HR, work, workplace

A Leader’s Guide: Navigating the 2024 Workplace

Trish Steed
Photo by Gantas Vaiu010diulu0117nas on Pexels.com

Wouldn’t it be great to have a crystal ball? Unfortunately, we don’t and as a leader, we often operate using a mix of known “facts” and truths, data, and a bit of our gut instinct. In the rapidly evolving landscape of 2024, leaders across sectors face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The confluence of technological advancements, environmental concerns, social dynamics, and geopolitical shifts demands a reevaluation of leadership priorities. This article delves into key areas leaders should focus on to navigate this complex terrain effectively.

1. Embracing Technological Innovation and Digital Transformation

As we progress further into the digital age, leaders must prioritize technological innovation and digital transformation. This involves not only implementing cutting-edge technologies but also fostering a culture of digital literacy within their organizations. Leaders should focus on leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things to streamline operations, enhance decision-making processes, and provide better customer experiences.

2. Championing Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

The urgency of addressing climate change has never been more critical. Leaders need to champion sustainability and environmental responsibility in their policies and practices. This includes investing in renewable energy sources, promoting sustainable supply chain practices, and setting ambitious yet achievable goals for reducing carbon footprints. Additionally, leaders must advocate for global cooperation in tackling environmental challenges.

3. Cultivating Inclusive and Diverse Work Environments

Inclusivity and diversity should be at the heart of organizational culture. Leaders must ensure that their teams are diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and background, and that these teams operate in an environment where inclusivity is a norm. This approach not only fosters innovation and creativity but also reflects a commitment to social responsibility and equity.

4. Prioritizing Mental Health and Well-being

The well-being of employees has emerged as a paramount concern, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders must prioritize mental health and overall well-being in their workplaces. Initiatives such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days, and access to wellness programs can contribute significantly to employee satisfaction and productivity.

5. Focusing on Ethical Leadership and Corporate Responsibility

Ethical leadership and corporate responsibility are more important than ever. Leaders should be role models in ethical behavior, ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in all aspects of their operations. This includes responsible handling of data, fair labor practices, and a commitment to social and community engagements.

6. Strengthening Crisis Management and Resilience

The unpredictability of global events, as seen in recent years, necessitates robust crisis management strategies. Leaders must focus on building resilience within their organizations to navigate through uncertainties. This involves having contingency plans, maintaining agile operational capabilities, and fostering a culture of adaptability and resilience.

7. Encouraging Continuous Learning and Development

The pace of change in today’s world requires a commitment to continuous learning and development. Leaders should encourage an environment where continuous upskilling and reskilling are valued. This not only prepares the workforce for future challenges but also ensures the organization remains competitive and innovative.

8. Nurturing Global and Local Community Engagement

Finally, leaders must balance global perspectives with local engagement. This means understanding and acting on global trends while also being deeply rooted in local communities. Leaders should engage in initiatives that benefit local communities, whether through philanthropy, community service, or economic development programs.

The role of a leader in 2024 is multifaceted, requiring a balance of strategic foresight, ethical responsibility, and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and resilient organizations. By focusing on these key areas, leaders can not only steer their organizations towards success but also contribute positively to the broader societal and global good. The leaders of 2024 need to be visionaries, innovators, and, most importantly, responsible stewards of their organizations and the communities they serve.

HR, Life, work, workplace

Celebrating Music as the Universal Language

Trish Steed

Once a year, as the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade unfolds, a tapestry of floats, bands, horses and vocalists weave through the streets. Each float is a vibrant echo of societal values and aspirations and tie directly back to the theme of the year. These themes are not just decorative; they reflect the heartbeat of the community, acting as mirrors to our collective thoughts and feelings.

For as long as I remember, I’ve watched this parade. And since 2012, I’ve written about how the parade theme can influence my approach to the new year. A few of my favorites posts are Inspiring Stories, Just Imagine, Find Your Adventure, and Making a Difference. These all still provide great suggestions on how to start your new year off in the right mindset.

This year’s parade theme is Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language. While there have been other years that focused on music in the theme, I believe this year is different. Adding in language as a component, music becomes the medium in which we find commonality and community with other people.

