![\"human](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/03\/hr-katherine-header-1280x450-1.png\")
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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our Instructor Spotlight is on one of our three HR Leadership Academy<\/a> instructors, Katherine Burnett.\u00a0<\/span>From working in leadership for the first bank to have a credit card to serving as a leadership development manager f<\/span>or<\/span> T-Mobile, Katherine\u2019s experience allows her to bring a wealth of personal insight<\/span>\u00a0to the Academy<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Her sessions will teac<\/span>h you both the human and business side of\u00a0<\/span>business<\/span>…and how to use knowledge in both areas to be a powerful HR leader.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jeff: What professional HR experience do you bring to the HR Leadership Academy?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Katherine: My first professional job was working in employee benefits for a national insurance company. <\/span>However, my HR experience started when I was able to be the employee benefits specialist for <\/span>the city of\u00a0<\/span>Glendale, Arizona.\u00a0<\/span>After that, I moved to Springfield, MO and<\/span> began working for First Chicago Bank (now Chase) in the bank’s credit card division. First Card (the credit card division) was the largest visa issuer in the world.<\/span> I got my start in recruiting at First Card; we received 3K applicants for the first 50 positions available in the division.<\/span>\u00a0Later, I worked<\/span> on many different projects for First Chicago such as de<\/span>veloping<\/span>\u00a0the curriculum for the first online bank<\/span>\u00a0they opened,\u00a0<\/span>Wingspan! The\u00a0<\/span>oppo<\/span>rtunity<\/span>\u00a0that brought me to Chattanooga was\u00a0<\/span>being hired<\/span>\u00a0as a leadership development manager for T-Mobile.\u00a0<\/span>I was part of the team that created<\/span>\u00a0their <\/span>3-day<\/span> leadership academy for T-Mobile managers (all 10k of them) nationwide. I semi-re<\/span>tired a few years ago to work as a<\/span>\u00a0freelance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>l<\/span>eadership\u00a0<\/span>d<\/span>evelopment\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>onsultant…and become a foster\/adoptive mom! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n J: Wh<\/span><\/b>y is the HR Leadership Academy, and education for our future HR leaders, important?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K: Leaders at any stage in their caree<\/span>r must continue to grow, whether that be by being a mentor or actively participating in an educational program like UTC\u2019s HR Leadership Academy.<\/span>\u00a0(You\u2019ll learn from\u00a0<\/span>being both a mentor and participant<\/span>!) <\/span>When I was immature and inexperienced as a leader, I grew because I had wonderful leaders in HR and in cross<\/span>-functional<\/span> areas that helped me to develop. Part of becoming a strategic HR business leader is not just sitting in a silo and learning solely from HR leaders; it’s also<\/span> learning about how HR is impacting and partnering with leaders in other departments and employees. The Academy will teach you how to have conversations with those you work with in all areas of business. You’ll learn how to <\/span>have critical conversations, move people forward, and the difference between just motivating someone and inspiring them<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>I like to say that I can motivate someone for a\u00a0<\/span>moment<\/span>\u00a0but inspire them for a lifetime<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n J:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Why are the sessions you\u2019re teaching important for HR leaders?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K: I am teaching four different DDI courses: Building & Sustaining Trust, Driving Change, Strategies for Influencing Others, and Coaching: Moving People Forward. <\/span>All of these will teach leaders not to just understand the topics but how to live out what they are<\/span>\u00a0being<\/span> taught and set the example. If I say one thing but act contrary to my words, I am a hypocrite. <\/span>HR leaders need to learn to create and live out the culture of their organization. <\/span>I will coach leaders on how to have crucial conversation<\/span>s around questions like:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If we can better impact someone\u2019s life at work, it will improve their personal life too (and vice versa). The impact will touch the lives of everyone around them, making a true leadership difference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n M: How do you define leadership?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K:\u00a0<\/span>To figure out if you\u2019re a leader, ask yourself, \u201cAm I someone that people are following?\u201d I love the saying, \u201cIf you\u2019re in a leadership position and look behind you, and nobody\u2019s there, you\u2019re just out for a walk.\u201d True leaders r<\/span>ealize the impact they have as a model of culture and behavior and <\/span>realize\u00a0<\/span>that if they are leading well, they will bring people along with them up the ladder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n J: What other qualities make a great HR leader?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K: They understand confidentiality.