The Comeback Can Be Greater Than The Setback
09
Nov 2023
CPHR Alberta
207
Author: Jesse Adams, President, and Founder of Ember Experience
In my business coaching, leadership, and life, I operationalize many of the skills I learned during my master's program. Part of my advanced degree was spent coaching high-performance athletes for Canada’s Olympic teams. In a split second, a top athlete can sustain an injury that takes them out for a season or causes them to put their dream of competing for a podium spot on pause. I watched a few athletes who had to overcome personal setbacks. I coached them as they did the mandatory training, uncomfortable and slow-moving physical therapy. I witnessed some of them recover from painful surgeries to come back at top speeds after serious dedication and intense training.
Over the last year of growing my own consulting company, we have faced my fair share of setbacks requiring my team and I to re-strategize, pivot, overcome, and recalibrate. We endured staffing changes, various partnerships with altering priorities, personal challenges, and a reevaluation of our methods and procedures. All while we were taking on new clients, continuing relationships with past contacts, operationalizing and executing on the vision I had for our organization. My team and I collectively worked, (and continue to work through) challenges and setbacks. All those obstacles allowed us to come together and finesse our work, evaluate our systems, roles, processes, and resource needs. We are standing together on the other side, stronger.
Whatever setback you are currently experiencing, whether it is related to product development, policy implementation, staffing changes, or another struggle, remember when you focus on your purpose, mission, and values, the comeback can be stronger than the setback.
Here is a list of my five insights you and your team can consider when facing a setback to inspire the comeback:
- Expect Obstacles
Whether you own a business (new or established) or lead a group of people, expect obstacles. There will be challenges e.g., people, budget, client loss) that can get in the way of your big plans. By being ready and prepared for all eventualities, you are more likely to succeed and less likely to be taken by surprise when the goals you have in place are suddenly less achievable because a team member has resigned, or you have not been selected for an account or a client you pitched for.
- Debrief... Debrief... Debrief...
Allowing yourself to investigate the cause of the setback is another critical way to handle it. Understanding why a client has decided to go elsewhere or an idea has not worked out is a good starting point for preventing it from happening again.
In my experience, issues fit into four categories:
A. Systemic and structural
B. Lack of clarity and communication
C. Interpersonal relationships/dynamics
D. Resource allocation and management
It is important to establish whether the setback was caused by something at your end, something that was systemic, interpersonal, or a resourcing issue (budgetary or staff). Maybe you implemented a new policy that exasperated a problem? Perhaps your communication about deliverables and expectations was inadequate and led to the missed deadline. Whatever the concern, it is crucial that you and your staff work out what happened to rectify it.
- Be Accountable
Evaluate your own role honestly and fairly. Transparently acknowledge your part and any damage your actions may have caused. Act with integrity to repair. Encourage your staff to act with the same respect, responsibility, and courtesy.
- Accept the Things that You Cannot Change
Sometimes the setback really can be just one of those things that happens, just like in life. If you have thoroughly examined your role and identified all the considerable options, it may be best to accept it and let it go. You may have a staff member leaving because they have a sick/aging parent, or you may lose a contract because your product supplier has an inventory issue. These are out of your hands and accepting that is an effective way to approach these kinds of issues.
- Seek Support
If you are encountering a particularly difficult problem and you cannot see a way out, reach out to your trusted network and their professional insight. Find someone outside the issue to discuss it with, we can sometimes get so close to a problem, that we may not see a way around it. There are experts in every field, business coaches, and even a trusted colleague in another department, with a listening ear who can offer insight into your current situation, or just listen and help you sort through the issue. Speaking to others in your network can give you that lift you need to get out of the mire and back on track.
In business, just as in athletics, some situations and circumstances are seen as setbacks. By learning how to plan for, evaluate, own our role in, and build from these setbacks, we can come back stronger. The comeback allows for transparency, connection, and a strong workplace culture of trust and collaboration.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
Author: Rheya Patel, 2026 Social Media Committee Member As days become longer and the weather warms up, the first day of spring brings a sense of renewal and new beginnings. A time that feels more energizing and people are more motivated to reset their routines, look for new opportunities and clear away old habits. While spring is commonly associated with “spring cleaning” in the home, perhaps the same principal can be applies to the workplace. For organizations and HR groups, spring can be the perfect opportunity to encourage employees to reflect and construct new meaningful goals and “clean” out the “clutter” of goals that no longer help them grow or have already been achieved. Why is Spring the Perfect Time for Goal Setting? With the rush of returning to work after the holidays and resuming normal life, spring gives a perfect moment to pause and reflect. Employees can check on their progress, realign priorities and continue the year with renewed motivation. For HR teams, encouraging this reflection can re-engage employees and increase motivation. In turn, employees are more likely to be focused and productive while creating a space for meaningful conversations about growth, development, and career progression. How Can We Encourage Goal Reflection? Believe it or not, HR plays a crucial role in goal setting whether it is realized or not. Creating an open work environment where employees feel supported and encouraged with professional development is key in reflection and goal setting. Below are several ways organizations can use the season of renewal to inspire growth and goal setting. Encourage Reflection What accomplishments have employees made that they are proud of? What challenges have they faced? Asking these kind of questions and having one-on-one check-ins with employees can help support employees to openly discuss their goals and aspirations, and potentially create new goals. Promote Professional Development and Growth The arrival of spring can also create the chance to introduce new learning opportunities. Having a fresh mindset combined with training, workshops, mentorship initiatives, or skill-building programs, employees can feel more motivated and supported in pursuing growth. This helps employees expand their skillsets and strengthen the organization as a whole. Foster Collaboration and New Ideas Tying back to renewed energy, organizations can encourage teams to collaborate and share new ideas. Brainstorming sessions, innovation workshops, or team goal-setting can foster inspiration and connectivity, Having an open space for discussions can help teams align goals with organizational priorities to promote innovation and productivity. Celebrate Progress Recognizing progress along the way is essential. Celebrating achievements and acknowledging progress have a significant impact on employee morale. Employee recognition programs, team shoutouts, or words of appreciation can go a long way to remind employees how valuable their efforts and contributions are and continue to motivate them to strive towards their goals. Final Thoughts The arrival of spring represents renewal, growth, and new possibilities. For HR professionals, it’s also the opportunity to encourage employees to pause, reflect, and move through the rest of the year with renewed purpose. Encouraging goal setting, promoting professional development, fostering collaboration, and celebrating progress, can tie the season of newness to inspire meaningful growth. The new season reminds us that progress doesn’t need to start January 1st. Sometimes, a change in perspective, and a little springtime inspiration, can be the step towards pursuing new goals and growth with confidence.
