HR Maverick
Crystal Cook
Crystal eats, sleeps and breathes HR, not because she knows so much but because it's the first place her mind goes whenever she has a conversation. People are what motivate her to do her best for them, putting their best interests at the forefront of decisions whenever possible. She has been in HR leadership positions for over 15 years with organizations and start ups in several industries including manufacturing, sales, e-commerce and entertainment. She has often been a dynamic one-person HR department covering every function of HR from onboarding and offboarding, to payroll, benefits administration, performance management, compensation management to training, coaching and diversity and inclusion. She has almost done it all yet believes she has only just scratched the surface of what HR is and will become. Her mantra is: "Always Human First!"
What words of advice and encouragement would you give to someone just starting out in HR?
Don't take yourself too seriously. Though HR is about compliance, laws and confidentiality. It is more about people than anything else. We all laugh and cry, have joys and disappointments and we are all human. Don't judge yourself or others too harshly. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Self reflect and focus on the journey as well as the desired outcome. Continue to learn and never stop trying because nothing beats a failure but a try. Don't try to be perfect, do try to try perfectly. I would that HR is for you all that you wish it to be and more. Happy Human Resourcing! All the best, Crystal Cook, MA, MS, SPHR
HR Maverick
Crystal Cook
Crystal eats, sleeps and breathes HR, not because she knows so much but because it's the first place her mind goes whenever she has a conversation. People are what motivate her to do her best for them, putting their best interests at the forefront of decisions whenever possible. She has been in HR leadership positions for over 15 years with organizations and start ups in several industries including manufacturing, sales, e-commerce and entertainment. She has often been a dynamic one-person HR department covering every function of HR from onboarding and offboarding, to payroll, benefits administration, performance management, compensation management to training, coaching and diversity and inclusion. She has almost done it all yet believes she has only just scratched the surface of what HR is and will become. Her mantra is: "Always Human First!"
What words of advice and encouragement would you give to someone just starting out in HR?
Don't take yourself too seriously. Though HR is about compliance, laws and confidentiality. It is more about people than anything else. We all laugh and cry, have joys and disappointments and we are all human. Don't judge yourself or others too harshly. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Self reflect and focus on the journey as well as the desired outcome. Continue to learn and never stop trying because nothing beats a failure but a try. Don't try to be perfect, do try to try perfectly. I would that HR is for you all that you wish it to be and more. Happy Human Resourcing! All the best, Crystal Cook, MA, MS, SPHR
