Former U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a keynote address at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) annual conference, SHRM25, held at the San Diego Convention Center. Addressing an audience of over 20,000 human resource professionals, Biden shared insights from his extensive political career, focusing on the importance of empathy, respect, and integrity in leadership.
Biden began by reflecting on his early life lessons, particularly emphasizing the dignity of work. He recounted advice from his father, stating, “A job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It’s about your dignity.” This principle, he noted, has guided his approach to leadership throughout his career.
Drawing from personal tragedy, including the loss of his first wife and daughter in a car accident in 1972, Biden underscored the significance of prioritizing family. He shared that during his tenure as Vice President, he encouraged White House staff to attend family milestones over work commitments, reinforcing the idea that leadership involves understanding and supporting employees’ personal lives.
Biden emphasized that effective leadership requires courage and a willingness to share credit. He stated, “At some point in our lives, in ways large and small, all of us are called upon to show bravery.” He urged leaders to do the right thing, even at the risk of their own job security, and to recognize the contributions of their teams.
He also highlighted the role of HR professionals in shaping workplace culture, encouraging them to “keep seeing everyone’s value” and to help employees recover from setbacks. “This is the kind of leadership you need right now. … ,” he concluded.
Despite stepping back from public office after withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, Biden revealed he remains actively engaged behind the scenes. He disclosed that he is working on a memoir focusing solely on his four-year presidency, with a targeted completion date of March. Additionally, he mentioned receiving calls from European leaders seeking his advice on international matters, particularly in light of his past efforts in strengthening NATO and confronting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Biden expressed concern over the rollback of several of his administration’s policies by the current administration. “Many of the things I worked so damn hard [on] that I thought I changed in the country are changing so rapidly,” he lamented.
In May, Biden announced his diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Despite health challenges, he remains active, traveling weekly to Washington, D.C., for meetings and maintaining regular communication with both Democratic and Republican colleagues. He also shared his joy in spending more time with his family, including daily contact with his grandchildren.
When asked how he wished to be remembered, Biden responded, “Being a good father,” highlighting the personal values that continue to guide his life and leadership philosophy.
SHRM25, held from June 29 to July 2, 2025, featured over 375 sessions and attracted thousands of HR professionals from around the globe. The conference focused on emerging trends in the workplace, including AI advancements, regulatory changes, and strategies for fostering inclusive and resilient organizational cultures.
