What makes HR influencers worth following?
Some are veterans. They’ve been doing this HR thing for years – decades, even. Through a great deal of trial and error, they know what works and what doesn’t. They are wise and worth listening to.
Some have their fingers on the pulse. They’re immersed in contemporary HR thought and theory. They know how to make use of all the latest technology, and they can be your guide through these frequently turbulent times.
Then there are the visionaries. They understand what’s happening now, but their focus is on the future. They’re living in 3019. If you want an idea of how HR might work years from now, and you want advice on how to best prepare your business for a change, you need to listen to these guys.
In this post, we’ll list 10 of the best HR influencers to follow on social media and beyond. Most of them fit into one or two of the above boxes. But the very best fit into all three.
Alexander Kjerulf
I'm about to write a new article on happiness at work. What topic would you like me to explore? pic.twitter.com/egbRQYzymA
— Alexander Kjerulf (@alexkjerulf) May 8, 2019
Here on the Edays blog, we spend a lot of time talking about employee wellbeing. Well, here’s someone who appears to be the very embodiment of wellbeing in the workplace. He’s got a reputation as being one of the world’s leading experts on happiness at work.
Alexander Kjerulf is the Chief Happiness Officer of Woohoo Inc. He’s an acclaimed international speaker, and he’s written five books, including the Happy Hour is 9 to 5 and Leading with Happiness.
He shares a lot of posts from his Positive Sharing site. Recent gems include tips for a happy vacation and how to measure happiness at work.
Stacey Ashley
Tough #conversations are a necessary part of being an effective manager and, executed well, they can prove valuable to both the employee and the business. #feedback #difficult #communication #growth #leadership https://t.co/UlF6j5pyBG
— Stacey Ashley (@AshleyCoaching) July 24, 2019
We recently wrote about the various types of company cultures that exist in the world of work.
Stacey Ashley knows a thing or two about company culture. More importantly, she understands what makes for a “good “ company culture – one that’ll lead to happier and more productive employees.
She might be a bit too generous with her hashtags. But the blogs she shares are pure gold. Recent highlights include making empathy central to your company culture, and how being a leader means being human.
Adam Karpiak
Why do People capitalize non-proper Nouns on resumes?
It’s like reading a Resume in Christopher Walken’s Voice.
— Adam Karpiak (@Adam_Karpiak) July 24, 2019
HR is a serious business. Some modern HR challenges, such as mental ill-health in the workplace, are certainly no laughing matter.
Adam Karpiak is worth following because, apart from anything else, he shows the lighter side of HR. His tweets are always insightful. Yet sometimes, they also happen to be very, very funny.
In highlighting the absurdity of certain HR situations, Adam gives insights into what not to do if you want to run a happy and efficient workplace. But look beyond the jokes and you’ll see that this recruiter and “candidate therapist” also has a lot of genuinely good advice to offer.
Teresa Amabile
Grateful to celebrate another birthday. "Who would deduce the dragonfly from the larva, the iris from the bud, the lawyer from the infant? …We are all shape-shifters and magical reinventors. Life is really a plural noun, a caravan of selves." -D, Ackerman
— Teresa Amabile (@TeresaAmabile) June 15, 2019
Teresa Amabile is a professor and director of research at Harvard Business School. She’s written a number of books, including The Progress Principle (about positive company cultures) and Creativity in Context (about how your environment can influence your creativity).
She’s arguably one of the brightest business brains on the planet. Her tweets are a mix of erudite updates from her daily life, and links to the very latest in advanced HR thinking. Just by glancing at her Twitter feed, we’ve learned about how leaders kill meaning at work, and how to manage everyday chaos in the middle market. Brilliant!
Laszlo Bock
This morning CEO @LaszloBock joins @OnPointRadio with Jerry Useem and @erica_volini. How can organizations help their workforces succeed in the future? Tune in now ? https://t.co/4dPyUVTbGB
— Humu (@humuinc) July 10, 2019
We recently wrote about the wonder that is Google’s workplace culture. Their employee wellbeing program is the gold standard. And it was largely the brainchild of Laszlo Bock.
He doesn’t always talk about HR and workplace culture on Twitter. His tweets are frequently political. But when he does touch upon the world of work, he’s always insightful and thought-provoking.
