A note from Hugh Mann: 2019 is the year of you

A guest post from Hugh Mann, HR Director

Dear Carmen,

Just a quick note from me, your HR director, to remind you that continuing professional development is important. Indeed, Isobel Ching, our CEO – has this as a priority for all of us. As she has set out:

1. In-person matters more than ever.
2. CEOs are not getting the data — or advice — they want.
3. Practicing analytical thinking and complex problem solving is mission critical.

Here are some quick ideas focused on this for the year ahead. It is a mix of conferences – which can help you learn and connect with your peers –  as well as things you can do anytime (podcasts and blogs).

And on the latter note, as learning is best with others, you may also want to encourage others by sharing these:

1) In-person matters more than ever

There are lots of opportunities – these are just a few of them. Be sure to share any interesting ones you come across that are not mentioned below:

#EMENAcomm in Bahrain

I’m going to be at #emenacomm, @iabceme’s first ever event in the Gulf. Join me in Bahrain this Feb for the region’s biggest communications conference. Let’s transform ourselves and the communications function. Know more at https://t.co/981cStkQdt. https://t.co/GH15aXgmDV

— Alex Malouf SCMP Chart.PR (@alex_malouf) November 20, 2018

Later in the spring – in Milan there’s an opportunity to explore agile practice…

We’re very excited to announce the IAF EME Conference 2019 “Agile and Facilitation” will be hosted in Milan, Italy! (2-4 May, 2019)… https://t.co/EAfzUlx7Wq

— IAF Europe & Middle East (@iaf_eme) December 5, 2018

And one of the year’s blockbuster opportunities: #IABC19

If you haven’t seen @CelesteHeadlee‘s TED talk you should. Then book your flight to Vancouver. She is excellent. Listening is so critical to our profession and finding the underlying meaning. We can’t move the conversation forward without it. https://t.co/IXML1PNVk0

— Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP (@GingerHoman) February 4, 2019

2) CEOs are not getting the data or advice they want

First of all, are you too distracted?

This is hard. Jaron Lanier says we should close our social media accounts right now. They’re manipulating us. But I’m telling you this on Twitter. He’s smart. He helped build the Internet. Listen to us on Clear + Vivid and see what you think. https://t.co/cpUH5eCN3D

— Alan Alda (@alanalda) January 8, 2019

Are you clear about your role?

You might want to revisit this brief post on etymology in the boardroom from earlier.

Hwæt!

Old Norse in the boardroom? https://t.co/xQ9Zv1n8Or #etymology #semantics #scenarios .cc @CarmenSpinoza11

— Michael Ambjorn (@michaelambjorn) November 21, 2018

Are you sure you’re really listening

I shared a message from @mikepounsford on why the listening workshop at #EMENAComm should be on your must-attend list. Now here’s a message from @howiejk on why need to be at the Listening Workshop in Bahrain next week. pic.twitter.com/lZspb3BMvp

— Alex Malouf SCMP Chart.PR (@alex_malouf) February 4, 2019

3) Practicing analytical thinking and complex problem solving is more important than ever

Better understanding through slowing down

In this episode of the #FRICTION podcast, @nancykoehn speaks with @work_matters about how transformational leaders slow down and harness their humanity to overcome significant challenges.https://t.co/Wn3muVLbQ6

— Stanford eCorner (@ECorner) January 29, 2019

How to say no – an often overlooked skill in this domain

Analytical thinking is essential – but it can also equal cognitive overload and analysis paralysis. In HR we wish people wouldn’t forget that a skill like this is best maintained through regular, careful practice. I know you enjoyed the menu of how to say no – so I thought this discussion on the same topic might also be of interest.

In @IABCEME’s latest #podcast episode, I speak about how saying no is not a bad thing if you have your priorities and long term goals right: https://t.co/jkAf9z7VPi | #sayyestono #sayingno #brave #marketing #creative #goals #iabc @IABC https://t.co/etWZK4MPm3

— Hanisha Lalwani (@HanishaLalwani) December 9, 2018

Most important: test your ideas with others

And of course: regular sessions of Snakes & Ladders. You could for example come along to the pre-conference session we’re running for #PRSAConnect.

And as a warm-up, don’t forget we have a whole collection of interviews where your peers share what they’ve learnt playing the game.

Good luck in 2019!

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