Karen Alma

What I think about. Things that happen to me. Stuff I like. And other things.

recent posts

about

Global Talent Acquisition and Operations Leader | Driving Innovation in Remote Workforce Development
  • The Coffee Shop Name Saga Continues

    The Coffee Shop Name Saga Continues

    I’ve always had a challenge getting people to say my name correctly. This is especially entertaining at coffee shops, as I was reminded this past week when a barista really did try, but still ended up way off.

    The correct pronunciation of my name, Karen (where the first syllable is pronounced like the vehicle and there’s a clear “eh” sound in the second syllable), is typically considered to have Scandinavian origins, particularly Swedish or Norwegian. I’m not really sure where my parents came up with it as it’s not a family name, but my mother’s ancestors were Norwegian, so that’s likely the where it came from. I was also born in Nicaragua, so the Nordic pronunciation makes it easier to say my name in Spanish.

    In American English, it’s much more common to hear “Care-in” (where the first syllable rhymes with “hair”).

    Going back through old blog posts, I realized this isn’t the first time I’ve documented my coffee shop problem:

    Once someone actually spelled it correctly without my having to spell it for them. But then, of course, when my order was ready, they called out my name incorrectly.

    Over the years, I’ve collected a gallery of creative interpretations: Carien, Lauren (sorry, don’t have photographic evidence of this one), Kare, Tarin, and Carmen multiple times.

    I hope you enjoy this latest addition to my collection of coffee cup aliases. At least they got the vowel sound correctly. At this point, I’m considering starting a photo collection of all my coffee cup name variations to hang on the wall in my kitchen as a testament to the ongoing saga of my mispronounced name.

  • Claude, my Assistant: Working Smarter with AI

    Claude, my Assistant: Working Smarter with AI

    At Automattic, we use AI tools regularly – it comes naturally when you’re a software company. As someone who focuses more on people and operations than code, I’ve found interesting ways to use AI to do more. I’ve been using Claude as an assistant – someone who can take a messy pile of information and transform it into something clear and actionable.

    Disorganized to organized

    Here’s an example of what I mean: Recently, I had Claude analyze a collection of recruitment performance data. It then spit out some comparative tables, visualized trends, and helped me identify patterns across my team. Instead of spending hours compiling and formatting this information, Claude handled the initial work while I focused on interpreting what the patterns meant for our team. It wasn’t perfect, but did clear away a lot of fog so I could focus better.

    Another example is how I used Claude to help me develop documentation on objective hiring best practices. I needed to pull together multiple resources, analyze what we already have, and find gaps in our understanding. I started with outlining the problem space, shared our scenario, and Claude proposed a structure. Through several iterations, I refined it from being too specific to something more broadly applicable across different hiring scenarios.

    I developed an outline and then Claude created initial drafts based on the outline, then we went back and forth to refine and revise. As I provided feedback about specific sections, Claude helped rewrite them to really speak to our Talent team’s needs. For instance, when I needed to explain the importance of scorecards, I wasn’t sure where in the document to put the new information and Claude suggested the perfect spot in the flow with the right level of detail – technical enough to be useful, but not so dense that it would overwhelm.

    I also used Claude to plan my garden, which, admittedly, was a totally different kind of task. I shared my constraints – the size of my garden plots and the types of plans I’m interested in – along with the NMSU Extension Office gardening guide. Claude created a layout  for me and planting schedules. I also appreciate the back and forth that can be done. Claude doesn’t get everything right and can’t know all the nuance, but I can add more and more details, correcting and adjusting as I go along, until I get pretty nearly what I want. I was even able to get a seed shopping list and recommended shops.

    What I appreciate most is how this approach lets me focus on the strategic thinking while handing off the initial analysis and organization. It’s not about replacing my work – it’s about having a really efficient way to get from raw material to a more-or-less polished final product. Cliche, I know, but it’s about working smarter, not harder. I still drive the process and make the decisions, and having this kind of analytical and organizational support helps me tackle projects and get faster results. 