And as you might expect from a former Googler, his focus is on the very cutting-edge of HR theory. For example, he recently started a discussion on the ethics of collecting and using employee data.
Sharalyn Lauby
Building Trust – – It's a Process, Not an Activity – #HR Bartender #business #EmployeeEngagement https://t.co/FkPZsGEV8x pic.twitter.com/giKaLbys0W
— Sharlyn Lauby (@sharlyn_lauby) July 25, 2019
Sharalyn Lauby is the HR Bartender. She publishes useful HR insights at a prodigious rate. Recent nuggets of wisdom include a list of unconventional skills to develop for future professional success, and an in-depth look at what matters when it comes to employee engagement.
So pull up a seat at the bar and get ready to drink up some wisdom!
Bill Treasurer
Have you taken your #leadership too far? Are you a ruler, not a benevolent leader? Remember leadership is not about YOU.
In this @Forbes article I wrote, I give you the signposts that will determine if your ego needs assessing. #management #consulting https://t.co/t0nfCEyquu
— btreasurer@giantleapconsulting.com (@btreasurer) July 24, 2019
If you’re looking for insights into culture, courage, and leadership, Bill’s your man. He’s the Chief Encouragement Officer at Giant Leap Consulting, and describes himself as an “evangelist for courage”.
Bill knows what matters when it comes to success in the workplace, for employers and employees alike. Recent highlights from his feed include a guide to building a safety net to protect yourself from workplace failure, and an exploration of the sort of courage leaders should develop in their employees.
Laurie McCabe
Why Cloud Computing Cyber Security Risks Are On The Rise: Report via @forbes https://t.co/3shrQ1YbDW
— lauriemccabe (@lauriemccabe) July 25, 2019
Laurie McCabe is an IT analyst and the co-founder of the SMB Group. The SMB Group is widely renowned as one of the key thinkers when it comes to technology in the workplace. So if you want insights into the future of HR technology, look to Laurie.
Her updates range from the everyday (Microsoft renames Office Online!) to the more advanced and specialist (Microsoft’s Cloud Gains Fuel Fourth-Quarter Sales!). If you’ve ever felt like the world of workplace technology is moving far too fast, a few minutes on Laurie’s feed will quickly bring you up to speed.
Meghan M. Biro
When the quit rate for women in #technology is twice as high as it is for men, creating an inclusive workplace is a vital consideration. #diversity #womenintech #HR https://t.co/srd1fWDdQa
— Meghan M. Biro ⚡️ (@MeghanMBiro) July 24, 2019
Meghan M. Biro is the CEO of Talent Culture. Like every other HR influencer on this list, she regularly shares fascinating and insightful blogs about the latest in HR theory. Recent updates include tips for managing a diverse workforce and a guide to great employees and “great cultures”.
But another very good reason to follow Meghan: Every Wednesday from 18:30 to 19:00 she hosts the #WorkTrends hangout. This is an opportunity for HR specialists from around the world to come together and share their expertise. Chats are usually focused on a single question and topic, and they’re invariably fascinating.
Jeanne Meister
A smartphone that detects your sadness? A car that knows when you’re tired? Experts in “affective AI” are building emotionally intelligent technology. https://t.co/mrw9vOs32Z
— Jeanne Meister (@jcmeister) July 17, 2019
Finally, if you want expert insights into what the future workplace might look like, you need to follow Jeanne Meister. She’s a partner at The Future Workplace, so it’s fair to say that she knows a thing or two about the future of the working world.
It seems like every single day she has something fascinating and forward-thinking to share. Recent updates include an exploration of the role AI will play in changing the workforce and a look at the importance of natural light to wellbeing and productivity.
Want One More Good HR Influencer Account to Follow?
Our half year sickness absence series continues with a look at the highest days absence so far in 2019.
It might surprise you to know it wasn't 'Blue Monday' but in fact…. Friday 1st February 2019#bluemonday #sickness #absence #sicknessabsence #hr #humanresources pic.twitter.com/zkcv2wOHKR
— Edays (@edayssoftware) July 24, 2019
Katrina is edays' own People Director with significant UK and international experience in delivering people strategy and value-adding HR solutions across a range of organisations and sectors (including Arriva, Boots, Rolls Royce, the utility and charity sectors). Katrina has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and is CIPD qualified.