In the dynamic business environment of today, strong leadership and effective communication are essential for success. To gain deeper insights into these critical areas, we had the privilege of sitting down with Trudy Lewis, founder of Colinear, director and co-founder at Calm Edged Rebels, and co-chair of the Institute of Directors Marketing Communications group. Trudy will be chairing the upcoming ‘Reinventing HR and IC 2024‘ conference, bringing her extensive experience and passion to the forefront of this significant event.
Trudy’s extensive experience in employee engagement, leadership, and internal and change communications, both in-house and as a consultant, has enabled her to support leading organisations within the retail, rail, construction, and professional services industries. As an executive coach, she is passionate about helping leaders, professionals, and their teams develop influence and impact as they master communication, connect, and engage.
In our interview, we delved into the upcoming ‘Reinventing HR and IC 2024’ conference, where Trudy shared insights and expectations.
Q: Can you give us a brief overview of the ‘Reinventing HR and IC 2024’ event?
Trudy: Reinventing HR and IC 2024 strongly focuses on enhancing our leadership as HR and IC professionals so that we can effectively support employee experience. This event will provide insights and ideas to help us make a positive impact on our people and organizations. It is designed to make us better leaders so that we can develop better leadership. We will hear from expert practitioners and consultants who will share how we can achieve this through a variety of session styles, case studies, and practical ideas to apply to how we work.
What I love most about this event is that it moves us away from the conversation about our differences and focuses on how we can work more effectively together, sharing ideas and experiences to be more effective.
Q: We are delighted to have you back as the conference host this time. Could you share with us your highlights from last year’s event?
Trudy: It was such a pleasure to attend and speak at last year’s event. It was my first time, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I learned so much as others shared current industry trends and practices. Ideas around data and intelligence for employee engagement and communications also stood out, as did the many case studies and talks about the neuroscience of performance. The pace enabled us to have some very interesting conversations with attendees, so I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope this will encourage people to join us this year. It’s an honor to be invited to host this year’s event. Kareen was a great host last year, so I have a lot to live up to. I’m looking forward to taking on the role to present a successful conference for everyone.
Q: What are you most looking forward to for this year’s conference?
Trudy: This year, the emphasis will be on leadership, mindset, and emotional intelligence skills like listening. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing about that and exploring human leadership and sustainable culture in the one-day workshop planned for day two. We are in for a treat as all the speakers come with unique perspectives on existing and new areas to enhance our approach and skills.
Q: Who should attend ‘Reinventing HR and IC 2024’ and why?
Trudy: This conference provides the perfect opportunity for HR and IC professionals to step away from their day-to-day work, learn something new, and interact with a wide range of people who come with their own experiences. Here we get the chance to connect with strategies and hear insights that will help us to grow and get behind the conversation to create better employee experiences.
Q: How are you ensuring the event is relevant and impactful to the attendees?
Trudy: We have changed the format this year, introducing a whole day’s workshop on day two, which will allow us to take a deeper look at how we address challenges and access opportunities in HR and IC. The balance of presentation styles across the event, from presentations and case studies to workshops and panel discussions, will enable an exchange of knowledge to get everyone thinking and learning.
Q: Can you share more about the guest speakers at the event?
Trudy: We have an amazing line-up this year with a mix of well-known industry experts and HR and IC practitioners from leading companies. We have authors, founders, innovators, professional coaches, and development leads, all of whom are making an impact in our industries. Please request the detailed agenda here.
Q: Finally, what should the delegates expect from you, Trudy, as the conference chair?
Trudy: Having attended a number of conferences, I think it’s important to facilitate collaboration and a space for people to feel involved and heard. A lot of information will be shared throughout the time, and I’m looking forward to bringing it together, creating a relaxed atmosphere so everyone can interact, talk, and ask questions so that the experience of the conference will make a lasting impression.
We are excited about the upcoming ‘Reinventing HR and IC 2024’ conference and the valuable insights it promises to deliver. With Trudy Lewis at the helm as the conference chair, attendees can expect an engaging and enriching experience that will leave a lasting impact on their professional journeys. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside fellow HR and IC professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!
