by Janine Nicole Dennis | Mar 13, 2013 | Life
Bio
Hi my name is Bonnie Ungaro. I am a certified human resources and recruitment professional. My love and passion for human resources began 8 years ago while working on my undergraduate degree. As a corporate recruiter I enjoy using a combination of traditional and social recruitment strategies to source top talent. I’m well versed in the areas of sourcing, screening and behavioral interviewing. I also enjoy learning new and innovative ways to connect with talent. I’m a true advocate for the candidate experience and an employer branding enthusiast! You can connect with me on Twitter @bonnieungaro:)
Rocking the Working Mom Role!
Here we are 2013 and we all know the realities regarding lack of total equality for women in the workplace. We know women still make about 30+% less per dollar than a man makes. We know a majority of boards are comprised of men. We know only a small percentage of CEOs for leading organizations are women. We could focus on the gloom and doom of the numbers but that’s not how women operate and that is not how we’ve been able to come so far. We actually use our realities as empowerment to push harder and faster for true equality!
Today’s “leading lady” has many different meanings. Women own the fronts in all aspects of their lives, personal, professional, spiritual and community. Today’s women take the reigns, speak up and do what is right for their careers and families without hesitation. We are inspired and motivated by the stories of successful businesswomen. We gain power in numbers, by connecting with other successful females across the workforce. We share our stories, our challenges and our successes to help each other thrive in this world.
However, with great success always comes a form of sacrifice. We are faced with these decisions every day; whether it be personal or professional sacrifice. What were once barriers are now just fun obstacles to overcome in this adventure race we call life. My obstacle was broached when I made the decision to work part time for family reasons. I would have preferred full time work from home for that perfect blend, but I’m happy with being granted this option for work-life balance. However, as time passed I realized the negative impact this decision would have on my career development and my ability to advance.
At first, I was feeling defeated and frustrated that my career would be on hold. I decided to redirect that negative energy into overcoming this obstacle. I’m challenging myself to grow professionally outside of the workplace by continuing my graduate program, completing certifications, joining community organizations that support young professional growth, growing my network and suggesting more projects at work. I’ve even begun a “mini” mentor program for myself. I am connecting with HR and Talent Acquisition industry leaders both nationally and locally, and specifically identifying other successful businesswomen. This direct knowledge will enable me to learn and grow quicker than the traditional workplace-mentoring program because I am utilizing as many avenues as possible to gain knowledge in a short timeframe.
In addition to pursuing growth outside of the workplace, I am taking a more aggressive approach at work by keeping the dialogue with my boss open and honest. Sharing my ideas, thoughts, and expectations for my career path. I’m bold at times, I’m not afraid to ask for more money, for a promotion or for clear career path plans; it’s the only control I have over my destiny. Why die saying “I wish I would have….” , I would rather day “I glad I asked for….”.
All of my efforts and connections are aiding my development, with the hopes that once I’m ready for full time, in the office employment, that I’ll have enough experience and knowledge to advance immediately or quicker than if I had not taken such an aggressive external approach.
Today’s leading ladies are not only rocking the workplace, but we are rocking our home lives and giving back to our communities in significant ways. We see every opportunity in life and work as an opportunity to grow, learn and lead! The meld of motherhood and work is still a great challenge but one worth taking on. In the grand scheme of life, while the professional development feels good nothing beats the time with our families. Our families, our children create the memories that fill our hearts with pure joy, and our lives with the most meaningful happiness. Today’s businesswoman can have it all. We are overcoming hurdles everyday and gaining momentum and power with each and every move. Its not easy but we do it because we ROCK!
by Janine Nicole Dennis | Mar 12, 2013 | Life
This is the third post in my “Leading Ladies” series. I am excited to present Ms. Lexie Forman-Ortiz, Community Manager Extraordinaire forSmartRecruiters. Fresh voice and friend to the Social HR blogging space. Watch her do her thing on Twitter @LexieFO.
When we think of what it means to be a, “Leading Lady,” there are the obvious trailblazers of the XX chromosome kind. Susan B. Anthony fighting for our right to vote, Marie Curie the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, Rosa Parks changing the tide of the Civil Rights Movement, the Oprahs, the Mother Theresas, the list goes on. But then there are the unsung heroes too. These are the women we grew up with, our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, and friends.
Leading Ladies of the 21st Century are women who have it all, and get to be proud of it.
