In his book, The One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard shares that “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” Many of us in HR are familiar with that quote or have studied the concept of feedback before. We recognize that feedback is valuable and often encourage our team members, leaders, and managers to provide more consistent feedback. Feedback, however, can feel like a double-edged sword.

Sheila Heen and Douglas Stone explain in their book, Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well that feedback is rooted in two fundamental human needs – our need to get better and our need to feel accepted, respected, and loved. When I think about feedback as a concept, it makes perfect sense. I grasp the knowledge and I am confident I have improved over the years in my ability to apply the best practices of providing feedback to others. Where I struggle (and I suspect I am not alone) is in receiving feedback.

In thinking about the types of feedback, the positive, appreciative feedback feels good. The feedback that feels more critical or uncomfortable is the coaching or evaluation kind. This is especially true for me when I have worked hard on a task or project only to learn that I did not meet the expectations of others. Even though I asked for their thoughts, it hurts to know my time and efforts did not hit the mark.

Learning that what I thought I did well, from someone else’s point of view, was considered “less than” and quickly stirs a myriad of emotions. I can experience self-doubt, frustration, anger, hurt, shame, disappointment, annoyance, and sadness (to name a few). It can take me several days to process what I have heard and learn from the experience. While I often have found that at a future point, the feedback has resulted in my growth or improvement, the process continues to be challenging.

I share all of this as some of the comments we received on the Spring Conference survey were more of the coaching or evaluation kind. I know how hard and tirelessly our volunteers worked to assemble a day they felt would be meaningful and valuable for attendees. I know how much effort our presenters put into their talks to try to meet the varying needs of the audience. I also know when you run events, things happen that are out of your control or are unexpected.

Through my personal development journey, I have learned that regardless of the type of feedback, who delivers it, or the forum in which it is shared, there is always a takeaway which will help me grow. That knowledge has evolved into an appreciation as I have recognized that feedback comes from a place of caring. So, in that vein I want to say thank you to everyone who cares about the success of LSHRM. By sharing your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions we will be able to continue to amplify what we do well and enhance our opportunities for growth and continuously enrich our programs and offerings.

Thank you to our volunteers and presenters for your commitment to our members and dedication to adding value to others. I believe in the people who comprise our organization and with your feedback I am confident we will continuously evolve and grow to meet the needs of HR professionals in Lancaster County.

With sincere gratitude;

Jen

LSHRM President 2023

Happy Spring!! Even though we did not have a snowy winter, I am still excited by the change of season. I love the longer, warmer days and the flowers which are beginning to bloom. I find I have an extra spring in my step and a bigger smile on my face at this time of year. Sometimes change is a positive event!

Speaking of positive events, I am so excited for one of our most popular events of the year, the annual Spring Conference on April 14th! This is the event you don’t want to miss! We have an all-star lineup of speakers and thought leaders ready to share insight, wisdom, and motivation on a variety of fascinating topics. Vanessa Philbert will kick us off with an engaging presentation about identifying the circumstances, factors, and experiences that shape who we are and the life lessons we may have missed. Greg Orth will lead a thought-provoking discussion about identifying our self-limiting beliefs and how to shift those beliefs so we can get out of our own way.

After a wonderful lunch, we will hear from Karen Snyder as she shares an energizing, new perspective on passion, career, and the power of connectivity. Then we are lucky enough to have the dynamic duo of Janet McNally and Leslie Wireback to provide an interactive session focusing on the countless opportunities and possibilities within the field of Human Resources. Finally, we will finish strong with Holly White who will help us assemble our own personal advisory board to take our individual journeys from surviving to thriving!

How can you not be excited by all of that?! Sometimes, it can be easy to take for granted all of the incredibly talented professionals in our community who are willing to commit their time and efforts to enhancing the HR community in Lancaster County. I am so proud of the programming LSHRM has to offer.

I want to share a big and heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our Board members, Committee members, and volunteers. Your work is truly outstanding! I am sincerely grateful to work alongside our team of committed and dedicated volunteers.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you in 2 weeks and until then, I hope everyone has time to go outside and enjoy the sunshine!

All my best,

Jen Strobel

LSHRM President 2023

Every month, there are countless month-long celebrations, dedicated days, and special weeks designed to bring awareness and support to meaningful causes, and critical issues, and some observances are just for fun (think National Pig Day or National Dance the Waltz Day).

As much fun as it is to celebrate pigs and waltzing, I would like to highlight two of the larger issues the month of March recognizes – women’s history and disabilities. In the HR profession, these are issues that are directly connected to many of our DEI efforts. By bringing attention to women’s history and the broad variety of disabilities which can impact virtually anyone’s life, we have an opportunity for discussion, engagement, education, awareness, and action related to critical societal issues.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Lancaster Chamber’s State of the County event and I was inspired by the words of Vanessa Philbert, the CEO of Community Action Plan. She reminded us that DEI is about creating a space to allow for curious and courageous conversations, and to provide the opportunity to make meaningful changes, big or small. Vanessa shared her own story of awareness and taking action when she recently recognized her office building did not offer push button or handicap power assist door openers. While she is working to change that, it was her honesty and humility that really struck me. Vanessa openly shared a flaw in her own environment and the need to solve the problem as swiftly as possible. This to me, is leadership in action.

