Thought Sparks Wrap Up — April 2024

Is 2024 going to be remembered as the year CHRO’s got a seat at the table?

In the way that things seem to work post-pandemic, it’s wild to remember that just a month ago the “totality” eclipse captured our imaginations and the Columbia campus was occupied by nothing more threatening than sky watchers (with the astronomy department glorying in the moment by handing out free eclipse observation classes). How things can change in such a short period of time.

Idea exchange was a big theme in April and now coming into May. I went to New Haven, to visit colleagues for a Purpose and Values Academic Camp to grapple with the meaning of purpose to the modern corporation. While some speakers gave it a lot of credit as a galvanizing force that gives meaning to work, others questioned whether it was just another corporate ploy to get people engaged without fair compensation. Corporate visits included a keynote at Citi and a day with people running major energy companies in New Zealand. Then, we had the Think Bigger Innovation Summit featuring Board members, faculty and innovators talking about the big, and interconnected, issues that are having an impact on company’s innovation agendas.

And though it was technically held in May, one of the highest impact days for me was the “Human Future of Work” conference that I co-chaired with my colleague…