career paths
ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS MANAGING THE
MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE. I’M NOT
THE “POLITICALLY CORRECT” POLICE.
Essential for Human Resources Managers
• Customized reports
• Credible HR data
• Affordable
Critical data to help you
recruit and retain key staff
Try the online demo, FREE at
bot.com/bbdemo
Compensation Report Partner:
this line of work change takes times. You
have to be patient and recognize the fruits
of your labour in different ways. Celebrate
the successful steps you’re taking to
achieve your goals.
Another challenge is managing the
misconceptions people have. I’m not the
“politically correct” police. In most cases, I
don’t want people to be politically correct,
but rather understand differences and authentically
learn how to speak respectfully
with and about others. Being politically
correct doesn’t mean you understand; in
many cases, it is quite the opposite. You’ve
been told what to say and do versus taking
a moment to understand individual differences.
Along those lines are people who
give you lip service that they’ve bought
into diversity because they think it’s the
“right” thing to do. I’d rather have you challenge
me if you’re not sure so that we can
work together to understand why diversity
and equity are important. False support
is much more damaging in the long run
to achieving diversity and inclusion goals.
Very little offends me in my line of work.
The reason I’m here is to educate.
What do you like to do in your spare
time?
ST: I don’t have much spare time with two
little kids. When I’m not working, I love
spending time with my family and being
outdoors. I also like to watch documentaries
– usually about people, culture and
food. n
interest groups. All are key and instrumental
in any change strategy.
How did you come to work in your current
role?
ST: I’ve never mapped out a real plan for
my career in terms of here’s where I’d like
to be in “x” years or this is where I need to
go. I’ve really taken or made opportunities
for myself. In my last role I had wondered
what the next step was, but then when
this role presented itself, it was clear the
next step was to move from organizational
diversity to tackling a larger and much
more complex challenge of diversity in the
trades in Ontario.
What do you like most about your job?
ST: That I am working to make a change
in an area I’m passionate about. I can’t
imagine working without purpose. I think
being authentic is very important and
being able to help people have the opportunity
to show up to work and be their
true and best selves is hugely rewarding.
What does a typical day at work for
you look like?
ST: My days range from meeting with
stakeholders, presentations to hunkering
down at my desk and researching and
determining ways to tackle diversity and
inclusion issues in ways that are effective
across different work environments and
everything in between.
What are some of the challenges you
experience on a day-to-day basis?
ST: My biggest challenge is my expectations.
I’d like to see change now, yet in
60 ❚ FEBRUARY 2016 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL