First job: I was a horseback riding instructor at a summer camp for kids. I did that for three summers, and got a more senior
role each time. By the third summer, I managed the entire horsemanship program and had a staff. I would have been about
16. For me, it was an amazing opportunity – I had classes to teach, horses to look after and employees to manage.
Childhood ambition: Early in my childhood, I was always very driven to be involved and accomplish something. I worked
every summer and in late high school and university, I had part-time retail jobs. When I got into university, I considered
being a lawyer, working in communications or possibly HR. It was when I finished university that my direction solidified.
Best boss: I don’t think there has been just one. I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve had tremendous people managers. They
were willing and able to give me constructive feedback to help me learn and grow, and they were available to coach and chal-lenge
me when I was trying to apply those learnings. That made a tremendous difference in my career.
Current source of inspiration: For me, I am someone who has to learn, grow and make a difference every day. If I think
about all aspects of my life, that philosophy applies. It’s embedded in my personal belief system and the charities I am in-volved
in. It’s about helping others be successful in order to realize their full potential. That gives me energy and that’s where
experience as an opportunity to learn
and grow. By continuously learning, you
increase your breadth of experience and
overall effectiveness. From an HR lead-ership
perspective, you need to know
the businesses you support and deliv-er
progressive and integrated strategies
that realize results. Twice in my career,
I have taken business roles to increase
my knowledge about the complexities of
running a business and managing a prof-it
and loss statement. I believe that type
of experience has made me a better stra-tegic
HR partner.
HRP: What tips do you have for new
grads, or those in entry-level HR jobs,
who want to move up the ladder?
TL: Get into a role where you can dem-onstrate
your skills and get experience.
Push yourself to deliver your objec-tives
and continually look to improve,
learn and grow. That’s what I believe is
important.
HRP: What is the future of HR?
TL: Increasingly, CEOs are seeing the true
value of HR and leaning on their human
resources professionals. As the speed of or-ganizational
transformation increases, it will
be critical for HR to keep pace and perform
at the strategic level. Being a true business
leader, we will be right there at the table
thinking outside of our discipline and cross-
functionally at the enterprise level. ■
my inspiration comes from.
Best piece of advice: Don’t tell me; show me! A lot of people tell you what they’re going to do, but having a practical solu-tion
and being able to make a difference and have an impact is what really counts.
Last book: I’m an avid reader, and I usually have a few on the go at a time. I read, learn and apply. For me, there are a few
books that have really stood out. One is It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor: Free Yourself From the Hidden Behaviors
Sabotaging Your Career Success by Rebecca Shambaugh. I have also enjoyed many of the John Maxwell, Stephen Covey and
Gallup books.
Time away from work: I really value and protect time for my family, physical workouts and volunteering for organizations,
making a difference locally and in developing countries. Whether travelling, scuba diving or sitting in the backyard, time
with my family recharges me. I start my day with personal reflection time and end it with family time.
IN A NUTSHELL
interview
Ross & McBride LLP
www.rossmcbride.com
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ OCTOBER 2014 ❚ 53
