By Dr. Teresa Peterson
This week, I had the opportunity to present at the SHRM Talent Conference in Nashville, where thousands of HR professionals and talent leaders came together to explore all things talent—development, acquisition, retention, and all things in between. The event was full of energizing conversations, meaningful insights, and fresh perspectives that I’m still chewing on. Here are the three I’m thinking most about today:
– Culture Comes from the Top
One of the most resonant takeaways came from SHRM President Johnny C. Taylor’s welcome comments. He said, “Leaders need to articulate their culture.” This is most important for executives and senior leaders. When the leadership is clear and intentional about the culture—what is celebrated and what is tolerated—all will benefit.
– Understanding Generational Differences Requires Empathy
The opening presentation was a standout from Kim Lear on Generational Dynamics. She was incredibly thoughtful in offering an insightful and empathy-building approach to generational diversity in the workplace. Instead of stereotyping or othering people from different generations, she encouraged us to explore the lived experiences that shape each generation—and to seek understanding over judgment of those differences.
– The Demand for Better Organizational Learning is High
In my own session, one message came through from the attendees loud and clear: Organizations and team members alike are hungry for high-quality, frequent, and engaging professional learning. There’s a growing expectation for development to be more dynamic and robust, to occur regularly, to fit immediately into daily practice, and to be differentiated to better meet team and individual needs.
Want More?
Read: A Sarah’s Eye View: The Top 5 Reasons I Love Speaking at SHRM
Listen: A Conversation on Learning with Dr. Teresa Peterson
Dr. Teresa Peterson
Dr. Teresa Peterson is the Director of Learning and Development for Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. In her daily work, she serves as Sarah’s key content collaborator. Teresa enjoys facilitating, researching, and is passionate about applying best practices for learning to make our experiences meaningful, engaging, and accessible for all types of learners. Teresa holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and brings over twenty years of experience teaching, facilitating, and leading to our team. Our clients love Teresa’s grounded energy, depth of thought, and ability to listen deeply.