interview
Bonnie Flatt is all about taking the
road less travelled. Describing
herself as “a lawyer and HR executive
by training, and a coach by
calling,” Flatt has enjoyed a multi-faceted
HR career that has spanned close to
three decades. Her professional achievements
are a testament to her lifelong dedication
to explore every possibility and
her willingness to blaze her own unique
career trail.
Following an undergrad degree in biology
and biochemistry, Flatt changed course
and went into law school. After articling,
she realized the law as a profession wasn’t
for her, so she took a job at Mercer, a global
consulting firm which was ramping up its
pension legal department at the time. After
18 years specializing in pension consulting
and executive compensation, Flatt
moved on, first taking a senior HR role at
MDS, a global life sciences company, and
then a consulting job with PricewaterhouseCoopers,
during which time she also
enrolled in some coaching courses.
Within the first hour of her first course,
Flatt knew she had found her calling. In
2009, she struck out on her own, abandoning
the corporate world in favour of
a full-time career in executive coaching.
HR Professional invited Flatt to reflect
on her career, her values and why starting
her own business is the best decision
she’s ever made.
HRP: How and when did you decide
upon an HR career?
BF: Quite honestly, I never thought of HR
as a career. I was always interested in people,
and what drove their behaviour. The
job at Mercer sort of found me, instead of
me finding it. It allowed me to get metricsfocused,
and deal with the dynamics of
people and relationships.
HRP: Describe your job today.
BF: Today I’m self-employed, which I
never thought I would be. As a partner
in MasterCoaches, an executive coaching
firm, my goal is to create great places
to work. I coach individual leaders (from
team leaders to the C-suite) and their
teams, and facilitate transformational
workshops. My end goal is to challenge
people to create cultures where politics
evaporate, silos break down and there is a
sharing of knowledge and a community of
interest created – that’s where innovation
and possibility really flourish! I help people
develop their influencing skills, their
leadership presence and style and determine
their brand. I see myself as Cultural
Yoda – it’s about connecting one person at
a time to who they are as leaders from the
inside out, and to bring joy and fun back
to work.
HRP: What do you love about your job?
BF: I love helping people to see possibilities
and then make a change. I love connecting
with people and guiding them to
be their best. I get to deal with so many
different individuals and cultures – they
all energize me.
By Lisa Gordon
Illustration by Alexaldo / Photos.com
Cultural Yoda
Bonnie Flatt, SHRP
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ FEBRUARY 2014 ❚ 75