmail.com, please be sure to include a link to a charity you would like to see supported as Mike is personally donating $1 for every blog post he receives to one of the charities selected.

When I'm Done

Lisa Rosendahl — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:45 +0000

I am not content to have the job no one else would want.

When I'm done, I will have a role others wish they had.

Photocredit iStockphoto

HR Carnival - 25 Pieces of HR Awesomeness

Lisa Rosendahl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:17:16 +0000

Ok, I'm loving the new logo. How about you?!

This rendition of the Carnival is hosted by Ben Eubanks, on his blog, Upstart HR. Well, along with the new logo comes 25 pieces of HR Awesomeness - and a challenge. I've known Ben for almost a year now and had the opportunity to meet him last weekend at HRevolution. He is a ball of fire, a barrel of ideas, and a commited contributor to and supporter of the HR Community. So, the idea of him throwing out a challenge is not at all unexpected.

What's the challenge? Ben is challenging you to pick your favorite article, print it out, and hand deliver it to someone who could benefit from the information. With 25 great posts to select from, this will be a very easy thing to do. Or will it?

Read, pick and share away. Oh, yes. Enjoy!

To Our Veterans

Lisa Rosendahl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:21:02 +0000

To our Veterans and your families:

Thank you for your service, your dedication and your sacrifice.

Our nation honors you today.

Veterans Day 2009

Would you like to reach out to a Veteran? You can share a personal story, say thank you yourself or just read some of the amazing tokens of gratitude through 11/15 on a site dedicated to acknowledging our Veterans. The folks at MeritBuilder will share the stories, thoughts and thanks with members of the military both here and abroad.

Thank a veteran today.

HRevolution and the Wonder That is Social Media

Lisa Rosendahl — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:59:22 +0000

This weekend, I had the honor of meeting 50 friends - for the very first time. Other than HR_Minion, there were 49 other people I had never met before, yet it was like we had known each other for a long time. And in a very real way, we had. From the minute I walked into the hotel on Friday and saw Steve Boese and Joan Ginsberg in the lobby, my Twitter stream starting coming to life.

Many of you get what I am saying - you've experienced it and you know it to be true. Others are shaking your heads. For you I say, stop trying to rationalize it, minimize it or explain it away. Accept it. Embrace it. Seek it out. What is it? It is the wonder that is social media.

Social media connects people and 50 social media connected people converged on Louisville, Kentucky for HRevolution, the unconference about the future of HR. Who are the fabulous 50? Jessica Miller-Merrill developed this HRevolution Twitter List, check it out! What do we do? We manage HR departments, teams and functions. We own businesses, consult and write. We source, recruit, and retain. We are on-line, off-line and in print.

The conference discussions were thought provoking and hum of the room was unmistakable. We were in motion, unsettled and inspired. The air was charged with possibility and passion and we are changing the way we do business. Couldn't make it to the conference? Well, HR Happy Hour is bringing it to you with HR Happy Hour, Episode 18, Live From HRevolution.

Now that the conference is over, that challenge is to continue the conversation in our companies and communities. In my little corner of the world I am going to start by joining Recruiting Blogs, talk or meet with someone new from HRevolution, Twitter, or a blog commenter each week, and SEO optimize my website with the assistance of some yet to be identified SEO savvy person. My kid is my passion and there is a kid-writing-blogging-social media thing for me to do with her that I haven't quite figured out yet so I'll ponder that some.

But first, I unpack and rest up. What are you going to do to change the world today?

Leaders, Who Are You?

Lisa Rosendahl — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:51 +0000

Leaders, who are you?

Who are you, not as a leader but as a person? Where are you in your life, what do you value and how does this impact or inform your leadership? It's not a question of "if" this impacts or informs your leadership, it is a question of "how." Really, it is.

In her post, Be Who You Are, writer Becky Robinson shares her life today and her three beautiful daughters and writes, "As I write about leadership, I bring all of who I am." She writes, "discovering and defining who we are includes understanding and accepting our unique life circumstances, values, preferences, and limitations" and asks, "who are you?"