    I even had Claude help me sort out the information to include in this post. Sorry, not sorry. I went through some of the more interesting projects I’ve worked on recently, had Claude go through them and analyze how the tool helped me in those cases.

    Onward and upward!

  • Finding Gratitude

    Finding Gratitude

    It’s easy to get caught up in where we want to be, as opposed to where we are. For example, when I paint – I get hyper-focused on the end result and forget to notice the process itself. Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude and how it shows up in unexpected places.

    My mom taught me many things. One unexpected lesson that popped up throughout our relationship was how grateful she was for everything. Even as Alzheimer’s stole her memory, she’d notice things the rest of us took for granted – the way clouds wrapped the crest of the mountains, new car colors on the street, even uneven sidewalks that needed fixing. Her repetitive Alzheimer-induced observations could be frustrating. But at the same time, she was teaching me, and everyone around her, something profound about paying attention and finding wonder in ordinary moments.

    Chatting with my mom

    This carries over into work life too. During our recent alignment changes at Automattic, I found myself grateful not just for the colleagues who stayed, but for what each person who left had brought to our journey together: shared projects, solved problems, and moments of growth. Sometimes it takes a shake-up to make you appreciate the everyday.

    One habit I’ve managed to maintain over time is waking up an hour before I have to log into work. Nothing fancy, just making my coffee, settling into my favorite corner with my Bible, catching up on the news, or playing a game on my phone. It’s not Instagram-worthy, but it’s my way of holding space for gratitude. Mainly preparing mentally for the day ahead, in the quiet of the early morning, before the rush begins, taking a bit of time for quiet while the rest of my household is still asleep.

    I always want to do more, of course. I always have good intentions about setting aside time to paint or journal. But between early meetings, family responsibilities, and the general rush of life, these often get pushed aside. I expect I am not alone in this.

    Yet even small things matter. For example, during my recent sabbatical, I logged 106 entries in Day One; just daily moments worth remembering. I wanted to do this because I knew I would miss the many small blessings of day-to-day life if I didn’t take the time to record them.

    This isn’t the first time I’ve written about gratitude, so I guess it’s something I think about a lot. It’s important! As I move through the days, I see it show up in unexpected ways. When spending time with my mom, I learned to be thankful for her moments of clarity, shared laughter, and even watched the simple recognition in her eyes. Gratitude isn’t just for the big moments – it’s in the small connections and the daily rituals.

    Like my painting style that develops over time, maybe gratitude is something that grows with practice – even imperfect practice (of which I have PLENTY). It’s not about forced positivity or ignoring life’s challenges. Instead, it’s about trying, however imperfectly, to notice, to appreciate, to say “thank you” for what each day brings – even if that day brings uneven sidewalks and repeated stories.

  • I’m Staying

    I’m Staying

    The last few days at Automattic have been… something else. The Alignment Offer has come and gone, and while we’ve had to say goodbye to some wonderful Automatticians, I am more committed than ever to our mission and the work we do.

    Over the past few days, I couldn’t help but reflect on my journey with WordPress and Automattic, and the feeling that comes up again and again is a sense of deep gratitude. Back in 2006 or thereabouts, WordPress changed my life. I started a business that supported my young family, I co-founded the ABQ WordPress community, and eventually, I joined Automattic – a move that was truly life-changing for us.

    This company has given me so much. My husband and I were able to homeschool our children while traveling the country (and beyond) with them. It’s taken me to places I never dreamed I’d visit and I’ve met incredible colleagues from around the world. I’ve seen over and over how our distributed work model changes lives. Talent is indeed distributed globally, even when opportunity isn’t.

    At Automattic, I’ve had a hand in developing a revolutionary way of working. Transparency isn’t just a thing we give lip-service to – it’s the foundation of everything we do. We give and receive trust in equal measure. We lean into questioning the status quo, experimenting, iterating, making mistakes, fixing them, and always striving to find better ways to do what we do. We don’t get it right all the time, but we try.

