The Moment I Rediscovered My Talent Acquisition Voice: #SourceCon 2023

It was September 22nd, 2023. A moment I will not forget. 4 years in the making. One of those times where I was not only speaking from the heart, but where when it was all said and done I couldn't remember everything I'd said.

So, when my ERE PRO subscription finally arrived I listened to what I had said at #SourceCon Minneapolis and realized it may have been a defining moment.

There are some moments in our careers where everything comes full circle. Our humanity shows, our message is crystal clear, and somehow we delivered a presentation that not only made sense, but it was a time that may forever change my perspective.

I used data to tell a story about what had happened from 2020 until 2023. I was conveying strategy to overcome objections and obstacles in a proactive way, which is in the end how impactful talent acquisition becomes the "Tip of the Spear" as I called it.

This moment in this picture was the moment where a flood of emotion was driving my Talent Acquisition voice, it was clear, it was conveyed with true intent to go the distance & "imposter syndrome" was completely gone.

I spoke about Neo from the Matrix as a metaphor for what we have to do in this modern, tough, challenging time and world. "Free Your Mind". Yes, this is an era of so many challenging Macro level instances that to become free, and to go forward may just require a "step back" from the precipice of self doubt and into a place of true opportunity and optimism. Talent Acquisition's days aren't numbered, they aren't over, they are actually in a place of reinvention.

It dawned on me as I listened to the replay that I had achieved the "Ted Talk" style I was hoping for, and the motivational "pep talk" that was part of the defining moment for me. Perhaps I was giving something that had been building within me for a while. Perhaps I was facing something that I'd pondered and taken in.

But in this moment in this photo I was speaking about Mom, and the human effect her death had on me. Behind the scenes I was nervous, anticipating that I had something in front of me that would FOREVER change who I am, and have been. A few weeks later I was on the HireEz Recruiter "Therapy" event put on by Shannon Pritchett and Steve Levy. I shared on that day that I am "Neurodiverse". I let it out that I have Generalized Anxiety and the battle of my life has been to overcome this "Imposter Syndrome" that has existed since I was young.

In the moment I was speaking about becoming "the one" for your recruiting team, or for your candidates, or for your hiring managers, I was speaking about myself. The best presentations are given with passion and delivered with a personal flow. In this moment it was like a butterfly was released from the cocoon of years of change, issues beyond our control, and challenges that were real and personal.

2022 - the death of Mom was real, emotional and released a tide of human emotions I couldn't deny were there. As a human being I let my guard down during this presentation and became a better human in that moment where I was sharing information and teaching and finding my TA voice again it was clear this moment was sharing on a larger personal scale.

I had practical information tied in with the personal. And it was as if my Mom's spirit was there with me in that moment. On stage at a major conference, with no idea how many people may watch when all is said and done. All I know is, is that it was a sweet experience and full circle.

In October I am on the cusp of doing amazing things. I've been striving, pushing, grinding, and moving forward on a scale that is bigger than myself. I don't know where these next few months into 2024 may lead. I see the challenges of humanity around me, but inwardly must find some level of peace to keep moving forward. It's not an easy thing to see challenges that quite frankly add to the complexity of getting people hired in this era of uncertainty.

It reminds me we MUST keep reinventing and keep moving forward, even when all the circumstances are like mountains in front of you. Each day we keep and stay committed is a moment to celebrate. The tough times and the hard times are the defining moments that make us who we will become.

The human condition is remarkable. And to continue to give back for no other reason than to help others means you have transcended the selfishness that pervades society. At some point there comes a time where you have to go all in to create maximum results and that place is uncomfortable, challenging and means that all roads eventually lead you to your best self.

I've pondered this reality that challenging circumstances are a reality of being in the trenches of Talent Acquisition. Some searches are going to be difficult, the chips will be down, you'll be ghosted, your reality and desire to continue will be challenged. But take a step back from all of this and realize that in THOSE moments are opportunities unlike anything.

I have a feeling that life is going to open doors in 2024 for me. I have to keep believing in the bigger picture and that my road is leading to the "next big event". Somewhere in all of this, I have discovered for myself that I need to keep believing in what's possible because the moment I succumb to challenges OR lose the positivity that has defined my existence then I will lose my focus and my effectiveness.

I'm grateful to have had an opportunity to find my Talent Acquisition voice again. I realize that my commitment to excellence is a key factor when it comes to life in general OR when challenges keep arising that are beyond my control. Life is worth living and you may have to reinvent yourself to surge past the obstacles.

I exist and know that something still big is on the horizon from the standout of a breakout. I pray it finds me when I am in the trenches digging, grinding, pushing and driving for all the right reasons. When I'm stuck on a project or in some kind of a place of stoppage well that's when it comes. The need to "keep moving" forward. You have to dig deep sometimes when the road is challenging. And you also have to recognize the moments when life is giving you a sign to take some time for self care.

Today, I feel that September was a special month for me. It renewed my perspective and reignited my Recruiting purpose. And even in the moments where I am hoping challenges turn to gold I believe that at some point the sun will shine on a banner season in my career. IN some ways 2023 HAS been THAT year. But I have to remind myself that speaking on stage at a major Recruiting Conference is one of those things that Mom would be extremely proud of, and going back and listening to how I presented on my topic I'm completely proud of the outcome and end result.

I don't know where this journey of mine is going to wind up, but I DO know I have a purpose that is larger than just a "day job". Recruiting is in my blood, and sometimes you just need a reminder why you started in the first place. The next iteration is to keep being disciplined, not forget my goals, and be content driven, and values driven.

The defining moment of this year brings me full circle again. And so be it, Recruiting is changing right in front of me. It doesn't matter what challenges I'm facing so long as I love what I do. And sometimes seeing your recruiting challenge from another angle is exactly what is needed to overcome in these daunting talent times.

Keep chipping away at whatever worthwhile goal you have in mind, for eventually you will reach it. So on a stage in Minneapolis Minnesota I found my Talent Acquisition voice again and may have delivered one of my BEST presentations at the right moment. It sure felt like it.

I'm grateful for opportunities like that one. I hope to continue to excel, succeed, and drive talent outcomes that matter. Even in moments where you have several tough recruitments all in a row and you know you are close to something epic. You have to stay the course. You have to keep going, and then sometimes right at that moment where you are feeling that overwhelming reality of our modern talent times you suddenly have a moment where you nod and say "I still got this".