2024 DisruptHR Speaker: Sabrina Olsen, Director of Talent, Great State Construction and Collective · Fargo INC!
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2024 DisruptHR Speaker: Sabrina Olsen, Director of Talent, Great State Construction and Collective
It’s time to break the mold of who we see as the ideal hire. By bringing “misfits” into our organizations, we can unlock new potential through unconventional talent.
In shortIt’s time to break the mold of who we see as the ideal hire. By bringing “misfits” into our organizations, we can unlock new potential through unconventional talent.
3 things to know
1Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
2It’s time to break the mold of who we see as the ideal hire.
3By bringing “misfits” into our organizations, we can unlock new potential through unconventional talent.
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Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
It’s time to break the mold of who we see as the ideal hire. By bringing “misfits” into our organizations, we can unlock new potential through unconventional talent. I will help you discover how to build high-performing teams through hiring strategies that leverage the power of diverse perspectives and unique thinkers.
A: Need someone to challenge the status quo in the world of HR? As your local HR hustler, changing the norm has been my passion for over 10 years. In my personal life, I still push to take the path less traveled with my husband and adorable twins. I am a fan of trying new hobbies and obnoxiously singing at country or punk-rock concerts. Intrigued by the unfamiliar, I am not afraid to try anything at least twice and will always follow my curiosity.
Q: Why are you passionate about your topic?
A: During my career in HR, I’ve been considered a misfit. From my background and experience not fitting perfectly to a role, to having small-town values in a big city, there are moments big and small that have classified me as a misfit. At some point in time, I bet you’ve been labeled a misfit, and because of that, we’ve been overlooked.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: Embracing misfits starts with shifting your mindset. Look at people for their potential and grit, and take a chance to bring in a new perspective to your organization. Look for culture add talent over the culture fit type and build a supportive environment where communication is clear and roles are defined but goals are flexible. Most importantly harness the power of misfits where diverse perspectives are valued, recognized, and rewarded.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: People will always carry their past with them. We worry about repeating history and being judged by it. When a member of my team went from DIRECTOR OF TALENT, GREAT STATES struggling to excelling in her role, it was because she let go of the past. She came into my office and said, “I have to tell you something and I didn’t tell you until now because I didn’t know how you would react.” She proceeds to say,“ I was actually fired from my last job.”
Without hesitation, I said, “That means nothing to me. I value who you are now, and who you are on this team.”
Seeing her reaction to my response will forever be an experience that has shaped me into the leader I am today.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I am motivated by challenging the status quo, thinking outside the box, learning from others around me, and impacting career journeys for the better. I am inspired in my own professional journey by staying true to my own personal values. My values of courage, curiosity, and compassion keep me aligned with my own career goals and my own personal life goals.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: Leadership is an ever-evolving landscape. The most successful leaders continuously refine their skills and traits to excel in any leadership role.
In today’s dynamic environment, adaptability and resilience are crucial for leaders. The ability to navigate change, embrace new challenges, and recover from setbacks is essential for thriving in our rapidly changing world. Effective leaders create a safe space for their teams to innovate and be creative. They encourage new ideas, experimentation with different approaches, and drive innovation.
A skilled leader also knows how to set the pace for their team. They understand when to push, when to pull back, and when to observe from the sidelines.
Remember to be kind to yourself, everyone faces setbacks. It’s your response to these challenges that truly matters.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: You know, I’ve learned that taking a step back and cutting myself some slack goes a long way. It’s funny how some of the biggest headaches in my career ended up teaching me the most.
I’ve gotten into this habit of hitting the pause button when things get tough. I try to flip my thinking and see these rough patches as chances to level up. It’s not always easy though. The trickiest part? Looking in the mirror and realizing, “Hey, it’s on me to shape what happens next.” That’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes.
But here’s the thing—once I started seeing every hurdle as a potential springboard, it changed the game. I’ve become more resilient, creative, and committed to my work.
We all stumble now and then. It’s how you pick yourself up and keep moving that really counts. That’s the real game-changer.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: The biggest impact anyone can make in their field or career is the difference they can make in someone else’s career. True impact is seen in the successes of others you surround yourself with in your life, career, and your community
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: Work and life are so closely intertwined in our world now that it’s extremely hard to find the perfect equation of balance. To be honest, it’s become more of a blend. I try to focus on hobbies outside of work. When I need a break, I might take a longer lunch to get a workout in, or if I need some focus time after hours, I hop onto my laptop once the kids are asleep. If we’re being transparent, I’m not great at finding a blend and need to improve on this.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: I can’t wait to see how AI and automation impact the world of HR. I know I do my best work when I can critically think through problems and seek answers instead of spending time preoccupied with entering data or researching. This type of work will increase engagement, produce more results, and our workforce will feel the value of the work they do and have it align with their organizations. I’m excited about how these new trends and technologies will help create successful teams that will in return create the most adaptable, innovative, and profitable organizations in the future.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: I’ve come to realize that personal and professional growth are like two peas in a pod—for me they’re totally connected. It’s a mix of really getting to know myself, always being ready to learn, and building solid relationships.
I’m always asking myself, “What can I learn from this?” It’s like I’ve got this insatiable curiosity about everything and everyone. That’s the fun part of growing professionally—it keeps things exciting and gives me that extra oomph to keep going.
And let me tell you, getting to know others isn’t just about expanding my network. It’s like I’ve accidentally created my own personal cheer squad along the way. I mean, who doesn’t love a good “rah-rah” every now and then, right? Especially when you’re on this long, winding road of personal and professional growth.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
A: I have had the privilege of working with many different teams on projects and initiatives over my career, especially in the last couple of years as a leader in a growing organization. One of the projects I am most proud of is my project with the 2021 chamber leadership class. As a group of women leaders, we joined together to look for ways to bring resources, networking opportunities, and an online community to single parents in the Fargo Moorhead community. This project was near and dear to one of our members’ hearts and I felt proud being able to give some of my time and talents to something that meant so much to someone.
Another initiative I am proud to say that I supported and helped create the last couple of years was serving in a volunteer role as the president for the Fargo Moorhead Human Resources Association. There isn’t just one initiative from the group that I am proud of, but rather how this amazing volunteer board has come together to bring their own talents to achieve something bigger for our local HR community. Being able to serve in that role has been so rewarding and has been such an honor.
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?
A: Don’t give up on people. No matter how much the world around us changes or the struggles we see in the news/media, the overarching message should always be “people are good.” Remember, we are also humans—knowing that stress, unattainable goals, or personal problems are all around us and can sometimes lead to negative thoughts and actions toward others. The one thing we can all do in our workplace to influence a positive culture is to not give up on each other.
Sabrina Recommends
I love reading or listening to experts who approach all situations with a no-nonsense, raw style. I highly recommend reading:
“David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants” by Malcolm Gladwell
“Braving the Wilderness” by Brene Brown.
My Spotify list for podcasts include anything that Brene Brown is on, WorkLife with Adam Grant, and We’re Only Human with Ben Eubanks.
Editor of Fargo INC! — covering the founders, companies, and ideas shaping business in Fargo-Moorhead. Eleven years in, still no opinions, no politics, all business.
