Drew Soule is a seasoned HR skilled with a ardour for folks growth and a observe file of success within the company house.
With a Masters in Human Useful resource Administration from the College of Illinois, Drew Soule has made vital contributions to corporations like Northrop Grumman and Pinterest. His experience in expertise administration, worker relations, and organizational growth, mixed together with his advocacy for incapacity rights, makes him a singular voice within the HR discipline.
On this unique interview, Drew Soule shares insights on innovation in HR, sustaining a constructive trade fame, and methods for skilled development.
How does innovation or new instruments impression your profession and enterprise technique?
As a seasoned HR skilled with over 12 years of expertise, I’ve seen firsthand how innovation and new instruments can considerably impression each my profession and the enterprise methods I assist develop. All through my profession working in HRBP roles at corporations like Northrop Grumman and Pinterest, I’ve made it a precedence to remain on the chopping fringe of HR know-how and leverage data-driven insights to drive impactful enterprise outcomes. Instruments like Workday, Lattice, Tableau, and Peakon have been game-changers, permitting me to gather, analyze, and interpret folks information in ways in which had been merely not potential only a decade in the past. With entry to strong HRIS methods, efficiency administration platforms, worker engagement surveys, and superior analytics, I’m capable of uncover developments, establish areas for enchancment, and make extra knowledgeable, data-driven suggestions to management.
For instance, by leveraging Workday and Tableau, I can rapidly pull complete stories on every little thing from headcount and turnover to compensation benchmarking and expertise gaps. This empowers me to have extra strategic, consultative conversations with enterprise companions, permitting us to make proactive, focused choices that positively impression areas like worker satisfaction, productiveness, and total organizational well being.
Equally, platforms like Lattice and Peakon present highly effective worker suggestions mechanisms that give me a pulse on the workforce. I can establish ache factors, acknowledge excessive performers, and develop tailor-made applications to handle particular wants—all whereas guaranteeing a extra constructive, partaking worker expertise. Recruitment instruments like Greenhouse and ADP Applicant Monitoring Methods have additionally reworked my strategy to expertise acquisition, enabling me to streamline processes, cut back hiring timelines, and produce on higher-quality candidates which are higher aligned to the group’s values and strategic targets. Finally, the modern HR tech panorama has been integral to my success as an HR chief. It has allowed me to evolve my skillset, shift my focus to extra strategic, value-add work, and drive measurable enterprise impression in a quickly altering world of labor. As I proceed to advance in my profession, I’m excited to see what new instruments and applied sciences emerge and the way I can leverage them to take my follow to the subsequent degree.
What steps do you are taking to keep up a constructive fame in your trade?
As an HR skilled with over 12 years of expertise, I’ve come to know that sustaining a constructive fame throughout the trade is paramount to driving long-term success and impression. All through my profession, I’ve made it a precedence to persistently embody a set of core values which have turn into the muse of my private model. Honesty, transparency, and candor are non-negotiable for me. I firmly consider that constructing belief with each inner and exterior stakeholders is crucial, and I work onerous to determine myself as a dependable, credible associate who’s all the time keen to have troublesome conversations and supply unfiltered, trustworthy suggestions.
After I make errors, and all of us do, I personal them. I take full accountability, mirror on what I may have finished in a different way, and implement measures to make sure I don’t repeat these errors. This dedication to steady development and self-improvement has been instrumental in sustaining sturdy, long-term relationships. Equally vital is my deal with being customer-centric and tailoring my strategy to the distinctive wants of the companies I assist. Whether or not I’m working with leaders at Northrop Grumman, Pinterest, or some other group, I make it a precedence to actually perceive their strategic targets, ache factors, and cultural dynamics. This enables me to offer extremely efficient, custom-made steering and session that delivers measurable impression.
