We recently connected with Hope Malveaux and have shared our conversation below.

Hope , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

Many companies in Corporate America overlook the importance of fostering a strong organizational culture and prioritizing employee engagement. This is a critical misstep, as both elements play a key role in the success of a company. Culture is the lifeblood of any organization. It encompasses the values, beliefs, and norms that guide the behavior of the employees and the organization. When culture is strong and aligned with the company’s objectives, it creates an environment in which employees are more likely to be engaged, productive, and committed to the organization’s success.

Unfortunately, many companies in Corporate America still treat culture as an afterthought. They focus primarily on financial results, leaving little room for the development and nurturing of a positive and supportive work environment. This approach can lead to high employee turnover, lower morale, and reduced productivity.
Employee engagement, on the other hand, is the emotional connection and involvement employees have with their organization. Engaged employees are passionate about their work, feel a sense of ownership, and are committed to the success of their organization. However, many companies in Corporate America fail to invest in engagement initiatives, erroneously believing that financial incentives alone are sufficient to motivate employees.

To truly thrive in today’s competitive landscape, companies need to prioritize human-to-human interaction and invest in initiatives that foster a positive culture and strong employee engagement.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hope Malveaux is a results-oriented change agent and a Culture Strategist with over 15 years of experience providing guidance and leadership to senior managers in startup, growth, and stable organizations.

Hope is the founder and CEO of Veaux Professional Service, LLC, where she implements a conscious HR methodology that focuses on the “total organization.” In this process, she teaches leaders to embrace resistance to change and focus on their desired result.

She has led several high-dollar mergers & acquisition projects totaling over $6 B. Hope has trained and spoken at several organizations to improve employee engagement and culture alignment. She has developed a five-step framework that allows organizations to make significant strides in valuing their human capital, fostering employee engagement, and creating a positive work culture that ultimately drives profitability and long-term success.

Hope is the creator of the conference, The Company You Keep, which focuses on professional women looking to grow in and outside their chosen careers. She is the Author of, The Journal of Hope, Positive Mindset Affirmations for the EnterprenHer. Hope is also the Co-Founder of ConnectPro, a SAAS easy-to-use platform that delivers a human capital solution for post-mergers.

Hope received a bachelor’s degree from LeTourneau University, Houston, and an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, Houston.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I started Veaux Professional Service in 2016, and it took me three years to quit my corporate job and start my adventure. So many lessons have been learned since the day I started my business. Here are the top 3 things has helped me grow my business; I would pass them on to anyone considering starting this journey. • Know your why: Your why is so important. You will have many ups and downs during your journey, and you will need to remember why you started your business.
I started my business because while working in human resources and specifically around mergers & acquisitions, I noticed little focus on the greatest asset, “the people.” I wanted to help the company focus on culture alignment and creating a positive work environment -that became the anchor for my business and is my why.
• Create a community: Network with like-minded individuals. When you are starting your business, you will need to be around people that understand your journey. It is a unique one, and people going through the same process will help create a strong network and a support group that can share ideas, etc.
I did not realize how important community was for the first two years of my business, and I felt like I was doing this alone. I finally have a community of business owners that support one another, and we help each other build toward our respective goals.
• Establish systems and processes: This is key to scaling and growing the business. Having a well-defined process creates consistency. With established systems, you can expand more smoothly without sacrificing quality or becoming overwhelmed by the complexities of growth.
This was not something that I understood; as the practitioner of the business, it was hard to put on the CEO hat and realize that systems would help me service more clients because I could make informed choices based on data and analysis.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Here are some tips on managing your team and maintaining high morale:

• Lead by example: Demonstrate the qualities you want to see in your team members, such as dedication, integrity, and a positive attitude. Your actions will set the tone for the team’s culture and work ethic.
• Foster open communication: Encourage your team to openly share their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Create a safe environment where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or retribution.
• Recognize and celebrate achievements: Regularly acknowledge your team’s accomplishments, both big and small. This can be through verbal praise, written recognition, or tangible rewards. Recognizing achievements boosts morale and motivates team members to perform at their best.
• Encourage professional growth: Provide opportunities for team members to develop new skills, acquire knowledge, and take on new responsibilities. This helps them grow professionally and demonstrates your investment in their success.
• Build a strong team culture: Foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within your team. Organize team-building activities, encourage collaboration, and celebrate milestones together. A strong team culture can lead to higher morale and greater job satisfaction.
• Be approachable and supportive: Make yourself available to your team members and offer guidance, encouragement, and support when needed. This will help build trust and strengthen your relationships with your team.
• Set clear expectations: Ensure your team understands their roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. Providing clear guidelines and objectives helps to prevent confusion and miscommunication.
• Provide regular feedback: Offer constructive feedback to your team members consistently on their successes and areas for improvement. This helps them understand their performance and allows them to grow.
• Be flexible and adaptable: Each team member may have different needs, working styles, and preferences. Be open to adjusting your management style to accommodate these differences and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Prioritize work-life balance: Encourage your team members to balance their professional and personal lives. Recognize the importance of taking breaks, setting boundaries, and managing stress to ensure the overall well-being of your team.

I’ve created a framework that supports businesses in creating a positive work environment that promotes high morale, increased productivity, and long-term success for your team.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.veauxpro.com
• Instagram: Veaux_pro_hr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeauxProHR
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-malveaux-mba-a37b8831/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@veauxprohr

Image Credits
Emile Browne