As I watch the parade move gracefully by, it’s like watching a story of inspiration and motivation unfold. When you think of the countless hours spent on creating each masterpiece, you appreciate the intricacy of each petal, seed and piece of natural material it takes to create a float. The entire process takes a year to complete and many thousands of dollars. Volunteers gift their time and expertise to create art to inspire each of us as we watch and contemplate the year ahead.

Among the blooms and the bands, this year’s theme promotes awareness and action. It’s a gentle yet powerful nudge, pushing all of us toward critical issues such as environmental conservation, peace, or social justice. Music as a universal language helps us realize we need to find news ways to communicate and come together on the big issues in our world. As the parade marches on, it’s a reminder of how traditions can bind us, and celebrations can uplift us.

Lastly, this theme symbolizes the collective goals and dreams of a society. It’s not mere fantasy; it is a manifestation of ideals like harmony, innovation, and exploration. It beckons the community to not just dream but to strive towards realizing these dreams.

Music as a Work Benefit

How can you specifically use the theme of music as a universal language at work? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Enhanced Concentration and Focus: Certain types of music, especially instrumental or classical pieces, can help in enhancing concentration and focus. This is particularly helpful in tasks that require sustained attention or creative thinking.
  2. Stress Reduction: Music has been shown to lower stress levels. Listening to calming music can help employees relax, thereby reducing workplace stress and creating a more pleasant work environment.
  3. Improved Morale and Motivation: Upbeat and energetic music can boost morale and motivation among employees. It can create a positive and dynamic work atmosphere, which can be especially beneficial in team-based tasks.
  4. Cultural Inclusivity and Diversity: Since music is a universal language, it can help in celebrating cultural diversity in the workplace. Sharing music from different cultures can be a way of building understanding and respect among employees of diverse backgrounds.
  5. Enhanced Creativity: Music can stimulate the creative parts of the brain, aiding in tasks that require creative thinking or problem-solving skills. Background music can sometimes provide just the right amount of stimulation to help generate new ideas.
  6. Improved Communication: Music can be a medium for building relationships and fostering better communication among colleagues. It can act as a conversation starter or a shared interest, helping in team building and improving interpersonal relations at work.

Whether you’ watch the parade or not, take time to think about how you can start the new year considering how music can enhance your interactions with people. Is there a commonality you can build with someone you’ve had issues with in the past? Maybe music will be that universal language you need. After all, every note of music is a story, a message, a dream shared with the world. Happy New Year 2024!

Parenting, Work/ Life Balance

Working Mom Tips for Parenting Kids of All Ages

Trish Steed

balance.  According to dictionary.com it is a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.  As working parents, we are constantly hearing about having “work/life balance”. 

When I started blogging fourteen years ago, the idea of work/ life balance was the hot topic. Here we are in 2023 and we are still having the same debate. While many things have improved in those years such as greater flexibility of hours and location of work, the challenge remains on how to most effectively support the needs of families with the needs of the workplace.

Fourteen years ago I was the mom of five-year-old twins. Now those twins are almost twenty and attending different Universities. It’s interesting to think back to them being five and how I parented and worked. I was still in a corporate HR leadership position and working full-time. This meant that I had to turn them over to someone to help me raise them. Now before I go bashing working moms, myself included, I will say that there is not a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for the influence that “Momma Gail” had on my kids.

Gail was their second Momma and raised them from 6:30 am until she put them on the bus. She was the person who picked them up at the end of the school day, let them play, do homework, help her cook or learn things around the house until I got there at the end of my work day. She was the one with them all day during Summer. They swam, went to the skate park and splash pad, the St. Louis Zoo, and more. Gail continued to support them through high school and well into college. Her positive impact was immeasurable on them. Just the other day Carleigh said something and I could hear Momma Gail’s sweet, slightly-Southern accent in the way my daughter pronounced the words. It was heartwarming.

That said, I missed them. And the longer I worked outside the home, the more I yearned to be the one to put them on the school bus and be there waiting when they got home. When they were five I said I didn’t want to give equal weight or equal importance to each portion of my life.  I invested all of my energy, attention, and creativity into each aspect, as I had time.  I juggled. Ultimately, we all sacrificed.

