That was the year that was
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Well what a year eh? I mean who would have thought….? This time last year, I wrote my expectations and hopes for the new decade. If the remaining 9 years are anything like the first one, then I might not make it out alive…but I’ll have had a hell of a journey!
You’re all so wonderful and giving to me and in recognition of that, I want to give something back to you. So here are the inaugural…………………… My Hell is Other People awards!
Methodology: I have looked at reach, resonance are relevance and then I’ve tossed them to one side and done exactly what I wanted.
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Hero of the year – MJCarty. Michael is the sort of guy that if he didn’t exist you would have to make up. Kind, genuine, supportive, funny and a complete stalwart of the HR online community. I know that I and many other bloggers would be lost without the support that Michael gives us….not to mention the retweets and a strange almost hobbit like use of language.
Event of the year – #SocRecCamp. How many other events took a range of people many who’ve never met, doused them in alcohol and then wrapped them in rubber? I mean….talk about an HR nightmare! I met such a great group of people there and they all took my naming as Theo within their stride. The sloe gin, however, was a step too far.
Rapprochement of the year – Bill Boorman. In April I wrote an open letter to Bill following a bit of a stupid online tiff. We’ve met a couple of times now and I think everything is settled. Not only do we have a lot of similar views on blogs and blogging, we are also (surprisingly) almost neighbours. Although far enough apart that I manage to get some bandwidth.
Pantomime villain of the year – Stephen O’Donnell. Some people need to be contrary. Some people can’t help being contrary. Stephen is somewhere in between. After getting me stuck in the blog post that I wished I hadn’t written I’ve realised the behaviour isn’t naive, there is just a gene missing somewhere.
Blondie of the year – Lisa Scales. Facing off ridiculously stiff (ahem) competition from Sarah Knight, Betty B Blonde and Wendy Jacob. What can I say about Lisa that hasn’t been said? Very little. But she is one hilarious lady and she of course gave me the moment of the year when she reversed her car over her own tent at the camp…..genius behaviour and for that alone she gets the gong.
Disappointment of the year – #CHRchat. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe I’m a cynical old bastard. The Tweet ups were fun, the Unconference, I’m told, was promising, but the chats….eurgh. Is it the participants? Is it the topics? Is it the formats? I don’t know, but as a business person I know that if something isn’t working, you kill it….and quick.
Blog of the year – Joe Gerstandt. If there is one blog I read that says something different, that swims against the tide, that makes me think and makes me want to do something about it, it is Joe’s. I don’t know him, but I love his writing, I love his thinking and I love the way that he writes about topics that most of us would rather ignore or kick deep deep into the long grass. PLUS, he looks like at any moment he might be pushed over the edge and stab you. I like that in a blogger.
#HRfamous moment of the year – Laurie Ruettimann. So Laurie has always been my blog crush. It is no secret, I think what she did and what she does is amazing. I met her, we were in a bar in London and someone came up and said, “You’re that HRD guy”……..yeah….and she is LAURIE RUETTIMANN! And Ken was lovely too!
Blogger of the future – Damon Klotz. Yeah, I’d never heard of him either. But then most people hadn’t heard of Justin Bieber. So your point is? Read the boy, meet the boy at #TruLondon. And watch out for him in the future. Remember…you heard it here almost first.
Commenter of the year – Henry Berry. What can I say? Henry has been there from the beginning…..almost from post one. Providing me with as many laughs and thoughts as you can possible pack in to a comment. Intelligent, frivolous, challenging, pointless, amusing…none of these apply to him.
Blog I wished I wrote – Corporate Daycare. So you may or you may not know this blog. If you don’t then you should. Blogging since 2006….yes 2006 this HR pro has a wonderful way with words, a sense of humour and despite this they are Canadian. Now how about that for a triumph against adversity?
Item of the year – The Mask. Oh sweet mother of Jesus….where do I go with this one? I blame Gary Franklin the owner of the afore-mentioned mask. It is touring around the world as we speak, making guest appearances. You know you want it to come to a town near you…..don’t you?
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So there you go, for all those unlucky winners…..Congratulations! For all those lucky losers….I’ll get you next time……..
Thanks to all of you for your general awesomeness and total wonderfulness. Have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful and enriching New Year.
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My Hell is Other People 
If there was anyone I could choose to lose to it would be Mrs S. Well done Scalesy and to all other award winners! 🙂
*applause* wonderful idea!
On a serious note, it’s through your blog that I’ve had the confidence to voice opinions of my own on my blog. For this, I thank you.
Agree wholeheartedly with Michael, the nicest man alive!
Hope you have a wonderful Xmas and New Year too.
Thanks Theo.
Agreed, Michael is my hero too!
God, it wasn’t me who brought sloe gin was it? It’s the kind of thing I would do…
Looking forward to #HRClubbing!
Have a wonderful festive period.
Theo I’d like to sincerely apologise. For what it’s worth, I was mostly trying to agree with you.
I am contrary though, that’s a fair comment.
Darling T
I feel honoured to have made the cut as frankly the competition are far more awesome than I – there is however a small caveat to that statement as I think you would find it hard to find another blonde that can reverse a Jeep into a tent as well as I…..
Have a super smashing Christmas and a happy,healthy,HRD’y 2011
L
xxxxx
PS I completely agree on Item of the year although I haven’t quite got over climbing out of a tent, half asleep and very hungover with the “Mask” staring straight at me…. *scarred for life*
I’m honoured.
Good work, fella.
Keep it up.
I am humbled and honoured.
I love the list idea (because I love lists) and think it’s a great way for you to give this year end shout out.
Have a wonderful transition from 2010 to 2011 and all the best over the holidays.
And it’s true – it’s my biggest ambition to overcome my “colony” upbringing and some day be a grown-up (read: British). 😉
Sir
Thank you so much for the exceedingly kind mention and, indeed, award! I am honoured beyond belief, and extremely chuffed too! This is definitely the first award of any kind I’ve ever received, and I am truly grateful.
Thanks also to Charlie and Sukh for their lovely words in the comments above.
Kind regards
Michael
Thanks man, I really appreciate it. I am a fan of yours as well…it is always a highlight for me if I open my e-mail in the morning and you have a fresh post. Happy holidays to you and yours, keep on doing what you do with your blog and I hope that we stumble into each other some day in the real world.
-joe
It was only when I saw a massive spike in my blog hits did I realize what I had won! I think this award means just as much to me as some of the formal & fancy ceremonial awards I’ve received in the past few years.
I’m humbled to have made the cut considering I started blogging in February of this year and I’ve still got a lot to learn about myself and my profession and I’ve already got big plans blogging wise in place for 2011.
I’ll be making the 24 hour flight over to London in February so for those who will be at #trulondon I look forward to meeting you.
Thanks again The HRD!
Damon – The HRockstar
Love the list!
@Wendy Jacob – That was by far the tightest category! 🙂
@Sukh Pabial – Thanks Sukh…I really appreciate that. Heres to a successful 2011 for all.
@Charlie Duff – #HRclubbing…..oh yes!!!!
@Stephen O’Donnell – I’ll live! 🙂
@Lisa Scales – That mask has A LOT to answer for…..
@Henry – That was your crappest comment ever…..
@Corporate Daycare – Love lists too…..and Canadians…..although I couldn’t eat a whole one….
@Michael Carty – You see….unanimous! 🙂
@Joe Gerstandt – If we stumble across one another…..you won’t stab me will you? 🙂
@Damon Klotz – See you in Feb!
@Trish McFarlane – Thanks Trish…I have a list fetish thing….I should do more in 2011….