As the governing voice of CPHR Alberta, the Board of Directors meets quarterly to provide oversight and guidance in several key areas. The Board, alongside CPHR Alberta operations, have began delivery on the association's new strategic priorities developed in the 2026-2028 strategic plan. To ensure transparency between our Board of Directors, members and key stakeholders, we are sharing post-meeting messages to inform the steps taken towards advancing our profession and ensuring a financially stable association. The Board of Directors met on March 14, 2026 to review organizational performance, governance matters, and strategic priorities for the coming year. The Board’s key messages for the membership are as follows: Strong Association Performance in 2025 The Board reviewed the 2025 year-end financial statements and Q4 Management Discussion & Analysis. Key highlights include: 7,332 active members in 2025 (+409), a 6% year-over-year increase Student membership drove much of the growth, strengthening the profession’s long-term pipeline 76 professional development events delivered, reaching 7,000+ participants across Alberta 2025 CPHR Alberta Conference exceeded attendance targets with strong sponsor engagement 2026 conference outlook is strong, with sponsorship commitments nearing target levels The Board approved the 2025 audited financial statements, confirming the organization remains financially stable and well-positioned to support continued growth. Strengthening the Value of Recognition of the CPHR Designation The Board reviewed updates on thought leadership, marketing, and labour-market recognition of the designation. Key insights include that 52% of qualifying HR job postings now require or prefer a CPHR designation, demonstrating strong labour-market recognition. Strategic partnerships also continue to expand, including advancement in opportunities with the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR). Marketing initiatives and industry engagement are focused on building awareness of the designation across employers and HR professionals. The Board remains focused on protecting and strengthening the credibility and value of the designation. Self-Regulation and Advocacy The Board discussed the current self-regulation review. Governance and Board Leadership The Board received updates from its committees and discussed key governance matters, including the Finance & Audit Committee’s oversight of audited financial statements and financial performance and the Governance Committee’s work on governance policy and board practices. The Human Resources Committee also provided updates on governance processes, including expressions of interest and board director voting results. The Board also reviewed board effectiveness practices, succession planning, and interest in the Vice-Chair role as part of ensuring strong leadership continuity. Looking Ahead The Board discussed priorities for the coming months, including: Preparation for the 2026 Annual General Meeting (May 7) Continued membership growth and engagement Delivering a successful 2026 CPHR Alberta Conference (June 2-3) The Board remains focused on supporting members, advancing the HR profession, and ensuring the organization remains strong and sustainable. The next Board meeting takes place in June 2026, after which we will again share our key messages. If you have any questions regarding these key messages or the Board of Directors, please contact chair@cphrab.ca . We welcome your feedback!
The 2026 HRC West Case Competition, hosted by CPHR BC & Yukon and CPHR Alberta, concluded with outstanding student performances from across British Columbia and Alberta, showcasing the next generation of human resource professionals. The first-place team, ThriveSpire from Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business (Alberta), consisting of Nicole Sivertson, Brooke Jenkins, Jam Roda, and Gabrielle Vadnais, secured the $1,500 grand prize for their winning case presentation. Second place was awarded to HRInnovate from Bow Valley College (Alberta), followed by HRmony Solutions from Acsenda School of Management (British Columbia) in third and Innocore from Douglas College (British Columbia) in fourth place. This year’s competition featured 16 teams from post-secondary business schools across BC and Alberta. The exceptional quality of presentations reflected the passion, innovation, and practical expertise students will bring to the human resources profession as they begin their careers. CPHR BC & Yukon and CPHR Alberta extend their sincere thanks to all participating students, coaches, and judges for their dedication and contributions to the success of the event. Special appreciation is also extended to KPU’s Melville School of Business for hosting the 2026 HRC West Case Competition. Plans are already underway for the 2027 HRC West Case Competition, which will take place at Mount Royal University in Alberta on March 5 and 6, 2027. For more information visit: https://cphrbc.ca/hrc-west About the HRC West Case Competition The HRC West Case Competition is an annual student competition organized and co-hosted by CPHR BC & Yukon and CPHR Alberta, bringing together post-secondary students from across Western Canada to apply human resource theory to real-world business challenges while fostering professional growth, collaboration, and industry readiness. About CPHR BC & Yukon CPHR BC & Yukon is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, advocacy, awareness, and professional development opportunities. Established in 1942, the association is the Voice of the HR Profession with a mandate to enhance the profession and advance member value. The organization provides leadership to more than 8,500 members and is both a founding member of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Canada (CPHR Canada) and the exclusive grantor of the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in British Columbia and the Yukon. www.cphrbc.ca Media Contact: Quinne Davey Senior Member Relations Manager, CPHR BC & Yukon quinnedavey@cphrbc.ca 604-694-6943 www.cphrbc.ca