I am Lisa. Lisa Anne to be exact although my friends call me Lisa Marie. My Twitter bio says I am a wife, mother and HR professional. I have an amazing husband and the absolute-without-a-doubt-twinkle-in-my-eye-smile-on-my-lips-and-pride-in-my-voice is my daughter. I choose to work in HR, but that's not really who I am. It's just my job.

A good friend commented the other day that she felt outside my "inner circle." I laughed. I don't have an inner circle. I have triangles: me, the husband and the kid; work, school and exercise; cooking (ok, take out), cleaning and homework.

I traveled a bunch back in the day and stick close to home now, am not aiming for the coveted "top" of any one's organization or list, am defining success my way (definition still in progress), and will stop in my tracks for bagels, tiramisu, and bear claws. I work too much, don't exercise enough and haven't read a book in months. Some days it's sorta pitiful but in the big picture, it's all good.

Oh, and I envy the extrovert. I am an introvert. If there was ever any doubt in my mind (and there wasn't), reading Introverted Leaders: Gifts and Cautions by Mary Jo Asmus, reconfirmed it for me, gifts aside, when she wrote this caution about how introverted leaders. . .

Can become stressed when they don’t pay attention to their need for time alone: Pay attention to the physical symptoms that indicate that you are draining your energy and not recharging your batteries. Finding strategies that help you to maintain this balance are important to avoid stress-induced illness. For many introverts, actually scheduling solitary activities or hobbies into their calendar may be helpful.

That about says it all. It's me, it's part of who I am and it's what I bring to the table. No matter how much I wish I was different, I am not. I am the way that I am for good reasons and the reasons continue to show themselves in different ways. Be it a thank you from an unexpected source, inner strength to make (and communicate) a tough decision - compassionately, or a cry for confidence from my little girl - the reasons are there.

So, can you really capture the sum of a person in a few words? Not really, but this is a bit about who I am and what I bring to my family, my friends and my leadership. Who are you?

Photocredit iStockphoto

Leadership Development Carnival

Lisa Rosendahl — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Ghost and ghouls tucked safely away until next year, we can begin looking to November happenings.

Right around the corner is Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the countdown to Christmas - do you believe it? Well, believe this - the November Leadership Development Carnival is up and you won't have to look far - I will take you there. Who is the host? Well, none other than Dan McCarthy.

Dan is hosting this month's Leadership Carnival at Great Leadership. And what a host he is! Dan says, "There's no bottom of the treat bag dum-dums in this edition - nothing but full-size snicker bars." And he has that right! From role models and team leaders to costumes and personality, this carnival delivers.

"So grab your candy bag and get ready to fill it up with some sweet advice, opinions, and ideas from some of your favorite leadership bloggers."

Next month's Carnival will be December 6 , 2009, hosted by Mark Stelzner, at Inflexion Point. Use the Carnival Submission Form to submit your post.

On NOT Making a Decision

Lisa Rosendahl — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:45 +0000

Leaders make decisions.

Knowing how to make a decision is a key leadership trait. More important than making a decision however, is knowing when NOT to make a decision.

Tired, overwhelmed, underwhelmed, reactive, or on the defense? Feeling let down, put down, or simply down and out? Want to make a point, create some noise or grab the control you feel like you have lost? Feeling the pressure to make it quickly, yet your inner voice is telling you to wait?

Listen to your inner voice. Take 5 (or 24), tend to yourself and don't make that decision until morning.

Photo Credit iStockPhoto

Talent, Power Rankings and a Frightful Read

Lisa Rosendahl — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:35 +0000

What a week!

I started the week at the Talent Management Summit in Chicago learning from others who have their spot light on talent retention. From focusing on performance management systems and talent reviews to high potential discussions (you do have them don't you?!), the presenters shared their positive experiences and lessons learned. I met twitter and blog friends Charee Klimek, Sharlyn Lauby, Jason Seiden and Michelle Cardinal in real life - and I met two new Twitter friends, Ann Farrell and Keri Fagel. I met a bunch of others and have their business cards to prove it. Note to self: bring cards next time!