\u00a0<\/span>Everyone might be complaining about a\u00a0<\/span>situation,<\/span>\u00a0but you\u00a0<\/span>must<\/span> keep the confidential information close. They are strong and can stand up for departments\/employees when needed. They can <\/span>advocate and be a voice<\/span>\u00a0for others<\/span>. Great HR leaders also understand communication styles becau<\/span>se, for example, some employees may prefer to make small talk before having discussions while some may prefer to cut straight to the matter.\u00a0<\/span>You\u2019ll need to communicate differently for different styles<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Also,\u00a0<\/span>great HR leaders are FUN! If you\u2019re in an HR department that\u2019s not fun, you might be in the wrong place if you want\u00a0<\/span>fun. We know how to have fun; we know how to balance what is serious and confidential\u00a0<\/span>and also<\/span>\u00a0how to inspire people.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n J: What advice would you give someone wanting to enter an HR leadership role?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K: Make a conscious effort to get to know people on all levels of your organization. I will never forget when I was working at First Chicago<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and attended the grand opening of their new First Card location in Springfield, MO. <\/span>The<\/span>\u00a0governor, mayor, city council members, bank CEOs, etc.\u00a0<\/span>w<\/span>ere all there in attendance; it was a big deal. Before coming to our <\/span>function, the First Card CEO was late. When he announced why, he told us that he had t<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0meet the important people, aka the call center reps. He asked them about their kids and thanked them for their\u00a0<\/span>hard\u00a0<\/span>work. During his grand opening speech, t<\/span>he CEO<\/span> said that if he didn’t<\/span>\u00a0show up for<\/span> work tomorrow, the company will still run. However, if the call center reps didn\u2019t show up for work tomorrow, First Card <\/span>would shut down.\u00a0<\/span>His words were<\/span> so profound to me because he truly valued the front-line employees and wanted to know them personally. <\/span>Great HR leaders find it to be an honor that they can know people and impact their lives for the better.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Also, I advise finding a confidant in your HR office who you can vent to, confide in, and from whom to get honest feedback. We all need that person. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Never forget what it feels like to be new. In HR, we are generally responsible for onboarding new employees and leaders. We want to set them up for success, and the first 90 days an employee spends at a new company are imperative to their ongoing success. Assist in their transition to their new team.<\/span><\/p>\n Find ways to encourage others. F<\/span>o<\/span>r example, anytime I felt disconnected at work, I would write internal office notes telling people something I appreciated about them. We never know what people\u2019s lives are like outside <\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>work<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>so<\/span>\u00a0it\u2019s nice to pass<\/span> on kindness<\/span> and inspire someone else.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Last, there is a common misconception that HR leaders need to know it all, so they won\u2019t ask for advice, help, or to role-play situations. Find networking opportunities and HR friends to bounce ideas <\/span>off of<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Be a constant learner.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n M: What are a couple of fun facts about you?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n J: Is there anything else you would like to share about the HR Leadership Academy?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n K: I am so excited to share my passion and experience. I am looking forward to learning from participants in the Academy as well. <\/span>It\u2019s an honor to teach and inspire HR leaders to see and love what people come to the table with and how to bring the best out of them. I love being in the people business!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Marah Whitaker (think Laura with an M) serves as the marketing assistant for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, she spends time writing blog posts, creating content for social media, developing email campaigns, and building relationships with CPE\u2019s customer base. During her free time, you can find her getting lost in a good book, having spontaneous dance parties, playing piano, and going to Buffalo Wild Wings on Wing Night. Professionally and personally, she aspires to live by Mr. Feeny\u2019s advice, \u201cDream. Believe. Try. Do Good.\u201d She strives to use her passions to serve others and contribute positively to the world around her.<\/p>\n Connect with Marah on\u00a0LinkedIn.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jeff Grant sees himself as a storyteller, and thankfully, he gets to tell some incredible stories by serving as the marketing coordinator for the UTC Center for Professional Education. During the workday, Jeff can be found implementing new marketing strategies or writing content. When Jeff is away from the office, he could be found hiking the Cumberland Trail, trying new recipes, or getting lost in a good book.<\/p>\n![\"Katherine](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2021\/03\/katherine-headshot-transp-180x180-1.png\")
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\nABOUT THE AUTHORS:<\/h4>\n
![\"Marah](\"https:\/\/marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com\/f00000000184993\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/center-professional-education\/files\/2020\/06\/bio.png?x99666\")
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