By Lisa Gordon
Sandra Smith likes to step back and look at the big picture.
As vice president, Our People and chief human resources officer (CHRO) at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ont., Smith never loses sight of how human resources decisions impact the entire organization. It’s a useful thing to remember in her role, where she oversees people policies that affect the hospital’s 3,000 staff members, 600 physicians and 1,000 volunteers.
Smith sat down with HR Professional to discuss lessons learned during her 15-year career in human resources, and shared her thoughts on the continuing evolution of the profession.
HRP: How and when did you decide upon an HR career?
SS: I’ve had a few careers, but when I started nursing I became involved with the union leadership. I was interacting with human resources on a regular basis, and learned a lot about the role of HR. In fact, it was the director of that HR team who talked to me about careers in human resources. So, my career evolved from my work in a union leadership role.
HRP: What was your first HR job?
SS: I was an HR generalist at Trillium Health Centre, providing the full suite of HR services plus a sub-specialty in compensation and benefits. I had worked on the floor as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) for about six years, and then moved into HR for nine years. Having worked on the units delivering care to many patients, I truly understood the business of the hospital. I think that differentiated me as an HR leader in that industry.
HRP: Describe your job today.
SS: At Southlake Regional Health Centre, I am responsible for all people practices across the organization, including overseeing HR, occupational health, safety, wellness, diversity, community relations, privacy and organizational development. I am also the executive liaison for our 200-bed long-term care facility, Southlake Village.
HRP: What do you love about your job?
SS: I love the ability to impact peoples’ environments. It’s really about the connection with people, and creating policies and practices that make this a better place to work, to practice, to volunteer. That’s really my passion.
HRP: What are the challenges of your job?
SS: One of the biggest challenges in health care is the lack of funding. You have to be really creative as an HR leader to design and implement programs and approaches that are fiscally responsible. We don’t have access to large budgets. We have to work together and collaborate with our partners in health care to ensure better outcomes. Separately, I think a general challenge for all of us is to continue to build HR as a strategic business partner. How do we contribute to our organization’s success while demonstrating HR’s value proposition?
HRP: What’s the key to leading HR during a difficult time for a client organization?
SS: Remember to look at things with different lenses. One is at the individual level, such as the people who work there, and also the team level and the organizational level. In challenging times, we need to step back and think from a systems perspective, but also be able to bring it right down to the individual level. As well, it’s important to ensure the majority of your work is transformational. Use the same principles and apply them consistently for better effectiveness across the organization. In my past, I’ve been very transparent about sharing the principles we use, and that helps people understand how we influence and impact change.
HRP: What skills are important for success in HR?
SS: The three specific leadership competencies I would highlight are developing coaching skills, understanding systems thinking and business acumen – all are critical for any HR professional in today’s world.
HRP: What tips do you have for new grads or those in entry-level HR jobs who want to move up the ladder?
SS: There are two key learnings I would like to pass on. First, ensure you have a mentor who can help you develop as an individual professional. Second, work to develop a network of peers and keep up to date with your profession – tap into your network, learn from it and share. Both of those things have really supported my success throughout my career.
HRP: What’s the future of HR?
SS: The HR profession continues to evolve. I’m not sure we’ve been able to fully demonstrate that concept of HR as a strategic business partner across all industries yet. I think we’ll see that developing as we continue working side by side with leaders to contribute to an organization’s success. HR is truly making strides when it comes to impacting business. It continues to transform as a profession. As a senior HR executive in Ontario, I have seen a difference in the last 10 to 15 years in terms of the ability of HR to influence organizations.
In a Nutshell
First job: I was a librarian’s assistant at the New Toronto Library when I was 12.
Childhood ambition: I wanted to be an accountant because I loved numbers. Originally, I started to follow that path and then early on, I realized I wanted to move into nursing.
Best boss and why: I’ve been very fortunate in my career. I’ve had a number of great bosses, and the thing they all had in common was that they were excellent coaches and helped me develop professionally. I continue to stay in touch with all of them.
Current source of inspiration: I think my current source of inspiration is really about making a difference. Where I am in my career, I have a great opportunity to develop and impact other people. It’s inspirational for me to see other people succeed and grow.
Best piece of advice I ever got: One of my previous bosses, Caroline Brereton, advised me to always think from a systems perspective. Apply a systems lens – step back and look at it, and understand the impact of your decisions at a systems level.
Favourite music: I was at a Jim Cuddy concert recently. My favourite band is Blue Rodeo.
Last book you read: Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time by Margaret Wheatley. I am reading it again for the second time – I always have a leadership book going, to be honest.
How do you spend your time away from work? I spend it with my family – my husband and two sons. We try to get out and golf, see Blue Jays games and spend time together.