Stepping Inside SHRM: Our Reflection on Culture, Leadership, and 188体育app_188体育在线-平台官网
What happened when UNH College of Professional Studies faculty members Sunil Ramlall and Christian Lagarde visited SHRM headquarters for a fireside chat with President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.? This conversation explored the connection between workplace culture, leadership, and organizational impact. Faculty discovered that SHRM’s environment reflects its mission of advancing the HR profession, with a strong emphasis on intentional culture, collaboration, and values in action.
Setting the SHRM scene
Walking into the headquarters of the SHRM immediately conveyed a sense of purpose and intentionality. What stood out most was not just the physical space, but the energy within it, an environment that reflected both professionalism and a deep commitment to advancing the HR profession. The space felt alive with ideas, collaboration, and mission-driven work. Importantly, the walls were decked with the milestones of SHRM’s history including the impact on many employment laws now in effect.
The first impression of SHRM’s culture was one of alignment. There was a clear connection between what the organization represents externally and how it operates internally. The environment embodied credibility, inclusivity, and forward-thinking leadership. This was not simply a workplace; it was a living example of HR in action.
Being onsite offered a fundamentally different experience from engaging with SHRM virtually or through its publications. While SHRM’s resources are influential and far-reaching, physically being present allowed us to observe culture in motion, how individuals interacted, how space supported collaboration, and how values were translated into everyday behaviors. It reinforced that culture is not something communicated; it is something experienced.
Meeting Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Meeting Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. in person was both professionally meaningful and personally impactful. As one of the most influential voices in the HR profession, his leadership extends far beyond thought leadership, as it is embodied in how he shows up.
His presence was grounded, intentional, and highly engaging. He demonstrated a leadership style that balanced confidence with approachability, creating space for dialogue while maintaining a clear sense of direction. What stood out most was his ability to connect ideas to purpose, consistently linking conversations back to the broader impact of HR on organizations and society.
Equally notable was how he engaged with people. There was a genuine attentiveness in his interactions, a willingness to listen, reflect, and respond thoughtfully. This reinforced the idea that effective leadership is not only about influence, but about connection and presence.
We actually even talked about family and basketball.
Reflections on workplace culture
This experience reinforced a fundamental belief: culture is not abstract but it is operational. At SHRM, culture was visible in the smallest details, from how individuals greeted one another to how collaboration unfolded in shared spaces.
One of the most significant observations was the consistency between stated values and lived behaviors. Culture at SHRM appeared to be intentionally designed and actively maintained, rather than passively assumed. This alignment is what transforms culture from a concept into a competitive advantage.
The visit also highlighted the urgency of intentional culture design in today’s environment. Organizations are navigating rapid change, evolving workforce expectations, and increasing demands for authenticity and inclusion. Culture, therefore, cannot be left to chance. It must be deliberately shaped, reinforced, and continuously evaluated to ensure it supports both people and performance.
Meaningful takeaway
The most meaningful takeaway from the visit was the reaffirmation that leadership and culture are inseparable. The environment at SHRM demonstrated how intentional leadership shapes organizational culture, and in turn, how culture drives impact.
As audiences engage with the upcoming fireside chat, the hope is that they will look beyond the conversation itself and reflect on the broader message: that culture is experienced in moments, relationships, and everyday actions. It is built through leadership, sustained through consistency, and ultimately defines the success of an organization.