    I never considered the Alignment Offer. Of course, a lump sum of 6 months’ salary is going to be tempting. But there’s still so much good work to be done here. We are a smaller team now, but we’ll be stronger for it. I’m excited (and okay, a little scared) about what’s to come. But I know it will be good.

    Change is scary, no doubt about it. Losing respected colleagues is tough. And I’m grateful they were all able to make their decisions from a position of strength, cushioned by a generous severance package. For those of us staying, as we mourn the loss, I hope there will be a renewed sense of purpose and alignment. I can see the signs of it already as I look across my colleagues and see them paving their own way through.

    I love this place. I have good work to do. Mission. Impact. These aren’t just words – they’re the reason I’m here, the reason I’m staying. WordPress and Automattic have been transformative forces in my life, and I’m committed to paying that forward.

    Here’s to the next chapter. There’s work to be done, and I’m ready for it.

  • When Your ‘Meh’ Painting Makes the Cut: A Lesson in Artistic Humility

    When Your ‘Meh’ Painting Makes the Cut: A Lesson in Artistic Humility

    I recently submitted two watercolor paintings to a juried art show for members of the New Mexico Watercolor Society, happening in Las Cruces, New Mexico this fall. The theme is agriculture and farming over the history of this region. It took me some time to figure out what to paint because it’s not my usual vibe but I finally found inspiration from photos I’d taken on my aunt’s property. 

    The first painting, a an old pitchfork standing near a pile of mulch just flowed. There was something about the the colors of the fork, the play of light on the metal, and the hint of green foliage that felt natural to me. I had fun getting the textures just right, building up layers of color to capture what I felt was a sun-baked, well-used look. I felt really good about it.

    Then there was the wagon. The reference photo was fun and I loved the play of light on the wheels. But something about it just didn’t click for me. I tried three separate times to get it right. Maybe it was the composition, or maybe it was the colors. Whatever the reason, I filed it under the “not my favorite” pile. 

    That said, when it came time to submit to the show, I included both. The pitchfork was a no-brainer – I was excited to share it. The wagon? My daughter (my trusted and honest art critic) said it was decent so I figured it couldn’t hurt to have a second entry. 

    When the results came in, the wagon had been selected for the show. The pitchfork, my favorite, didn’t make the cut. When I opened the email, I laughed and laughed. Isn’t that just the best way to keep an artist humble! What a valuable lesson about art, subjectivity, and the importance of just putting your work out there.

    I don’t know an artist who can’t see a mistake or something to be improved in their work. If they don’t admit it, they’re probably faking it. And what we see as flaws in our work might be the very things that others like. And sometimes, the pieces we’re less emotionally attached to can speak to viewers in ways we never anticipated.

    So, I’ll keep creating, keep submitting, and try not to get too hung up on what I think is my “best” work. Put it all out there and let go of the need for control. 

    I can’t wait to see the painting hanging on the wall at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces — October 11- November 18, 2024. 

  • Serenity in Chaos: Embracing Circles of Control and Influence

    Serenity in Chaos: Embracing Circles of Control and Influence

    I’ll let you in on a couple of secrets. First, I’m a massive control freak inside my head, and second, I worry. A LOT. About everything. In some areas of my life, I hide it so well that people are genuinely shocked to learn this about me. In fact, I’ve had friends say, “But you’re so chill!” In other areas, it’s more obvious, as my kids can attest. I work hard to be chill and not control everything, and I put in a ton of effort to not sweat the small stuff and keep things as simple as possible. It’s a constant battle, but one I’m committed to fighting.

    The other day, my awesome HR partner shared this article with me. In our bi-weekly catchup call, we’d been chatting about control and knowing what’s actually in your control and what isn’t. The article discusses the “Circles of Influence, Concern, and Control” concept. It’s very simple and powerful – some things you can control, some you can influence, and others you can only worry about. It’s up to you to figure out where to put your energy.

