2024 DisruptHR Speaker: Rebecca Undem

Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?

A: By staying true to be internal values and anchored to the vision I have for the world I want to help create. Also? Good humans. I surround myself with the kind of humans that not only share that vision but operate from a place of hope over fear.

Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?

A: Vulnerability and the ability to create a psychologically safe environment are the two most critical in my opinion. There are many characteristics and skills that lead to a person’s ability to do these two things, but overall, to create a connection with team members, in particular, leaders can’t outsource this key piece of culture.

Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?

A: I cry, vent to one of the amazing humans in my life, look for the lessons, figure out what is within my control, make changes as necessary, and move forward. Setbacks and challenges are par for the course if you’re wired for growth; they can hurt, no doubt. Growth is actually always a little painful and once you realize that, you can view your difficulties as forging your grit and refining your purpose. They’re catalyzing in ways successes never could be.

Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?

A: Be curious and be coachable. If you can approach all your experiences with a lens of learning and growth, you’ll naturally ask the kinds of questions that let you dig deeper and look for the ways you can specifically help. Coachability and the willingness to accept feedback is such a critical skill, especially as it relates to making changes in an organization. Understanding the waters in which you’re swimming and what ideas, practices, and people got the organization to where it is today, is supremely helpful when trying to impact its future.

Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

A: I’m probably a terrible person to ask because when I took on my nonprofit, I basically made the decision that I’d take the compartments off my life and no longer view my work as separate from home and vice versa. While I respect that this doesn’t work for everyone, for me, this “one beautiful life” approach has allowed me to bring my children into my work in a way that keeping them separate wouldn’t. I do have boundaries around email and phone use and take time for myself whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed by projects and impending deadlines. Overall, I think balance is hard to achieve and no one can tell you what’s healthy for you; it’s a delicate internal decision and generally speaking, you know when you’re out of whack. When you feel it, it’s time to make adjustments.

Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?

A: As strange as this might sound given my high value on humans, I’m truly pretty jazzed to watch what’s to come with artificial intelligence. AI is going to revolutionize our lives in incredible ways and because I’d rather be hopeful than fearful, I see the opportunity that lies ahead of us all to be better at being humans. Our ability to connect, empathize, and relate human to human will only grow as AI takes over more of the technical skills that require less human finesse.

Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?

A: I take my growth as seriously as I do my physical health; mental, emotional, and social health are just as critical to our overall sense of well-being. I pursue the experiences, people, and ideas that help me grow. My favorite feeling in the world is that moment when a new idea/concept sparks in my brain and I either see an old thing in a new way or I interact with something I’ve never considered before. It’s like a drug to me.

Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?

A: In my community of Oakes, I’m proud of so many things our small town has achieved, but a standout project to me is the development of our Main Street park. This project required extraordinary coordination among the groups involved, including the involvement of five different Boy and Girl Scouts. We raised the funding for the project entirely by personal invitation. All the parties that came together to see this vision through is such a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and just what kinds of amazing things can happen when the people involved remain openminded and open-hearted.

Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?

A: Establishing a positive workplace culture that isn’t actually toxically positive is the key. Honesty and transparency are necessary conditions. People need to know they can speak their minds freely, without retribution, and that takes serious effort on the part of the owners/managers who lead the charge. Modeling it every day is the only way to effectively build it.

Follow Rebecca Undem