What HR Professionals Are Talking About Right Now: Key Takeaways from SHRM Talent 2026

CPS and Villanova HRD staff at SHRM Talent 2026

Conferences do more for Villanova University’s Human Resource Development programs than raise visibility; they keep us grounded in the real conversations HR professionals are having right now, across industries and career stages.

In April, Villanova HRD attended SHRM Talent 2026 in Texas as both exhibitors and participants. Our team spent time learning directly from HR leaders working in talent acquisition, organizational development, performance management, and related areas. While the sessions covered a wide range of topics, several themes stood out for their relevance to today’s workplaces and the way we prepare current and future HR professionals.

1. One message we heard repeatedly was simple but powerful: clear is kind. This phrase, often attributed to Brené Brown, surfaced frequently in conversations about culture, leadership, and performance. Avoiding uncomfortable feedback can feel compassionate in the moment, but it often withholds information employees need to grow. Timely, transparent feedback supports stronger performance and surfaces issues early when there is still room to address them constructively. No employee should be completely surprised by a termination conversation.

2. Another strong takeaway centered on respect during difficult conversations. Former SWAT hostage negotiator and FBI-trained crisis negotiator Scott Tillema emphasized that people struggle to process hard information if they do not feel seen, heard, and understood. Mutual respect is foundational. When managers take time to understand who someone is and where they are coming from, defensiveness decreases and openness increases, especially during high-stakes moments like disciplinary discussions or performance reviews. Even small signals of respect, like confirming the correct spelling and pronunciation of a colleague's name, can shape the tone and outcome of these conversations.

3. We were also reminded that feedback is not just about correction; it's about connection. Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer [sic!] at VaynerX, reframed feedback as a relationship-building tool. Empathy communicates “I see you.” Optimism communicates “I believe in you.” When managers coach from a place of trust, employees are far more likely to learn, grow, and remain engaged. Reducing feedback to a checklist of errors and blame misses a critical opportunity to build curiosity and long-term capability.

Beyond the formal sessions, SHRM Talent 2026 delivered something equally valuable: new professional connections, thoughtful conversations with fellow exhibitors and fresh ideas we are excited to bring back to our students. It also delivered Texas hospitality in full, as in all the sweet tea we could drink and more line dancing than any of us expected.

Now, we're looking ahead to SHRM26 in Orlando this June. If you're attending as an HR professional, Villanova alum, or prospective HRD student, we would love to connect and continue these conversations in person. Go Cats! \\//