Moreover, I’m proactive about constructing real relationships from day one. I don’t view my function as a transactional one; I see it as a collaborative partnership the place open communication, energetic listening, and a mutual dedication to success are paramount. By investing the time to know my stakeholders as folks, I’m capable of anticipate their wants, deal with issues earlier than they escalate, and place myself as a trusted advisor they’ll depend on. Underlying all of this can be a deep ardour for folks analytics and utilizing data-driven insights to drive constructive organizational outcomes. As a self-proclaimed “data nerd,” I’m continually exploring new instruments and applied sciences that may improve my means to uncover developments, establish areas for enchancment, and make extra knowledgeable, strategic suggestions. This dedication to ongoing studying {and professional} growth has been important to sustaining a constructive fame as a forward-thinking, modern HR chief. My strategy to fame administration boils all the way down to a relentless deal with integrity, customer-centricity, relationship-building, and steady enchancment. By embodying these ideas in every little thing I do, I’ve been capable of set up myself as a trusted, revered HR skilled who delivers constant, high-quality outcomes. It’s a formulation that has served me properly all through my 12-year profession, and one which I’ll proceed to uphold as I progress in my discipline.
What’s your key power at work, and the way do you leverage it to attain success?
On the core of my strategy is a deep dedication to embodying values like honesty, transparency, and candor. I consider that establishing belief is the bedrock of any significant partnership, and I work onerous to display my integrity via my phrases and actions. Whether or not I’m interfacing with C-suite executives or front-line managers, I’m all the time forthright, even when the dialog is troublesome.
This dedication to transparency permits me to have candid discussions about delicate subjects, uncovering the true root causes of issues slightly than simply treating the signs. I’m not afraid to ask powerful questions or present unfiltered suggestions as a result of I do know that my stakeholders belief me to have their greatest pursuits at coronary heart.
Importantly, I additionally take full accountability for my very own errors. After I fall quick, I come clean with it instantly, mirror on what I may have finished in a different way, and implement measures to forestall a recurrence. This vulnerability and dedication to steady enchancment additional solidifies my credibility as a trusted advisor. However constructing belief is simply step one. I then leverage that basis to affect and assist enterprise leaders as they grapple with advanced, high-stakes choices. Drawing on my intensive HR experience and information evaluation capabilities, I’m capable of present strategic counsel that’s tailor-made to the distinctive wants and challenges of every group.
Whether or not it’s optimizing expertise administration processes, driving worker engagement initiatives, or aligning workforce planning with enterprise targets, I persistently ship custom-made, data-driven options that generate tangible outcomes. And since I’ve taken the time to determine myself as a reputable, dependable associate, my suggestions carry vital weight. My means to construct belief and use that belief to drive constructive change is what units me aside and fuels my success. It’s a power that has served me properly all through my 12-year HR profession, and one which I’ll proceed to leverage as I progress within the discipline. By sustaining the very best requirements of integrity and positioning myself as a real strategic associate, I’m capable of create lasting, transformative impression for the organizations I assist.
How do you deal with complaints, criticism, and suggestions to enhance your skilled development?
I firmly consider that embracing complaints, criticism, and suggestions—even when it’s troublesome to listen to—is crucial for driving significant development, each on a private {and professional} degree. All through my profession, I’ve made it a precedence to construct belief with my numerous stakeholders, from enterprise companions to staff. I make it abundantly clear that I welcome and actively search out constructive suggestions, as I view it as a vital ingredient for honing my craft and enhancing the worth I’m capable of present.
After I obtain complaints or criticism, my first intuition is to not get defensive however slightly to strategy it with real curiosity and a development mindset. I do know that there’s usually a kernel of fact, even in probably the most difficult suggestions, and I’m desirous to uncover these insights so I can establish areas for enchancment. I make it some extent to have open, clear dialogues to totally perceive the character of the criticism or criticism. I ask clarifying questions, pay attention attentively, and resist the urge to leap to conclusions or make excuses. My objective is to realize a complete understanding of the difficulty so I can develop an efficient plan of motion. As soon as I’ve gathered all of the related data, I rapidly take possession of any errors or shortcomings on my half. I firmly consider within the energy of accountability, because it not solely helps to rebuild belief but in addition alerts my dedication to studying and development. From there, I work diligently to implement corrective measures, drawing on my experience and data-driven strategy to make sure I don’t repeat these errors.
