Originally posted here
Written by Chelsea Pratt
There’s a new kind of networking on the horizon. These days, people and culture gurus are taking to Twitter to share insights, start dialogues, and redefine this ever-evolving department. It’s a conversation that every business professional—and certainly all aspiring people and culture superstars—should be a part of.
To that end, we’ve curated the best of the best social (media) butterflies of the people and culture world. Follow them and join the discussion. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even earn a spot in our next round-up of online experts.
- Meghan M. Biro (@MeghanMBiro)
Biro is kind of a big deal. She’s the CEO of TalentCulture, a regular contributor to Forbes magazine, and the co-creator of #TChat, a wildly popular Twitter conversation. With over 100,000 Twitter followers, she’s a master at leveraging social media to build a business. That’s largely because of #TChat, where, as Biro says, “people talk candidly about their own failures and lessons.” If you’re not following her or contributing to #TChat, you’re missing out—majorly.
- William Tincup (@williamtincup)
Your source for edgy people and culture advice. Tincup, a principal analyst with Key Interval Research, tweets content with the perfect blend of humor and helpfulness. Follow him for gems like “Evil Skippy’s Top Ten Ways to Stop Someone From Correcting Your Grammar,” as well as some more practical advice: motivational office music, anyone?
- Tim Baker (@TimBakerHR)
Between volunteering with the Human Resources Professionals Association and coaching his kids’ sports teams, Baker takes to Twitter to share his insights. For him, it’s worth the effort: “There’s value in collaborating with like-minded leaders,” he explains. “It leads to innovation.” If you’re looking for well-curated content on performance and talent management, search no further: Baker’s your guy.
- Steve Browne (@sbrownehr)
Browne is a self-described “HR Radical.” What does that mean? “Too many HR people look at what we do from a traditional lens,” he explains. “It is no longer a support function, but a leadership position.” As part of that, Browne sees Twitter as the way to build a global, forward-thinking people and culture community. Sure, his feed is filled with some of his own witty insights, but he also shares a lot of his peers’ blog posts—and so his followers reap the benefits of multiple perspectives.
- Stacy Donovan Zapar (@StacyZapar)
The Most Connected Woman on LinkedIn knows a thing or two about networking. A recruiting expert who has worked for companies like TripAdvisor and Restoration Hardware, Zapar is leading a movement to reimagine talent acquisition (check out #recruitersare to catch a glimpse of her global influence).
- Steve Boese (@SteveBoese)
Data security? People analytics? Dry topics are reinvigorated on HR Happy Hour, a podcast that Boese co-hosts. This people and culture guru knows that it’s a brave new world out there for industry professionals and he possesses the tech-savvy necessary to help you modernize your own approach. If you can’t make it to the HR Technology Conference, which Boese co-chairs, check out his Twitter feed for engaging content on innovation in the people and culture space. One of our favourite’s? “Some Common Questions (and Even a Few Answers) about HR Tech.”
- Jeff Waldman (@JeffWaldmanHR)
Rise loves Jeff Waldman. First, he’s a Canucks fan, which wins him major points with our Vancouver office. But he’s also an online people and culture guru in the truest sense of the word. Waldman is working hard to make social media manageable for busy people and culture professionals. His SocialHRCamps identify how businesses can best leverage platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, while his personal Twitter account provides a first-rate model.
- Kathleen Teixeira (@KathleenToronto)
Teixeira has struck the perfect balance between inspiration and information. Sure, she’ll point you to valuable resources on everything from social sharing to work ennui. But we subscribe to her feed for other reasons too—our fondness for #dailymotivation foremost among them.
- Shawn Rogers (@ShawnJRogers)
Rogers is a talent attraction specialist, so it makes sense that most of his tweets center around recruiting and hiring job candidates. But he’s also a wealth of information when it comes to workplace introversion, innovative leadership skills, and effective team-building. Plus, he’s got some dirt on The Walking Dead—hey, it can’t be all business, all the time.
- Trish McFarlane (@trishmcfarlane)
Some people just deserve the title of ‘game changer.’ McFarlane is one of them. Bored with traditional conferences, she co-founded HRevolution to encourage a different kind of industry collaboration. As CEO of H3 HR Advisors and author of Hrringleader.com, she’s connecting with people and culture professionals around the globe. Whenever McFarlane tweets, we take note—and frankly, we think you should too.