My paternal grandmother raised four boys as a single mother in San Francisco during the 1960s. My maternal grandmother left Nicaragua with her family for political asylum, when she got to San Francisco she made a life for herself and her family despite her immigrant status. She raised four girls, and operated almost everything behind the scenes of my Grandfather’s business endeavors. Leading Ladies? Of course they are. But they didn’t have the opportunities we do now. Career options were limited, and if they were rightfully pissed about their status as second-class citizens who would listen? Today, all we have to do is blog about it or tweet; suddenly we have the entire world as our audience.
My career has only just begun, before working at SmartRecruiters I had held a series of part time jobs, but never anything I have felt as invested in as this. I started at SmartRecruiters as an intern. After a few months, the growing company created a position for me and I became the Community Manager. That’s not to say it was easy. I was supposed to be coming in part time, but soon it was 5-days a week. I took on responsibility that I would argue most interns don’t get a chance to even think about. At SmartRecruiters they trusted me and empowered to take part in the company’s brand regardless of the fact I was an intern. This is upward mobility, something that my Grandmothers even my Mother were not able to achieve so easily if at all. Today we have the opportunity to work hard and know that it will propel us to whatever place we want to be.
I’ve never felt like anything has held me back.
As a minority and woman, I felt like I had something extra to prove to earn my place but it felt more like motivation than anything. I think we are getting to a place where we no longer have to have the chips on our shoulders about getting recognition or what we deserve. My entire life I have been given choices about what I wanted my next move to be. My biggest struggle has been options. And isn’t that a beautiful thing?
Ladies we have arrived.
Really we’ve always been here, but now we get to say something about it. I am lucky to have come from a line of such strong willed women. Throughout my childhood, my Grandmothers constantly pushed me to be the best I could be. That may sound cheesy, but it’s true and it’s what made me who I am. They wanted more for me than they had for themselves. My paternal Grandmother passed on the strength she has it takes to raise three boys all alone, constantly showing me what independence looks like even in the face of adversity. My maternal Grandmother taught me empathy, and dedication, she taught me the importance of listening first and reacting second. Being a leading lady is easier for me today not only because the social climate has changed, but because I had role models to show me how to get here.
Each generation of women in family has found away to rise above the circumstances of the prior. We have a firm tradition of building each other up. My Mom became a department chief without finishing college; her example of hard work came from generations before her. My Mom gave me the strength and confidence to push for college, and set out to get whatever job I wanted. If growing up in a family full of strong women has taught me anything it’s that the best thing we can do for women as a whole, is empower one another. What I have come to learn is that we can only gain from teaching each other, and sharing our knowledge and experiences. There’s no room cattiness because we’ve worked too hard on our way up to tear each other down.
by Janine Nicole Dennis | Mar 7, 2013 | Life
This is the second post in my “Leading Ladies” series. I am excited to present Christine Assaf, my partner-in-crime for LASHRM this year and a respected voice in the Social HR space.
Christine Assaf is an experienced HR Professional with a passion for Social Media. Blogging for over three years Christine started HRTact.com, a professional blog, that talks about all these HR related – both from the manager and employee perspective. You will often find her on twitter exchanging HR wisdom from “behind the scenes.” A conference speaking veteran, Christine enjoys helping job seekers with skills assessment, resume review, and mock interviews and coaching executives on best strategies. She is also an active participant in Toastmasters, plays Dungeons & Dragons, and loves football and running. Christine’s wit and charm light up the “internet” with the perfect combo of HR knowledge and snarky. You can connect with Christine on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Leadership Failures & Growth
My eyes welled up and the lump in my throat swelled as I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. I started to cry… in front of my boss… and the words he said to comfort me I’ll never forget.
My first managerial experience was working for a local YMCA as the Membership Services Director. I started as a part-timer and had worked my way up over the years. They invested in me with training, college assistance – the people were like family, the place like home. My boss gave me my first management stint when I was only about 20 years old. I was in charge of the small nursery/daycare center within the Y. It was only a handful of employees – part-time college students, stay-at-home moms, etc. who watched people’s children during workouts and gym time.
About a month or two into my newest responsibility, I was called into my boss’ office. He sat me down and handed me a letter. It was addressed to my boss and voiced concerns about my management. They said I was condescending. That I didn’t care about them. Made their complaints and needs seem petty and how the workers felt I was unfit to be their boss.
Ouch.
As I held the letter in my hand my face felt hot, I held back the tears as best I could, but I knew my boss could see my pain. I felt hurt, betrayed, angry, disappointed, and confused all at the same time. It was at this moment he said the following to me:
“This is a moment in your management career you won’t forget. You have two choices. You can take what they said, be angry about it, blame them for going over your head, and take it out on them. Or you can reflect on it, find out where you went wrong, see if there’s any truth in it, and try to do better. In either case, you need to address it, with them. How you respond – is up to you.”
