Summary

In this episode of the Built by People Podcast, Monet Williams shares her career journey from a student with a passion for people to a leader in organizational transformation. She discusses key influences that shaped her path, including her experiences at McKinsey and the Red Sox, and highlights the importance of understanding employee needs and community engagement. Monet emphasizes the significance of employee resource groups and the need for HR leaders to adapt to constant change in the workforce. She concludes with valuable advice for emerging leaders on facilitating change and making it easier for people to do the right thing.

Takeaways

• Monet describes herself as a 'people nerd'.
• Her early experiences shaped her career path away from engineering.
• She spent 11 years at McKinsey focusing on people and organization.
• Listening to concerns is crucial in high-stakes situations.
• Expanding customer bases can lead to meaningful change.
• Credibility can be a challenge when proposing new ideas.
• Change management requires addressing people's fears and uncertainties.
• Employee resource groups can enhance culture and retention.
• HR leaders should align ERGs with business impact.
• Facilitating change involves removing barriers for employees.

Chapters

00:00 Monet's Career Journey: From Student to Consultant

03:21 Key Influences and Career Shifts

06:11 High-Stakes Decisions and Change Management

09:07 Leadership Strategies and Employee Resource Groups

10:47 Future of HR: Adapting to Change