- Craig Fisher (@Fishdogs)
An expert at online branding, Fisher is committed to helping “businesses tell their stories better.” As the CEO of TalentNet, he gets lots of practice—in fact, his advice has been picked up by major names like Hootsuite and Zappos. Ready to take your social media game to the next level? Follow Fisher’s exemplary lead.
- Charlie Judy (@HRFishbowl)
Judy is one well connected guy. He’s a great example of how people and culture professionals can use Twitter to engage with other leaders in the field (in fact, he’s had online conversations with many of the people on this list!). Plus, we love the humor he brings to every retweet and mention. Judy is working to make HR “less complex and more valuable…more about the human and less about the resource.” That’s our mission too, so we always love reading his tweets.
- Jay Kuhns (@jrkuhns)
Anyone who uses Dr. Seuss to motivate is a hit in our books, but we also love Kuhn’s thoughtful approach to questions regarding wellness and diversity. This people and culture guru knows that different perspectives are inspiring and that healthy workplaces are productive ones. Hit up his Twitter page for your daily dose of encouragement and inspiration.
- Pam Ross (@pamelamaeross)
Ross co-produces the Reinvent Work Summit, a yearly conference that aims to “make work awesome for everyone.” Open to only 99 people each year, attendees are afforded the opportunity to delve deep into modern workplace issues and build genuine connections with like-minded people. Can’t grab one of those coveted spots? Following Ross’s Twitter feed is the next best thing to being there.
- Ian P. McCarthy (@Toffeemen68)
McCarthy is one of our hometown heroes. The Professor and Associate Dean at Simon Fraser University takes questions of strategy, social media, and business operations seriously, but not too seriously. Between links to academic articles and studies, he tweets his own musings—which are both entertaining and enlightening.
- Scott Boulton (@HR_ScottBoulton)
“Schedule the time to ‘be social,’” Boulton advises. “Invest in your professional brand.” This certified human resources professional and blogger at The Armchair HR Manager follows his own advice: Boulton’s regular tweets cover everything from social media tips to leadership issues, and always reflect his own modern approach to people and culture.
- Joanne Melanson (@joannemelanson)
Want to be a better interviewer? Curious what a ‘civility policy’ might be? Melanson has your back. This people and culture guru shares a wealth of informative content that can only make you better at your job. We love her friendly, straightforward approach to solving common problems plaguing the people and culture department.
- Salima Nathoo (@SocialSalima)
“Authenticity is the new black. It looks good on everyone, especially leaders”: so proclaims Talent Development Leader Nathoo. Those are words she lives by, if her Twitter feed is any indication. Follow her if you like an honest and open approach to people and culture issues (and really, who doesn’t?).
- Kristen Harcourt (@kristenharcourt)
Harcourt believes social media should be a conversation. She’s a regular contributor to #TChat and talks with other people and culture gurus on Twitter. “It’s not just about broadcasting job postings,” she explains. “It’s about getting to know people.” A senior consultant with The McQuaig Institute, Harcourt is definitely one of those people you should get to know. This veritable people and culture superstar is committed to humanizing the workplace, and her content illustrates that. Follow her for forward-thinking ideas on culture and coaching.
- Ambrosia Humphrey (@hambrody)
As Hootsuite’s Vice President of Talent and a self-proclaimed “Social HR Nerd,” you’d expect Humphrey’s Twitter feed to be a solid resource for building company culture. You’d be right. Not only does she share tons of informative articles, she also posts pictures of the Hootsuite team in action, proving that an awesome workplace atmosphere can (and should) exist.
Bonus: Angela Bortolussi (@ABortolusssi)
Bortolussi isn’t your average headhunter. Sourcing IT pros and creatives in LA and Vancouver, she’s all about providing a unique connection with her clients and candidates. In her spare time, you can catch her speaking at tech schools and meetups (she’s even learning how to code!).
No one wants to be a follower—except in this case. When it comes to our top 20 people and culture gurus, there’s everything to be gained from clicking that ‘follow’ button. But don’t leave it at that. Again and again, our gurus told us that Twitter is a forum for conversation. Talk back, build your personal brand, and watch your own following grow.
Happy tweeting!