    1. Circle of Control: This is where we have direct control – our thoughts, our actions, and our reactions.
    2. Circle of Influence: This is the stuff we can impact but not directly control – personal relationships, things at work, etc.
    3. Circle of Concern: This is the stuff we care about but can’t do anything about – the economy, weather, other people’s opinions, etc.

    The circles are nested, so the third circle is the biggest, the second sits inside that, and the first sits inside that one. The stuff you can control is the smallest area, get it?

    Knowing about control and spheres of influence doesn’t make it easy to manage. That said, there are a few questions I try and keep front and center:

    1. Can I actually control this?
    2. If not, can I influence it somehow?
    3. If it’s totally out of my hands, can I just… let it go?

    Reading about this concept reminded me of the old Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” I don’t need to control every little thing or win every battle to be okay. Sometimes, the best move is to loosen my grip and just… trust. And when I stop trying to control everything, life has this weird way of working itself out.

  • Coworking on Sanibel Island

    Coworking on Sanibel Island

    When I decided to park my RV on Sanibel Island for a few days, I pictured a perfect blend of work and beach life. I didn’t anticipate the challenges that would come with finding workable connectivity. Finding good mobile coverage for working on the road can be a major headache, but these days, my mobile coverage is usually sufficient as long as I’m in relatively populated areas.

    No sooner had we arrived at our RV park, I realized this one was going to be tricky. A scheduled meeting with my business coach turned into a laugh a minute as we tried Zoom on my laptop, then my phone, before settling for an old-school phone call.

    After the call, I got busy finding a work set up. Off we went on an island-wide exploration. I scoped out every coffee shop (and there are a few), the local grocery store with a cozy coffee shop, even finding myself on a bench outside the local library, running speed tests.

    In my search, I went to the googles and found “coworking spaces” on Sanibel that didn’t exist but were options off the island. I was hopeful about the library option though!

    The Sanibel Public Library is a hidden gem (probably not so hidden, I guess): study rooms equipped with monitors and great internet.

    Library entry

    I love a good library and I find it particularly pleasing to see one that operates like a community center, with resources not just for locals, but for transient workers like myself who need a reliable space to connect and create. They even have laptops for rent!

    The lesson? Sometimes, the path to balancing work and leisure requires a bit of creativity and flexibility. I only work from the road for a few months out of the year, and it’s worth it! But it does require some resilience to make sure I can have productive workdays and relaxing beach evenings.

    Painted shell found outside
    Shell path
    Zoom screenshot
    Artistic phone pic
    Nice sitting area outside my office
    My office space
    My favorite section
    Bougainvillea, my mom’s favorite flower

    For fellow digital nomads considering a stint on Sanibel, know that with a little ingenuity, you can also have your beach life and your work life. The perfect spot might just be hiding in plain sight, like the wonderful public library I discovered.

  • Pivoting, Learning, Thriving: The Antifragile Talent Team

    Pivoting, Learning, Thriving: The Antifragile Talent Team

    I want to chat about something that’s been swirling in my mind for the last week – antifragility in talent acquisition. You know how sometimes life throws curveballs that make you stronger? Well, that’s kind of what antifragility is all about.

    I was first introduced to this concept through Matt, Automattic’s CEO, in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (first in 2013, a couple of times in 2020, and a number of times in our internal company communication). The basic idea? Some things don’t just resist shocks—they actually get better because of them. Makes sense to me!