This story defined my earliest management experience and formed me into the career woman I am today. It’s a simple lesson. My career has been filled with simple learning lessons – miscues, communication problems, failures – I’ve had the lot. But the key takeaway from any experience is the ability to reflect upon one’s own self and recognize when there’s a need to change. Introspection.
From a young inexperienced manager to a successful HR practitioner I have come a long way with many learning lessons. I went on to work for that YMCA for another 4 years then left to go back to school for a Business Management degree. Thereafter I landed amazing positions that helped me to grow into the HR lady I am today. Each with their successes and failures, but all of them with great experience.
My boss was right; it’s a moment I have never forgotten. I’ll always remember that moment in that office where I felt like my career was tumbling down. In retrospect, that moment was when it began.
by Janine Nicole Dennis | Mar 4, 2013 | Life
This is the first post in my “Leading Ladies” series. I am honored and humbled that Alli Polin is my first leading lady.
Biography
Alli Polin is Founder and CEO of Break the Frame, LLC. As a leadership coach, consultant and speaker, Alli focuses her work with people and organizations that are ready to break from the status quo, lead, and engage with renewed passion and purpose. You can connect with Alli on her blog www.breaktheframe.com or on Twitter @AlliPolin.
Leadership Reflections from Alli Polin
Leading Ladies of the 21st century are fortunate. We have paths available to us that our parents and grandparents never contemplated. We redefine what it means to have it all, intentional about our choices and leaders of our own journeys. Here’s mine…
When I meet people on Social Media I think I confuse them. My profile says I live in Australia, which I do, but I am not Australian. I’m an American expat living in the Outback, a 16-hour drive from the nearest city. My story started in Philadelphia, moved to DC Metro, a few more unexpected turns, and here I am running a global consultancy and executive coaching practice from the middle of nowhere.
I was always one to do the unexpected. Being told, “I can’t” made me want to show the world “I can!” After all, if we don’t believe in ourselves, who will?
In college I was told: It’s not possible for a Sociology Major to get a position with a top management consulting firm. I was hired and thrived.
In consulting I was told: We’ve never tried that approach and this is important. My team trusted my ideas and together we took traditional training and successfully flipped it on its head.
In HR I was told: We’ve done this for a long time. You’re over your head- do it my way because I said so. I took on one project after another, built relationships, and implemented programs that humanized HR.
Leadership lesson #1: Believe in what’s possible, and the roadblocks move out of the way.
My first job was not my forever job. I made a choice that shocked many people who only knew the driven, career-focused Alli. I quit my job to stay home with my children full-time. I said “no” to the travel and long hours and said, “yes” to my marriage, family and figuring out who I am without my title.
Leadership lesson #2: Every time we say no to something, we say yes to something else.
Happily, a career detoured is not a career derailed. After 11 years in the workforce in senior roles, many women told me that leaving meant I had to say goodbye to my career forever. I felt caught between the judgment of my stay-at-home and working friends for my personal career choices. Ultimately, I decided I’d be a better Mom if I had a career too. Thanks to my network, I on-ramped as the head of a Talent Management consulting practice for an RPO provider.
Leadership lesson #3: The naysayers are projecting their own fear; listen to your own heart and gut.
The career achiever in me was unleashed once again. I was on the go as a VP of People and Innovation for a large Fortune 500 company. People would ask me, “How do you do it all?” Here’s my secret, I didn’t. I not only had a team at the office, but also a team at home including my husband, friends and a full-time live-in nanny.
Leadership lesson #4: No woman is super woman. We all make choices and we all make sacrifices.
Turns out big titles don’t make me happy, but doing great work that I am passionate about does. I finally made the leap and started my company partnering with individuals, leaders, and organizations that are no longer willing to accept “because that’s the way we’ve always done it” as an acceptable choice.
Leadership lesson #5: I am not my title and success is not one size fits all.
Now, here I am, an expat in the Australian Outback, proving that change is an opportunity to find strength and creativity. I’m living an adventure, playing more and having fun while continuing to build my business from the opposite side of the globe.
Leadership lesson #6: Enjoy the journey.
Given all of the choices and possibilities available to us today, have women leaders “arrived?” I believe that the answer is “not yet” – but we’re on our way. Women need to support one another, not judge who is on the right or the wrong path.Leading Ladies of the 21st century need to fully embrace the truth: there is more power in WE than ME.
by Janine Nicole Dennis | Feb 27, 2013 | Life
Hey #HR Aristocrats! The month of March is special to me. On one hand, it is the month that this little Czarina was born. I will be celebrating my 30th birthday proudly and loudly (Editor’s Note: If any of you tweet or write a single comment referring to me as a “baby”, it is going to be a problem. Forewarned is forearmed. *wink wink*) On the other end of the spectrum, it is Women’s History Month.