If you haven't heard, our friends at Fistful of Talent and HR Capitalist, published their October Talent Management Blog Power Rankings. I am thrilled to be included on the list and love the company I am in. The HR/Talent Management community is into some amazing things. Simply amazing! The power blog rankings is an labor of love for the community and if you haven't been over to Fistful of Talent or the HR Capitalist, click over. Stay a while, check out their sites - it's all good.

Belly up to the Halloween Bar with the hrbartender with the Halloween Spirits Version of the HR Carnival. This carnival is loaded with great writing and new ideas, served up with a host of drink choices to soothe your soul. Not frightful at all, the blogging goblins brought their "A" game (lots of treats, no tricks) to this one. Grab a beverage of choice, sit back and enjoy, you won't be disappointed.

Before I go, I wanted to send a public, "HEY YEAH" to my friend, HR Maven, for her presentation to 800 MBA students in South Carolina on using technology in the job search. The moment was put there just for her. You go girl!

So, with that, I'm heading to work today to see what the rest of the week holds for me, hanging with the family over the weekend and getting ready for HRevolution next weekend.

Have a good one all.

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My Heart for Yours - One Year Later

Lisa Rosendahl — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:35 +0000

My husband had heart surgery one year ago today.

He has had an amazing recovery with his capstone achievement last month - completing his first in-line skating marathon, the Northshore Inline Skate Marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth. It follows the Grandma's Marathon route. He finished it in 1:48 with an average speed of 15 MPH. His goal was to beat 2 hours - goal met!

Below is what I posted last year:

My husband had open heart surgery this week. He had a valve and part of his aorta replaced. A congenital defect discovered in an otherwise healthy man. A big deal, a very big deal.

All turned out well and he is coming home today - 4 days post-op. Amazing how quickly the body can recover from such trauma. Unbelievable what a great surgeon can do. Gratifying what support a solid health care organization to provide to the family.

Amazing then. Still amazing now.

Talent Management - It's About the People

Lisa Rosendahl — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:53 +0000

Talent management is, at it's simplest, anticipating the needs for talent (hard to fill positions or those crucial to the organization) and setting out a plan to meet those needs. Managing talent is crucial to maintain innovation and productivity.Talent management is one of the toughest challenges leaders face - and it's made even tougher in today's uncertain environment.

Corporations, large and small, have eliminated thousands of positions. Each of us has either more than likely been in an organization that eliminated positions, know someone how has lost a position or thinks this may still happen to them, a friend, or a family member.

Talent management - it's all about people. It's all about THE people and having people in your organization that feel valued, amongst all else, is the heart of retention strategies.

I am moderating a panel on "Setting the Organizational Pace through Employee Engagement" at the 12th Annual Talent Management Summit today. I have a wonderful panel and we are going to offer the audience a glimpse inside their organizations. We'll discuss the business issues they are facing, what they are doing to inspire confidence in their organization's leadership, and how they are inspiring employees in this down economy. Because these are businesses after all, we'll also talk about the tools they are developing or using to drive productivity.

You have to know, my biggest fear is running out of questions. I opened the floor for talent management questions here and on Twitter. I'd like to thanks Steve Boese and Chris Ponder for their questions.

I am psyched! Not just about my panel but get this, after my panel, I get to sit on a panel moderated by the HR Bartender herself and watch Jason Seiden in action the next day!

So, turn your cell phones off, keep the back channel positive and wish me luck!

Social Media and HR

Lisa Rosendahl — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:51 +0000

Social media is in HR. We live in a connected world and with the click of a button or stroke of a key, social media allows us as HR Professionals to connect with others both in and out of HR.