    Antifragility came up again last week in conversation, and it got me thinking: how does this concept apply to the teams that work on attracting, engaging, sourcing, assessing, and hiring talent? What about employer brand and candidate experiences? What does an antifragile Talent team look like across all these functions? Here’s my take:

    1. Flexible: An antifragile team is always ready to pivot. We constantly reassess and tweak our approach based on the needs of the environment. It’s like how I adjust my watercolor technique based on the mood I’m trying to capture (sorry not sorry for including a watercolor reference)—always adapting.
    2. Multi-talented: Everyone brings something different to the team; some love data analysis, others have amazing networks, and others can make sense of chaos and put processes together. Together, we’re ready for anything.
    3. Knowledge seekers: For this, we go to the Automattic Creed. We never stop learning at Automattic; we learn when we get something right, we learn when we mess up, we learn when we have crucial conversations, it never stops. An antifragile team is a learning machine, staying ahead of the curve on new tech and recruitment strategies.
    4. Data-informed: We don’t just go with our gut – we use data to make decisions and refine our processes. And thusly, we’re able to try new things and see what works and what doesn’t.
    5. Dynamic: Our processes are flexible and ready to change at a moment’s notice. Scale up? Got it. Scale down? No worries. Well, maybe a little worry, but that’s a natural human thing; we just don’t let it block us.
    6. Tech-savvy: We leverage tech to enhance our efforts. We also embrace experimentation, piloting new things, keeping what works, and moving on from what doesn’t.
    7. Optimistic: Challenges? We see opportunities. It’s all about our outlook.
    8. Team players: We don’t work in silos. We’re closely connected with other areas of the business, so we stay on top of what’s important to our colleagues.
    9. Curious: We play out different scenarios to keep us ready for whatever comes our way.
    10. Brand builders: We are always working on making the company look like a place people want to work, like curating your LinkedIn but for your employer brand.
    11. Champions: We know that every interaction with a prospective candidate matters. We are all about creating experiences that make people want to join the team.

    Building an antifragile talent acquisition team isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, mistakes, and a willingness to embrace change. But in a world as unpredictable as a watercolor wash, it’s the key to surviving and thriving.

  • Finding Parallels: Talent Acquisition and Painting

    Finding Parallels: Talent Acquisition and Painting

    The other day, as I was sitting down for to work on a painting, it hit me – there’s a similarity between my art and my day job in Talent Acquisition.

    A blank canvas and a new job opening are both full of potential and also a little daunting. Where do you start? How do you for from nothing to something? How do you turn that emptiness into something amazing?

    Handy AI generated image

    In painting, I’ve learned that rushing rarely leads to my best work—like, never, actually. I think my teams would agree with me that the same is true in recruiting. In fact, I’ve gotten feedback from them that I push for speed too much. Fair feedback and it’s something I’m working on. Sure, we need to fill roles quickly, but finding the right fit? That’s where the magic happens, and that takes time.

    My daily painting habit has taught me that consistency is key. Okay, actually, it’s more like an every-several-day painting habit right now, but for the sake of the story, go with me. Some days, the art flows easily. On other days, let’s just say not every painting gives me joy. But each attempt makes me better. We give ourselves that same grace in Talent to try new things to refine our craft.

    Here’s another parallel: the invisible work. A finished painting doesn’t show all the sketches and do-overs. In Talent, all the relationship-building, tools-refining, and process-tweaking often go unseen, but it’s what makes the difference in the long run.

    When I hit a creative block with painting, sometimes I need to step back, try a new angle, or even work on something else for a while. My teams also try this with our recruiting strategies when they start feeling stale; looking for out-of-the-box solutions.

    I’m not saying Talent Acquisition is exactly like painting. We can’t ignore metrics or stakeholder expectations. But maybe, just maybe, when we bring a touch of artistic thinking to our work, we begin to find new ways to create masterpieces—in the form of amazing teams.

    Loose watercolor beach landscape by yours truly
  • A Birthday Without Her

    A Birthday Without Her

    Today is my mom’s birthday, and I’m caught in a whirlwind of emotions I didn’t see coming. It’s funny how age sneaks up on you – I’ve always thought of myself as pretty stoic, but nostalgia and melancholy are my constant companions these days.