The journey to inclusion is hard. It is a continuous improvement process without a finish line. We all have things in our own organizations that we can do better. Being mindful and evaluating everyday activities from a new perspective can be enlightening. Being humble and willing to change can be a difference maker. I am so excited to hear Vanessa speak at our Spring Conference on Friday, April 14th. I hope you will be there with me to soak up her words of wisdom!

I also hope you will join me on Tuesday, March 14th as we hear from the highly popular and engaging speaking team of Eric Athey and Micah Saul. They will be sharing critical updates from the legal landscape that HR professionals need to know to prepare and protect themselves and their organizations. This event is worth the price of admission, I assure you! I look forward to seeing you there!

As our mild winter comes to a close, I hope the Spring brings renewed energy to you, your families, and your organization. Come say hi to me anytime! I love meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends!

All my best,

Jen Strobel

LSHRM President 2023 

Change is hard, even when it is something you want. Whether making a change for yourself, your family, your workplace, your environment, your community, or the greater good, change will be challenging.

As I write this letter and think about the changes the LSHRM organization has been through in the past year, I am encouraged by the positive response we have received from our membership for the new location. I am appreciative of the collaboration with our new partner, the PA College of Health Sciences. And I am grateful for the support of our new and seasoned board and committee members as I have simultaneously transitioned into my new role within LSHRM and joined a new organization, RKL Virtual Management Solutions.

Reflecting further on the topic of change I think about others who have battled change before me and my adaptations feel minor and insignificant. As we turned the calendar to February I was reminded of the change led by Carter G. Woodson. As you may know, Woodson was a scholar of the early 1900’s who believed the contributions of Black Americans were overlooked, ignored, and suppressed by the writers of history. Thanks to Woodson’s efforts in 1926 the second week of February was designated as Negro History Week to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, Woodson’s concept was expanded into Black History Month.

It is the people like Carter Woodson throughout history, who have had the courage to introduce change and see it to fruition that truly make a difference in our world. As HR professionals we have a similar opportunity (even if it is on a smaller scale) to make the world which we impact a little bit better every day. While we may not become a Carter Woodson or have our name recognized in history, we can be positive change agents within our own workplaces and communities.

To do so, I encourage you to take advantage of the multitude of educational opportunities we offer throughout the year at LSHRM beginning with our next event. On Valentine’s Day,

February 14th, Juliane Flood and Jill Hackman will discuss work-based learning. Regardless of the economic environment, it does not appear that the employment market will be shifting anytime soon, which means HR needs to continue to lead the charge and think differently. Tapping into talent from a strategic and uncommon perspective can be a difference-maker for an employer. I hope you will join us on the 14th to learn more about work-based learning as an educational and talent-driven strategy.

In March, we will have our Spring Legal Update with Eric Athey and Micah Saul of McNees, Wallace, & Nurick, LLC. And in April, we have our Spring Conference with our keynote speaker, Vanessa Philbert, CEO at the Community Action Partnership. There are so many more amazing events coming up throughout the year. I encourage you to visit our website www.lancastershrm.org to check out what else is on tap and register. I assure you these are events you do not want to miss!

I wish you continued strength and courage as you navigate whatever change is happening in your world. Remember LSHRM is here to support you. Thank you for your membership and continued dedication to elevating and advancing human resources in Lancaster County. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely and With Gratitude,

Jen Strobel

LSHRM President 2023

Welcome to Lancaster SHRM and 2023! It is my honor and privilege to serve as your President for 2023. I look forward to personally connecting with each of you throughout the upcoming year.   

Whether you are a new member or a returning member we value your willingness and desire to personally grow, develop, connect, and enhance the HR community! Through your membership and participation, you are demonstrating a commitment to yourself, your organization, and your profession which is admirable and greatly appreciated. 

As I look forward to 2023 and LSHRM’s commitment to advancing human resources, there are many new, insightful, and engaging programs, speakers, and topics to be shared this year. Trends indicate that 2023 will continue to require the leadership of the HR community to improve the quality of employees’ work and lives through leadership, management, innovation, collaboration, and empathy. Whether you will be addressing burnout, perfecting hybrid work, improving technology, managing change, or enhancing employee experience and retention, we will be here to provide valuable content to help you be successful. 

We hope you will join us on Tuesday, January 10th at the PA College of Health Sciences as we welcome Janel Cross of Align Wealth Strategies. Janel will discuss how to support employees while navigating talent shortages through financial acumen and alternative solutions. We are certainly looking forward to hearing Janel’s insight! 

Thank you for your support as we continue to enhance and advance the HR community of Lancaster County! 

Sincerely, 

Jen Strobel 

LSHRM President