When I talk with others about social media, the responses range from blank stares to reluctance to energy. As a group, HR professionals are reluctant to embrace what technology offers and as Jennifer McClure discusses in her interview, I can understand the hesitation. I am (was) one of the HR professional she references. You know, the nose to the grindstone type who focuses one the tasks at hand and can't imagine having the time to do anything else.

I couldn't imagine having the time, but I made it. I made the time to start using social media for my professional development. Why? Kimberly Moritz, Superintendent of Schools, says it so well in her post Blogging as Professional Growth:

Here’s the amazing thing about blogging for me. When I go home to my family or talk to friends, no one really wants to talk about education, or my ideas, or drop out prevention, or student achievement. My standard response to “how was your day?” is “great” and that’s about it. But I still have my students, school and it’s challenges swirling around in my head a substantial percentage of the time. So now I find blogging and it’s an instant connection to others who are interested in the same thing.

My primary responsibility at work is to solve problems. Some small, some big. And I don’t have all of the answers. Some days I wonder if I have any of the answers. But I now have a place to post the questions and amazingly, answers come back to me. Thoughtful, helpful answers. How great is that?

While it is not always easy, it is always worth it. Like Kim, the people my network inspire my thinking, provide me with new ideas and are often my source of news and happenings. You will meet HR professionals in different sectors, business, and time zones. You will meet HR students, HR people just out of school, well established in their careers and anywhere in between. You'll have opportunities to connect with members and presidents of state and local SHRM chapters as well as leaders in SHRM itself.

I am using social media to network outside of the workplace. I've had this blog for 3 years and have been on LinkedIn about as long. Twitter and Facebook have been part of my network for just about a year and most recently, I entered into a joint venture (blog) with my daughter a few months ago.

It's been a progression over time for me and at times, it does feel overwhelming. And I know that I am not alone. If you are hesitant, know that you are not alone.

Many are feeling overwhelmed by what's happening, the pace of change, and the fears about transparency. In most cases you don't need to be and shouldn't be everywhere. And, you may even decide to be nowhere, but make sure that's a conscious decision and not just resistance to inevitable change. Susan Burns on ERE.net

Social media is here to stay. Jump in and join the conversation. It's time.

So here's the deal. I am going to paraphrase this post for my panel introduction. If you read this before you hear me speak - let me know how I did!

The HR in the Social Business Carnival

Lisa Rosendahl — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:11:47 +0000

The HR in the Social Business Carnival is hosted by Jon Ingham at Social Advantage.

This carnival is absolutely amazing! Leadership, strategy, measurement, reward and engagement, people and more. This is an awesome round up of ideas, perspectives and some very great writing. There are many new writers for me this time around and I am thrilled!

If you haven't been there yet, pop over and be sure you have some time to sit and click. You won't want to miss any of it!

The next Carnival of HR will be on Oct. 28th and hosted over at HR Bartender. Liking what you see and want to be a host yourself or be added to an email reminder list? Easy. Just drop Shauna a note at hrminion@gmail.com and she will take care of you.

Social Media Dot VHA

Lisa Rosendahl — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:05:18 +0000

I need your help! Check out the email I received yesterday. This is a first step and definitely a step in the right direction for Federal HR (insert happy dance here!).

Who would have thought the Government could be cool? The method: social media. Because that is where an important target audience congregates. Check this out: Facebook boasts more than 250 million active users, while 88 percent of Twitter users are 34 years old or younger. And all of them may be interested in a career or a career change. Do these sound like channels you'd like to share with your prospects?

Now you can. VA Careers has established a presence on both Facebook and Twitter. Our Facebook page features videos, links, advertisements, and the ability to have a digital conversation with those people we most want to talk to – the potential VA prospect. And our Twitter presence allows us to instantly update our followers.

The second step? Granting social media access to HR offices. Most specifically, my office, because it is all about me - isn't it?! And here is where I need your help.

What is the one BEST post, article, comment, reason or thought you can think of - off the top of your head - that supports the need for HR to have workplace access to social media?