    Since my mom died in October, grief has been playing hide and seek with me. It jumps out at the most unexpected moments, catching me off guard when I least expect it. Everyone says this is how grief works, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

    Family reunion way back in 1980 or thereabouts

    Recently, I found myself at a family reunion. It was primarily for my dad’s side, but after 63 years of marriage, the lines between “his family” and “hers” had long since blurred. So there we were—aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides, all mingling together. It was a fun time! And yet, I spent the entire day teetering on the edge of tears.

    Mom’s absence was like a gaping hole in our family tapestry. She was always such a vibrant presence in the family, her music and her laughter weaving through conversations. She made herself a part of everyone’s lives and cared so much about everyone. Now that thread was missing, and boy, did I feel it.

    The reunion brought home not just my personal loss but a broader sense of life’s impermanence. Looking around at my older relatives, it hit me – our time together is finite. It’s not a morose thought, exactly, but a reminder to treasure these moments. As a mom with growing kids, I’ve also been struck with impending empty nest syndrome, which adds fuel to my melancholy.

    Laughing, with my dad and my aunt

    I don’t think I have a huge lesson here on grief and remembrance, but I’m learning that emotions are complex beasts, and I’m getting more comfortable with tearing up at the oddest times, and I have a deeper appreciation for the time I have with my people.

    On my mom’s birthday, I find myself grateful for the memories we shared and the lessons she taught me. Her absence cuts deep, but it’s bittersweet and also beautiful—just like life itself.

    Mom’s faith in God was the foundation of her life, and it’s always been a comfort to me. The hymns we used to sing together echo in my mind, bringing a sense of peace amidst the sadness. While I miss her physical presence terribly, there’s solace in believing she’s in a better place, free from pain, and reunited with loved ones who went before her.

    As we celebrate her birthday in her absence, I know I’ll see her again. Until then, I’ll keep her memory alive, living out the values she taught me and sharing her stories with my children.

    Helga

    P.S. If you’re dealing with grief too, hang in there.

  • From Easel to Gallery

    From Easel to Gallery

    I’m thrilled to announce that three of my watercolor paintings have been accepted into a local gallery art show! This marks another important milestone in my artistic journey, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my work with a wider audience.

    The path to this moment wasn’t easy. Opening that registration link is always an intense mental challenge. I find myself constantly flipping between fear of rejection and acceptance of whatever outcome awaits. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I suppose will get easier with time, but for now, it’s part of my process.

    Reflection
    Contemplation

    Each piece represents not just hours, but days and sometimes weeks of experimentation, critique, and passion poured onto paper. It’s both exhilarating and humbling to know that these creations will now hang in a gallery for others to see.

    One aspect I’m particularly proud of is the framing for these pieces. I put a lot of thought into choosing frames that I hope complement each painting. My aim was to enhance their visual impact without overshadowing the artwork itself. It’s a delicate balance, but I think I’ve managed to strike it.

    Leisure

    This show is another step in pushing myself to continue growing as an artist and push through the doubts and fears. I’m glad I did it and I’m excited to have these hanging publicly.

    All work is done on Arches watercolor paper, 16X20 frames, with Windsor and Newton watercolors.

    Here’s info on the show if you are in the Albuquerque area:

    Where: New Mexico Art League
    Exhibit: BODY LANGUAGE: Portrait and Figure
    When: July 18 – August 17, 2024
    Reception: August 3, 4 PM – 6 PM

  • Creative Vibes

    Creative Vibes

    Today is Matt’s birthday and all he wants for his birthday is for people to blog, so I’m posting something today in his honor. After all, WordPress changed my life back when I was a stay-at-home mom looking for a creative outlet, so it’s the least I can do.

    I’m behind on announcing that a painting of mine was selected for the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies show in Arizona in April. After being selected for an exhibition in Las Cruces, New Mexico recently, I decided to try again for a bigger show. I was blown away to be chosen by the juror, as the other folks selected have far more experience and are amazing. I’m still pinching myself.

    Here is the piece. I can’t wait to see it hanging on a wall!

    Revelrie, 10×14 on Arches cold press watercolor