Who are the people that are taking the lead in disrupting the future of work?
They’re the official Disruptors (Organizers) of DisruptHR events held in cities around the world. Each week, we’ll introduce you to one of these intelligent, inspiring, and beautiful people (okay, pick two) who have stepped up, and volunteered to organize a Disrupt HR event in their city.
David Alsop of DisruptHR Salt Lake City (Disruptor #102)
Who are you, and what do you do in your “day job”?
Hello! I am David Alsop and I lead the Human Resources department at Ultradent Products Inc. during the day. I am a loving husband and father of four boys at all other times. I seek disruption and workforce innovation on the side.
How did you first hear about DisruptHR?
I was networking out in Denver, CO and everyone told me I had to go to some event called DisruptHR Denver. So glad I listened and found a community of people seeking to make a difference in the workplace and local business community.
Why did you decide to raise your hand and become an organizer for DisruptHR events in Salt Lake City?
I left my midwest gig with a dream of beginning a new life in my home state of Utah. I asked around for the next DisruptHR conference in the state and no one knew about such an event. I found a few friends with a passion for the future of talent and we decided to build the Disrupt concept in the fast growing market that Utah is.
How many events have you organized?
DisrupthrSLC 1.0 was on February 8, 2017 and right around 300 amazing people attended. DisrupthrSLC 2.0 is scheduled for October 4, 2017. We plan to disrupt twice a year.
What types of people/industries have attended your events?
We had a great mix of HR practitioners, consultants, CEO’s, recruiters, business professionals and a couple comedians!
What are you most proud of that has come out of being involved with/organizing DisruptHR events?
I am very excited that people are asking and challenging each other to disrupt the status quo thinking in the workplace and talent space. I am also very proud that Utah’s disruptive thinkers are joined to a global network where we can all learn and grow together.
What kind of feedback have you received from those who attended prior DisruptHR Salt Lake City events?
One attendee told us that they were so impressed by the forum and stage that allowed speakers to be vulnerable and take risks. They said they were inspired by a speaker that truly took a risk. This got me excited because disruption is all about losing the egos and resumes and just making oneself vulnerable to a risky topic or risky idea that could flop.
What is your favorite DisruptHR Talk, and why?
Idea Sex in Talent Management by Greg Roche is still my favorite. I love Greg’s talk because it is so G-rated but the title scared me to death because, well, I’m a PG-rated guy in HR. The talk was funny, risky and impactful. It made fun of how serious HR people can be. It was a great way of influencing people to share ideas.
Based off of the Talks and conversations at your events, what do you feel are the areas with the biggest opportunity for disruption?
The biggest opportunity I see is for people to start talking about the “elephants in the room” when it comes to workplace and talent. What topics are too taboo to talk about at work? Go after those. It’s not about any one topic, it’s about what everyone is thinking but no one will say.
It’s about jumping up and sharing thoughts about what no one is thinking but they will be inspired to hear. We need to continuously thirst for value and impact from the workplace roles that oversee people, culture and talent.
What excites you or frustrates you about the future of work, your career and/or DisruptHR?
I get excited every day to work with people who lose themselves to helping other people in reaching new horizons. I’m excited to lead disruption on the side to help people in our global community connect and make the world of work a better place with a brighter future.
I get frustrated when leaders and HR practitioners just want to collect a check but never catch the vision of losing oneself to a higher cause of people impact. The future of work depends upon people who do more than collect a paycheck but who crave and find continuous value streams that lift individuals, teams, companies and communities to a better place.
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