I additionally make it a precedence to proactively solicit suggestions from my stakeholders, setting the tone for open, trustworthy communication. Whether or not it’s commonly scheduled check-ins or extra casual conversations, I’m all the time searching for to know how I can improve my efficiency and higher assist the enterprise. Importantly, I don’t simply demand suggestions from others; I additionally maintain myself to the identical excessive requirements. I set formidable skilled and private targets, and I commonly assess my progress, figuring out areas the place I can enhance. This relentless drive for self-improvement not solely advantages the organizations I work with but in addition fuels my very own development and growth as an HR chief. By approaching these challenges with humility, transparency, and a real need to be taught, I’ve been capable of repeatedly hone my expertise, strengthen my relationships, and ship more and more impactful outcomes for the companies I assist. It’s a mindset that I’ll proceed to domesticate all through the remainder of my profession.
How do you intend and set targets to make sure continued development and success in your profession or enterprise?
I acknowledge the significance of aligning my private growth targets with the strategic targets of the enterprise, guaranteeing that my efforts contribute to the general success of the group. One of many key methods I make use of is using SMART targets – particular, measurable, achievable, related, and time-bound. By setting clear, well-defined targets which are consistent with the expectations of my function and the values of the group, I’m able to focus my efforts on areas that may drive significant impression and development.
For instance, when setting targets associated to leveraging information to enhance worker satisfaction, efficiency, and productiveness, I be certain that every objective is particular and measurable. This would possibly contain defining metrics to trace the impression of my initiatives, resembling rising worker engagement scores or lowering turnover charges, and establishing key efficiency indicators to watch progress. I make it possible for my targets are achievable and related to the strategic priorities of the group. By aligning my private growth targets with the broader targets and targets of the enterprise, I be certain that my efforts are contributing on to the success of the corporate. Setting time-bound targets can be essential to my strategy. By establishing clear deadlines and milestones for attaining every goal, I create a way of urgency and accountability that drives me to remain targeted and on observe.
Along with setting SMART targets, I commonly interact in self-assessment and reflection to guage my progress and establish areas for enchancment. This ongoing strategy of suggestions and self-correction permits me to repeatedly refine my targets and methods, guaranteeing that I’m continually evolving and rising in my profession. By prioritizing goal-setting, aligning my targets with the expectations of my function and the values of the group, and sustaining a dedication to steady enchancment, I’m able to guarantee continued development and success in each my profession and the companies I assist. This proactive and strategic strategy not solely advantages my skilled growth but in addition contributes to the achievement of organizational targets and targets.
What strategies do you employ to construct and improve your skilled fame?
On the core of my technique is a steadfast dedication to my private {and professional} values. I maintain these ideas – which embrace honesty, compassion, and an unrelenting drive for excellence – as the muse for all of my interactions and decision-making. By persistently embodying these values via my behaviors and actions, I’ve been capable of set up a fame as an HRBP who acts with the utmost integrity and places the wants of the group and its folks first. Cultivating sturdy relationships and open communication can be a vital element of my strategy. I make it a precedence to have interaction proactively with key stakeholders, from enterprise leaders to frontline staff, to actually perceive their ache factors, targets, and wishes. This enables me to offer tailor-made, customer-centric steering and options that persistently ship tangible outcomes. I’m not afraid to have troublesome conversations or present unfiltered, constructive suggestions when obligatory. I’ve discovered that by approaching these interactions with empathy and a real need to assist, I’m capable of construct belief and credibility, even when addressing delicate or difficult subjects.
Along with my interpersonal expertise, I additionally leverage my technical experience and data-driven strategy to additional improve my skilled fame. As a self-proclaimed “data nerd,” I’m adept at utilizing workforce analytics and insights to drive measurable enhancements in areas like worker satisfaction, efficiency, and productiveness. This means to ship data-backed, impactful options has been instrumental in positioning me as a trusted, strategic associate. I’m continually searching for alternatives to broaden my information and skillset, whether or not via formal coaching, trade occasions, or peer-to-peer studying. By repeatedly investing in my very own skilled growth, I’m capable of keep forward of trade developments and produce probably the most cutting-edge experience to the organizations I assist. My deal with integrity, empathy, outcomes, and steady enchancment has allowed me to domesticate a powerful, constructive skilled fame all through my 12-year HR profession. This tough-earned model fairness has not solely opened doorways for me, however has additionally enabled me to drive transformative impression for the companies I’ve had the privilege of partnering with.
We need to thank Drew Soule for offering priceless insights into his strategy to HR management {and professional} growth. His dedication to innovation, integrity, and steady enchancment serves as an inspiration for aspiring HR professionals.