When the kids turned eleven I took a job that allowed me to work from home. It was an adjustment because I not only changed my location but also the type of work I did. I became a human capital management analyst. This job was exactly what I needed. It enabled me to put them on the bus in the morning and wave as the bus rambled up the hill toward their elementary school. I also made cookies or cupcakes on my breaks so I could meet them on the front porch with treats after school. They’d throw their backpacks down right at the front door and we’d all lay on our tummies playing Crazy 8’s and laughing about our day. I treasure those memories and am grateful I had the opportunity.

I realized that as they grew up they needed me even MORE than the year before. Now, as they enter adulthood, I do this intricate dance of being “there” for them and then side-stepping away as they make decisions. For the past nine years I’ve worked from home and on the road. It continues to give me flexibility to meet my own career needs, work with amazing clients, and be a good mom who is there when they need me. And yes, in case you’re wondering, I still take time to ensure they are off to college with a supportive mom in tow when they need me.

I looked back at a post I wrote when they were five in which I shared tips of how to be present for your kids. As I sit here now with college Sophomores, these all still hold true. I hope you find them helpful with your own family.

Working Mom Tips for Parenting All Ages

  • Dedicate focused time to parenting– Make time with your child where you are not connected via computer, phone, social media, etc.
  • Plan special activities that challenge your child artistically–  This could involve painting, ceramics, drawing or other crafts. Sometimes a trip to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby together is a great way to get your child or teen talking while they choose the project.
  • Negotiate your schedule- Talk with your supervisor about expectations for overtime, working remotely, or other flexible arrangements and how those expectations can be met.
  • Prioritize self-care– Don’t forget about yourself and your needs.  Parents often sacrifice their own interests for family.  Be creative about how you incorporate your interest into “family time”. Workout together, ride bikes, play pickle ball, hike, or whatever activity can get you all moving together.


Embracing the dynamic balance of juggling parenting and work can bring numerous benefits to your life. As a parent, you’ll learn valuable lessons in patience, empathy, and unconditional love while experiencing the joy and pride of witnessing your children’s growth and development. Simultaneously, pursuing a career will give you a sense of accomplishment, independence, and personal growth, allowing you to utilize your skills and passions to make a meaningful impact.

By integrating work and parenting, you’ll become more organized and efficient, mastering the art of time management and prioritization. This transformative journey will shape you into a more well-rounded and fulfilled individual. You’ll be a positive role model for your children, teaching them the importance of hard work and determination. The rewards of finding this balance will not only enrich your life but also positively influence your children’s lives, creating a lasting impact on their future.

What tips and techniques have you found helpful as you raise your children while being a working parent? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Uncategorized

Welcome to Chapter Two

Trish Steed

Fourteen years ago, I took one of the most important steps in my life. I started blogging. I was working in the HR department of a large PR firm and was looking for a way to learn about blogging and how it could help in my workplace. What I didn’t anticipate was the love of writing that I would find.

Blogging held the key to so many important ways for me to connect to the world. The blog became my outlet to work through challenging work topics. It was where I shared my innermost thoughts on parenting while being a working mom. It is the place I connected to thousands of people who shared my ideas and many who challenged my ways of thinking. I am forever grateful for all those opportunities and conversations.

That blog evolved over time as I evolved. It changed and grew as I took different jobs, as I received promotions, and as I became an entrepreneur. It grew as I went from being a mother to young twins to a sports mom, a mom of high schoolers and now of college Sophomores. It was the place I wrote about starting as a podcaster a decade ago and how I’ve grown in that endeavor too. It’s also the place that comforted me as I went through personal challenges and struggles with relationships and loss.

I decided to start this new blog as a way to capture this next chapter of life. One where I have a new (old) last name. One where I dedicate time not only to work and children but to finding out who I am as a person beyond the title of “Mother” or “HR Pro”. I’ll still be sharing ideas about workplaces and technology but expanding that to include AI, supply chain, finance, industries, and more. I’ll be travel blogging using the #TravelsWithTrish tag. I’ll also be sharing my new love of watercolor painting. I’ll share some about my faith and of course, my wonderful twins as they continue their educations at the University of Nebraska and the University of Utah.

I hope you’ll join me on this new path of the journey. I look forward to connecting with each of you.

Trish Steed