The Human Element of HR: Leading with Humanity and Humility
Summary:
In this episode , we sit down with Brittany Burton, the CPO of OrgShakers, who is known for breaking the mold of traditional HR perceptions. Recording live from the HR Transform conference, Brittany and Dr. Jim delve into the misconceptions surrounding HR leaders and explore how they can transcend stereotypes and positively impact company culture.
Our conversation kicks off with Brittany's background in human resources and her evolution into a consultant role at Shakers.org. She shares her journey of recognizing her passion for creating and building within organizations, which naturally guided her into consultancy. In the spirit of busting myths, Brittany challenges the dated notion that HR leaders lack fun and approachability, advocating for HR professionals to be integrated and engaged with their teams on a personal level.
Brittany then addresses how HR leaders can shed the dreaded "principal's office" image by showing humility and humanity within their roles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your workforce and aligning HR strategies with company-wide visions.
Chapters:
0:00:00
Introduction and overview of the work at Shakers
0:01:01
Myth: HR leaders aren't fun
0:02:06
Overcoming the perception of HR as the "principal's office"
0:03:18
Importance of understanding people and being a strategic partner
0:03:24
How to get in touch with Brittany Burton
Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk
Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung
Connect with Brittany Burton: linkedin.com/in/blburton
Music Credit: winning elevation - Hot_Dope
Join us at HR Impact to learn and connect with a community of HR leaders just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.
Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest HR resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagerocket.co/hrimpact
Transcript
Brittany Burton: Thanks for having me.
Dr. Jim: Brittany, tell us a little bit about the work that you do at org shakers.
Brittany Burton: OrgShakers does capital, human capital consultancy of all kinds. So my work in particular is typically in the fractional space anywhere from a founder led startup of one to a massive global organization going through some type of transformation or a special project, maybe relocating to another country.
Dr. Jim: How did you get involved in that space?
Brittany Burton: I started in corporate HR, worked my way up the ladder and found an opportunity to establish a new facility for one of those large fortune 500 corporations. Once I took that role, the rest was history. Folks kept asking if I would come and join their team to do what I had done for the previous employer and eventually decided, you know what, I really enjoy this.
I enjoy building and creating and not so much the continuous improvement stage. I should be a consultant and rest is history.
Dr. Jim: You ready to [:Brittany Burton: Let's do it.
Dr. Jim: What we're talking about all week with senior and executive people leaders Is about the HR and leadership myths that you just wish would die.
So what's yours?
Brittany Burton: The one I wish that would just die is that HR leaders aren't fun. And if I tell you what I mean by that is we should be fully integrated with our people. We should be able to know who they are. We should know what they enjoy, what their passions are. Is it their children and their children's sporting events?
Do they play in a rock band? And really engaging with our folks and showing who we are in that capacity to, we are people, we are human. We all enjoy having joy and fulfillment. And when we can bring that to work, when we bring our whole selves to work, it also creates a culture of safety and transparency, it makes you more human.
n the workplace are way more [:Dr. Jim: I'm going to need you to leave Brittany alone. So when she says this, but let's dig in. I know you want HR to be seen as more fun, but come on. It's like going to the principal's office. So how can HR get out of that perception that people have, that it's only a function that gets you in trouble.
Brittany Burton: I love that you brought that up because the number of times I've heard that they're going to the principal's office when I, they have to see me or we're having a meeting is, I don't know. I'd be a rich woman with dollars. Again, it's the human element of what we do. How can we lead the human resources of an organization, but not show humanity, show humility.
So get out on the floor meet your folks, spend time with those teams. My first job in HR, I was required to be out of the office for two hours daily, which meant go meet your people, be with your teams, attend meetings, ask if you can join them on a task, learn their role, what are they doing for work? So fully engaged and learning.
The [:Dr. Jim: I appreciate you sharing that. So if people want to continue the conversation with you, Brittany, what's the best way for them to get in touch with you?
Brittany Burton: They can find me on LinkedIn. We also have org shakers. com or Brittany at org shakers. com. It's my email.
Dr. Jim: Awesome.
