Professionals across industries are finding themselves overwhelmed by information. What feels harder to access is the time and space to make meaningful professional connections.

Within human resources, professional communities are starting to feel essential, serving as a counterbalance to technological and informational overload.

We have access to more professional development content than ever before, yet we are hearing about more burnout and frustration than ever. If the challenge is not the access to content, then maybe it is how to translate learning into growth that can be felt and applied in a timely and relevant way.

At CPHR BC & Yukon, we have taken note of this shift and have continually adjusted how we design our programs and events to create more space for interaction and real connection between members. We have been trying different approaches to bring people together for meaningful (and sometimes less meaningful!) conversations.

This perspective was reinforced for me more broadly during my recent studies toward the CAE (Canadian Association Executive) designation, where I connected with leaders from associations across the country. What kept coming up was realizing what a central role connecting to a professional community plays in helping members grow in their careers, regardless of industry.

Our collective experiences as association leaders also reinforced that strengthening community is central to our organizational goals. It sounds obvious because, of course, a professional association needs an engaged community. But the nuance is in what that community provides for an individual member and how that member chooses to show up within it.

This has prompted me to rethink what professional growth actually looks like in practice and how much of it happens outside of structured learning environments.

I’ve heard about meaningful development happening for our members in unexpected ways; like serving on a committee, becoming a mentor, asking a burning question during a webinar, or as the result of an informal conversation over nachos at the end of an event.

Often the biggest “a-ha” moments occur when people come together around shared interests. As a former kindergarten teacher, I can tell you that learning sticks best when both the head and heart are engaged.

Engaging with peers exposes us to different perspectives, and often, to questions we haven’t thought about asking. That curiosity, sparked through a shared experience, can lead to new ways of thinking and force us to challenge our assumptions.

Many members have told us that they get the most value when they are active contributors in a peer setting. Being part of the conversation, rather than just absorbing it, builds a strong sense of professional identity and confidence.

Additionally, asking thoughtful questions helps deepen your own understanding and can draw others into your circle. All of this makes for an arguably more efficient use of the time you commit to your professional development and growth.

If possible, think of your professional community not as another demand on your time, but as something you can turn to for guidance, helping you make sense of what matters now and what can wait

In an era defined by rapid change and constant disruption, professional growth may depend less on accessing information and more on belonging to communities capable of helping us make sense of it, question it, and figure out how to apply it together.

Kelly Aslanowicz, B.Ed., CAE is the Senior Director, Business Development at CPHR British Columbia & Yukon.

“PeopleTalking” is monthly column dedicated to covering key HR issues that matter to you, our members. The columns will be written in an op-ed style and will range between 500 and 750 words. Given today’s attention spans and bandwidths, we wanted to ensure the pieces were easily digestible and shareable.

And we want to hear from you! We always welcome feedback so do let us know your thoughts as each column appears. We also want to know if there are any particular topics you would like us to write about. After all, our aim is to help you in your role as an HR professional in your organization.