Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Lewis.
Hi Stacey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for having me. This is super exciting. Being a seasoned HR executive with over 35 years of experience, I am passionate at the workplace. I have witnessed a lot of things in my career. Some things were great, some things were good, some things were okay and some things were downright egregious and unacceptable. When I was growing up through the HR ranks, unfortunately, I was not provided the opportunity to speak my truth. I didn’t have anyone around me to show me the ropes. I was just told, “Don’t make waves.” Keep your mouth closed.” “There’s only room for ONE of you.” “Do what you are told.” While I was obedient to the rhetoric, I knew in my gut and heart that what I was feeling was far from right. So I made the decision that if I ever got into a position of influence (leader), I would change the narrative. Fast forward to many years later, I did just that, and I have been disrupting those old-school ideologies in the workplace ever since. Thus, the birth of my company, HR Interrupted.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! I have hit some professional speed bumps going 100MPH, flipped the car and barely escaped with my life! As difficult as those times were, they taught me how NOT to be as a leader, mentor or professional. As I shared earlier, early in my career, I didn’t have anyone navigating the unknown professional terrain for me. I made a tremendous amount of mistakes and have a lot of career cadavers behind me. In some instances, I wish I could go back and right some of those wrongs, but I can’t. However, what I can do is prevent my team, mentees and others around me from making the same mistakes. I now encourage the individuals in my sphere of influence to be coachable, teachable and to not always have a response for everything. Sometimes it’s best to just let things sit for a moment before commenting. If you do comment, please make sure you know what you are talking about. I also encourage them to be economical with their words. Words mean something and are powerful. When you open up your mouth, you want people to take notice, not wish you would shut up!
By not having a mentor early in my career, I absolutely make sure that my sphere of influence know that they matter. I am often asked what is the key to great mentoring. I always respond, “Don’t let them figure out the hard stuff alone.” It is for this reason, I ride the elevator down to the professional lobby, pick up my team and ride back up with them. This is important because as you rise, you need to be able to successfully navigate unfamiliar territory. Therefore, the need for someone to guide, protect and redirect when needed is imperative. While riding up the professional elevator, you never know what floor (situation) you are going to have to stop on, nor what is waiting for you when the door opens. If you are not equipped or have some assistance, that stop could turn into a stay!
While I recognize this is a metaphor, it is imperative that mentors be actively engaged, accessible, accountable, armed with the truth/realities and authentic! Someone as to be in their corner!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
As the proud Founder/CEO, HR Interrupted. is a nationally recognized consultancy boutique geared to collaborating with HR influencers and business leaders who have true GRIT to unapologetically disrupt those old school workplace ideologies, policies and practices that quite frankly are no longer applicable to today’s thriving workforce. Bottom line, the days and times of making folks feel like they should be happy to have a job or they are just a number are long gone. Just look at the 4.6 million folks that walked away from their jobs in August 2021 for the better. If that is not evidenced enough that the workplace is being interrupted and disrupted, think again!
Our Services Include, but are not limited to:
Advocating with intentionality around your Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy from start to finish (Assessment to Identified Actions)
Conducting HR Interrupted Boot Camp for early and mid-career HR professionals
Facilitating One-on-One Career, Life/Work Blend Conversations and Ladder UP/Ladder DOWN facilitation (Executive Coaching)
Moderating Candid Team Conversations and Team Building Events
Delivering customized learning conversations (trainings) to meet your organization’s development needs
Serving as Keynote Speaker for your next conference or event
As long as the ASK aligns with HRI’s and your organization’s mission, vision and desired deliverables, no connection is too large or too small.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Wow, great question! First, Happiness is relative. I’m about doing YOU! With that said, let’s see what makes ME happy? Well. laughing with my husband and my three young adult children as they tease us about watching the same movie on date night; watching my son play baseball; hearing my youngest baby girl sing (and she can REALLY sing!); talking to my oldest daughter about life’s shenanigans; seeing my mother’s smile and knowing that she still recognizes me after being diagnosed with Dementia seven years ago; being on the stage sharing my story, my passion about the workplace and inspiring those listening to BE super intentional about life and last, but definitely not least, holding my husband’s hand in bed while we fall asleep.
These small but extremely precious moments continue to keep a huge smile on my face.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.hrinterrupted.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrinterrupted
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrinterrupted/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hr-interrupted
