So, I researched and wrote this entire interview, edited my questions, and then my computer crashed. Buh-bye interview. In a way, it’s befitting that it’s an interview with my friend, Courtney, who is the Global Head of Talent Strategy and Development at The Adecco Group. After I got over the frustration of having over an hour of work go down the drain, I could hear Courtney in my head saying, “take the negative experience and make it into a positive outcome.”
Courtney is one of those people that can identify people’s strengths right away. She’s phenomenal at giving feedback in a productive, positive way. To me, she’s the ultimate builder, because she’s encouraged and pushed me from the moment we became friends. She’s a well-known public speaker, a dynamo in the business world, and a wonderful person. I feel very blessed to have her and her family as part of my family’s “framily”.
Everyone needs a badass friend that sends you a selfie when you ask for a picture of her for your interview.
Hi Courtney! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this.
Where do your confidence and drive come from?
I’ve really been blessed. From a small age my parents always told me I could do anything, and be anyone I wanted to in life. My parents both worked full time jobs, ran a small business and were active youth group leaders in our church. I saw that hard work, determination and being humble went a long way.
How did you find yourself on a path to human resources?
Totally by accident! My first professional job out of University was a retail manager. You have to do everything in this role with minimal guidance. I realized that while actively managing the P&L was essential to exceeding the bonus target I wanted to achieve ... it was the people that made it happen. I just kept gravitating to coaching, development and a true interest in what motivated people.
What experiences do you think have shaped you the most as a business leader?
Two key ones for sure. I worked for a company once that was being purchased before we fell off of the stock market. The change management consultants that were leading the acquisition were horrific if anything. They created more anxiety, fear, and turbulence then we started with and just created a lot of questions in my head. I realized change management was art and science and there HAD to be a better way. I sought out practical experience and my masters to further understand how to do change well.
The second is about management. I took a promotion role once that raised the hair on the back of my neck. I really wished I had listened to my intuition. The leader was absolutely smart and dedicated but didn’t have the self-confidence and ability to foster togetherness nor camaraderie with those they worked with. I was putting out a lot of fires and realized those competencies were important if you wanted to succeed ... and I set out a personal developmental goal to learn from their gaps and hopefully not make too many of my own.
What was the best advice you’ve received that encouraged you in your personal life? Your professional life?
I think the advice is actually the same. Each of us has strengths and gifts to use with the world. It is how we use these strengths that matters most. My life lesson is honesty, integrity and ethics. I need to be able to look myself in the mirror every night and every morning and like who I see there. Having a good night's sleep and a good conscience is everything. Making decisions that supports this is paramount to who I am.
You have an 8-year old daughter. What advice will you give her as she gets older and has to choose her career path?
I certainly hope she listens Cara! I know there were times when I Ignored my mom's advice, but I do still have she and my father, in my head today. I think the most important voice I can bring my daughter is about choices. She can be whomever she wants to in the world. But she needs to make choices that are good for her and those around her. Whether she chooses science and engineering or education and social economics, I want her to use her gifts to make our society a better place for all people regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, age, physical ability, socioeconomic status and so much more.
Part of your job is identifying high-potential people. Do you have any advice for people looking for a new job or are graduating from university to help their resume stand out?
Finding employment in the world is a set of choices, a lot of planning, and a bit of luck. The first choice starts in University. Students should do their best to find work experiences, internships, and projects that allow them to find out what they’re good at and what they actually like to do. It is understanding that their organizational skills have a great impact in project management work. It’s knowing the ability to talk to anyone and have stage presence that allows you a window into anything to do with people and communication. It’s understanding that one gets bored easily and never follows through with an assignment that might mean temp work that changes every six months is the right choice. Know your strengths, gain practical work perspective, and challenge your University experience to be as incredible as possible. And all of those collaboration and team projects the professors assign, those all count as experience on an early resume!
You work for an incredibly progressive company. What guidance do you have for someone who is looking to work in that type of environment and culture?
At the end of the day when I look left and right there’s one thing we all have in common and that is we truly care and have a passion for people. It’s understanding how your gifts and strengths help further that cause. Each person in the world should have an opportunity for meaningful employment, whatever that means for them. Sometimes it’s knowing the right recruiter or consultancy to give career advice and help showcase your talents. That recruitment advisor can help find the best fit company. Often times it’s these relationships that transcend multiple jobs over many years and become friendships. As we become more digital the face behind the mobile app is starting to be missed, but we are human beings and we will find our advocates in the interview process.
You once told me that the best way to master public speaking is by doing it frequently. When you have five minutes to wow someone with a presentation, or during an interview, how would you go about doing that?
Be well prepared. Know your content, have it backed up with data and be able to tell your story so that it grasps human emotion and makes the person want to know more about your topic. And practice! If you are looking down at your piece of paper you’ve missed a critical opportunity. It doesn’t hurt to be a bit provocative or humorous, too. Just don't overdo it!
Lastly, graduation season is upon us. What wisdom would you like to share with the graduating class of 2018?
Be gentle and be generous. Each person you encounter deserves respect, and brings something unique to the world so be gentle with your words and behaviors. But be generous with what you bring, how you use your skills and talents for positive change, and where you choose to leave your fingerprints.
Thank you again for doing this interview. You're such an inspiration to me, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life.