Both of these occasions have me feeling empowered as a woman. I am empowered by my mom and my two living grandmothers. I am empowered by my maternal great-grandmother who raised three children on her own all while sewing for the best of the best in Guyana, South America to support herself. She was beyond wise and a pistol. I am also empowered by my girlfriends- a small circle of trust as I call them, but nonetheless fabulous. I cannot forget the most important women-in-progress; the little women I have been blessed to give birth to.
Interestingly enough, the women I have met through social media and blogging have inspired me as well. Whether it is a tweet or a blog post these ladies are inspiring me daily to be better, to be bold, to be vulnerable and to show humility. These are not concepts that are new to me, but they are regularly being reshaped and redefined as I continue to learn from each of these fabulous ladies.
Clearly, there are many extraordinary women in this space. They are too numerous to mention and certainly all could not be properly honored within one month.
As such, I have handpicked a group of women in HR, business, and social media that I have asked to contribute to a new series here at TAOHR called “Leading Ladies”. I have never met any one of them in real life, but they all have an aura, presence and soul that exudes strength, integrity and an a ability to impact this thing we call the world of work in a major way. They are mothers, daughters, wives, entrepreneurs, bloggers, early careerists and so much more. In a nutshell, they are phenomenal women.
I have plenty to be thankful for turning 30 years of age in March. I have accomplished much and I still have plenty more ground to cover. Rather than celebrating my birthday on the day of with some cheesy birthday/HR post, I would prefer to celebrate the audacious and awesome women that I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with.
I will not share who is in the lineup, because I like to keep my readers in suspense. However, I can say that you will agree that these gals are all that and a gazillion bags of chips after you hear their stories. This is not about another HR lesson. This series is about the triumphs, obstacles and tribulations of being a woman in the 21st century. Compelling enough? I think so.
Stay tuned! The first post in the series will go-live on Monday, March 4th.
Poem: A Woman’s Beauty
The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman
With passing years only grows!
– – – written by Teresa Mahieu
by Janine Nicole Dennis | Nov 12, 2012 | Life
I’m sure I’m not alone in the ridiculousness that is keeping every e-mail,unnecessary cc’s, back-up paper copies of work documents, saved voicemails-you get the picture. No, I’m not a packrat or hoarder. However, somewhere along the line a paradigm of saving everything you do was handed down to me as the“norm”. It became the norm because someone, somewhere decided we all need a way to “cover our asses” if called on the carpet for not doing something important. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing better than being able to send that sweet c.y.a. e-mail that quickly puts a person’s selective amnesia and/or bashing to rest.The point is- it is tiring and pointless. Why is it tiring and pointless? Let’s get to it.
C.Y.A. or covering your ass takes precious time. It is not time well spent. It is time you take away from other important tasks to prove that you did your job. You have to find the folder, then the date the occurence happened on and then it requires further discovery to find the precise spot where you completed the task or said the very thing you are accused of not doing.
This brings me to why it is pointless. It is pointless, because it can all be avoided if people were held accountable at all levels. Accountability is not just for staff it applies to leadership as well. You don’t get to stop reading e-mails properly or not at all because you’re a leader. You don’t get to omit bits and pieces of information because you’re the big dog. You don’t have the luxury of regularly forgetting what is going on in your space, with your team and business-because you have a title. I’m not going to pick on leaders alone. You don’t get to call yourself a professional and do any of the above either. Mistakes happen. I’m not talking about occasional mistakes or slips of memory. I’m talking about a blatant lack of accountability.
Accountability ensures that all parties involved acknowledge their duties and take genuine responsibility for the completion of those duties and/or the lack thereof. If leaders and professionals alike hold themselves to this standard-why would we need to constantly c.y.a. ? We wouldn’t need to, because everyone would own what they did or didn’t do. If you didn’t follow up on something, you would say I didn’t do it, apologize and complete the task. Isn’t that far more productive than acting like you did something and having people search their archives only to prove you wrong? This is counterproductive behavior and I am frankly tired of it.
We are all busy, spread thin and overburdened with duties. It is understandable for things to slip your mind. Here’s a fact: employees don’t enjoy feeling like they have to create and keep a deposition for every action they take in business.Champion accountability and there will be less of a need to cover your ass. I say trash the c.y.a. shuffle and hold people accountable at all levels.
What do you all think? Is there a place for c.y.a. in the workplace or is it counterproductive?
