My HR Writings

Speaking of Human Resources. Why are you using a term from 1958? Seriously. “Human Resources” is the most unhuman phrase I’ve ever heard. Sixty years later it is time we send HR off with love into its historical past.

In 2015, I set out to revolutionize HR from the inside out. Opportunity knocked. I got promoted to HR Director at a school district in Washington.

First change: our role. HR practitioners had to stop being paper pushers and order takers. Technology killed that job. We are advisors. HR is about giving advice. We hear our administrators. We ask good and sometimes pointed questions. Then we provide solutions.

The directive to my team was clear. I put it in writing to the whole department. “Our role isn’t to be ‘red tappers.’ We provide solutions. But we also provide caution, warning our administrators when proceeding with a certain decision carries legal jeopardy. That is a real threat when making human capital decisions. We are not paper-pushers.”

The premise is simple. We have a special obligation to our people. Treat them as humans, not assets. So I set a naming convention that respected their humanity and still managed credentials, benefits, and licensure.

12.2018 LinkedIn Bio

I have this crazy idea. What if we love what we do and amazing things happen? What if we develop, encourage, and enable our team to be exceptional, and we change the industry?

I know it is possible. I have seen it happen. I worked for that employer while perfecting my craft in banking and operations.

I served as Chief Strategist for SBM, managing an enterprise of 60+ employees and several brands. As VP, Operations and Talent Management, I set out to bring my ideas to fruition. Startup environments are fun and chaotic. I spent the first six months building systems and coaching managers to expect excellence from everyone, themselves included. I introduced a service delivery model for sales and a service recovery model for managers. Sales skyrocketed.

Growing the startup taught us we needed tighter inventory controls and better production management. Through hard work, great food, and grit, we took care of business. We brought in the right people and kept building.

Being an advisor is not easy. Laws and regulations shift constantly. That is why I pursue workshops, seminars, and certifications. How can I lead teams to success without being a lifetime learner?

As a bilingual dual citizen, I seek new opportunities and experiences. Project-based, consulting, full-time. Game on.

Need help solving a complex or pressing issue? Let’s talk.

2.2019 LinkedIn Bio

I focus on the health of the organization. I look at the big picture and keep it moving. Someone has to zoom in, find the obstacles holding teammates back, and study how decisions ripple across the ecosystem. I enjoy that work.

Our leadership team works in unison to remove the “chatter” that hits when you scale a company. I look at systems and make sure they sync to create organizational clarity.

I am a pragmatic optimist. I am excited for new opportunities that get properly vetted. I also enjoy exploring ideas and theories, because that is where innovation sparks. A proud ENTJ. Once enough discussion has happened and every voice has been heard, it is time for a vote. Being the tiebreaker is not a problem.

Serving as project principal on major enterprise projects is exciting. We work as a laser-focused team to hit aggressive goals with hard deadlines. Well-managed projects energize me. Being radically truthful is not fun, but it is necessary. It keeps consistency and accountability. That is how we move in the same direction.

I love working on teams. I also know there is important individual, thankless work that holds the organization together.

Through hard work, great food, and grit we take care of business. We brought in the right people and we are still building.

Being an integrator and advisor is not easy. Laws and regulations keep shifting. That is why I keep training. How can I lead teams to success without being a lifetime learner?

As a bilingual dual citizen, I seek new opportunities and experiences. Project-based, consulting, full-time. Game on.