We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Patterson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

While I believe there’s a growing shift in the HR industry towards a more strategic and people-centric approach, there’s still a pervasive misconception that HR is primarily about enforcing policies and procedures. Many people see us as the “bad guys” who lay off employees and have difficult conversations.

My journey in HR has completely changed my perspective on this. I’ve seen firsthand how HR can be a catalyst for positive change within organizations. When I was starting out, I worked in a manufacturing company where morale was low and turnover was high. I realized that the HR department wasn’t seen as a partner, but rather as a barrier.

I decided to take a different approach. Instead of focusing solely on compliance and administrative tasks, I started to build relationships with employees at all levels. I listened to their concerns, understood their challenges, and worked with management to implement changes that would improve their overall experience.

Through this experience, I learned that HR is not just about enforcing rules; it’s about creating a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and empowered. At Patterson Consulting Group, we strive to help organizations achieve this by focusing on people-centric strategies, fostering a culture of employee engagement, and driving business success through talent management.

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started out in retail, learning the ropes of leadership. But it wasn’t until I moved into HR that I truly found my calling. Helping people, building teams, and prioritizing well-being became my passion. In 2020, I took a leap of faith and started my own consulting firm, Patterson Consulting Group. It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve had the chance to work with amazing organizations and build a team of talented people who share my mission. Together, we’ve helped clients across the country create workplaces where people can thrive.

We help you optimize your employee experience and engagement. Our team of HR experts works with you to create strategies that boost employee satisfaction, improve company culture, and drive business success.

We offer a wide range of services, including:

HR consulting: We can build your HR department from scratch or enhance your existing team.
Employee engagement solutions: We design strategies to improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Talent management: We help you attract, develop, and retain top talent.
Performance management: We create systems to evaluate and improve employee performance.
Employee experience mapping: We analyze your employees’ journey to identify areas for improvement.
Benefits and total rewards: We help you design competitive compensation and benefits packages.
Compensation analysis: We benchmark your compensation against industry standards.
Professional development training: We offer training programs to help your employees grow.
Career-pathing: We help your employees develop clear career paths.
Internal communication: We help you improve communication within your organization.

Any advice for managing a team?

At Patterson Consulting Group, we’re all about keeping things fun and friendly. We’re a tight-knit group who love to work together, and we go out of our way to make sure everyone feels included and valued. We have regular team meetings and virtual hangouts where we chat, laugh, and share updates. We also celebrate both big and small wins, whether it’s landing a new client or hitting a personal goal. And when we can, we like to get together in person for team-building activities and outings. We believe that a happy and engaged team is a productive one, and we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated to do their best.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

If you’re looking for some serious leadership and motivation inspiration, check out Brené Brown and Simon Sinek. These guys are seriously insightful when it comes to being a great leader.

Brené Brown, the queen of vulnerability, talks about how being open and honest can actually make you stronger. She’s all about connecting with people on a real level and leading with empathy. It’s pretty inspiring stuff.

Simon Sinek, on the other hand, is all about finding your “why.” He’s got this awesome TED Talk about how the most successful leaders know what they’re really about and can inspire others to follow them. It’s a game-changer.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, these two can definitely help you level up your leadership skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pattersonconsultinggroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattersonconsultinggroup/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patterson-consulting-group-llc/