Three traits keep appearing in articles, conversations, & blog posts so I have to write about them. Not sure of their relationship but I am pondering. In no particular order they are:

Narcissism: Interesting research came out recently about status updates and tagging yourself on social media and the relationship to “socially disruptive” narcissism. It was found in a sample of people that there is a correlation between those with many fb friends who post/tag a lot and high scores on a Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Personally, I like it when people post often because I feel connected to them and know what’s up. I do not consider them narcissists.

Authenticity: I’ve been mulling how it is all the rage. For the last year people have really been talking about authenticity. Advertisers and marketers are focused on this and businesses large or small and individuals want others to perceive them as authentic. A way we share ourselves and establish our authenticity is through social media posts.

Vulnerability: Talking with a group last week when authenticity came up. Someone asked how you can be authentic but not be vulnerable. I could only think to say “what’s wrong with being vulnerable?” because I believe everyone is vulnerable in some way. Reminds me of a Martha Beck quote: “All humans are united, no matter how great our differences, by our fear of looking dorky.”

That’s a funny one but I’m still trying to figure this out. Is narcissism the outer shell protecting the vulnerability inside?

And, is it a problem if you reveal it through your authenticity-establishing but possibly narcissistic social media activity?

Or maybe it’s a continuum:  vulnerability <-> authenticity <-> narcissism.

Help me out here. What do you think?

Time spent over the last ten days at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival inspired and renewed me. For the jazzfest faithful, the event is a spiritual cleansing and creative catalyst.

Music.Is.Powerful.

Are you in a re-invention phase? Or, I guess the better question would be Who’s NOT re-inventing right now? Crazy how change is the constant.

You can harness the inspirational power of music to support and fuel transition. First, stop listening to anything that reminds you of your old situation – what you are leaving behind. Next, start listening to something different. Does not have to be new music, just new to you. Below is a list of great songs about change. Make a change playlist and listen to it a lot.

And, don’t stop thinking about tomorrow…

• A Change Would Do You Good – Sheryl Crow
• Roll the Bones – RUSH
• Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac (especially the version on The Dance featuring the USC marching band)
• I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty
• The Power of Goodbye – Madonna
• Owner of a Lonely Heart – Yes
• Uprising – Muse
• Sing the Changes – The Fireman
• Roll with the Changes – REO Speedwagon
• I Will Not Be Broken – Bonnie Raitt
• Fly One Time – Ben Harper and Relentless7
• Above the Bones – Mishka
• Brand New Day – Sting
• Cool Change – Little River Band
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) – George Harrison
• Dog Days are Over – Florence + Machine
• Changes – David Bowie
• Hold On – Wilson Phillips
• Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal) – Fergie
• Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
• Already Gone – Sugarland
• You Get Knocked Down – Chumbawumba
• Should I Stay or Should I Go? – The Clash

For a wonderful, thought-provoking music-reinvention analogy, check out Christopher Bowe’s recent blog post for HBR.

FInally, please share your favorite songs of change here.

Enjoyed hearing so many pros share their knowledge at LASHRM12. My favorite quote came from Rose Hudson, CEO/President Louisiana Lottery Corporation, who said “can’t just hire employees and tell them ‘go find your happiness elsewhere’ anymore”. What a succinct statement of evolved management thinking!

The conference produced a stream of evidence like this that the management and HR professions are always learning and improving. And we grow because of all the creative info processors and problem solvers who:

• know the foundation
• understand the history
• live the body of knowledge
• scan for best practices &
• constantly think about the future.

Shoot me an e-mail to get the resource list from my Total Rewards presentation. If we’re not connected, find me on linkedin, twitter, fb or let’s schedule time to do coffee.

And thanks exhibitors for the cool stuff, especially to Romulus and Business Health Services for the yoga mat I won in your drawing!

Namaste.

Your thoughts?

My husband has an English degree and my sister is a journalist so I am constantly reminded to use more precise language.

Keeping that in mind and with great respect to all the talented HR researchers and practitioners out there, I must confess that I don’t like the word competencies. It has bothered me from the earliest days I heard it used, starting in the 90s.

To me, competencies suggests competent, adequate or possessing just enough to get by.

The term I prefer is qualities. To me this suggests quality. No explanation needed.

Just sayin…

Your thoughts?

Partnerships and collaboration are the key to the future. Sometimes they are formalized but not always.

Connectedness is more possible than ever because of technology. Learn the tools to start if you don’t already know them: twitter, linkedin, and the 400# gorilla, Facebook.

Unbelievable power is available through your keyboard. Power we can use to solve society’s problems and prosper at the same time.

Connect without regard to race, income, religion, politics or any of that other stuff. The time is now.