We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaniqua Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Shaniqua thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?
Absolutely! One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that ‘you can be right, but you can also be dead right.’ When I was contracting as a Talent Partner, a senior-level hiring manager wanted to rescind an offer we had just extended to a fantastic finalist. The reason? During the congratulatory call, the finalist shared that they were pregnant.
I knew making a hiring decision based on someone’s medical status was unethical and unlawful. Despite knowing I was right, I was in a difficult position as the leadership team pressured me to rescind the offer. I stood my ground, even though it meant going against the wishes of upper management. Three months later, I was caught up in company-wide layoffs—the only contractor affected. I was right, but I was also “dead right.”
That befuddling experience taught me the importance of working with clients who share my core values and ethics. As the Founder of Elevated TA, I conduct thorough due diligence during client acquisition to ensure alignment and have solid conflict resolution clauses in place. Being right isn’t always enough; having a shared understanding and a conflict resolution plan is crucial.
When advising job seekers, I empower them to create an equitable interview process for themselves. Interviews are designed to assess fit, but the employer seems to hold the power. I encourage job seekers to utilize the interviews to assess their prospective employers. I urge them to define their principles and core values before interviewing, then compose relevant role, team dynamic, and company culture questions to ask during interviews. This helps ensure that both parties are “right” for each other, minimizing the chances of being “dead right” down the line.
Being viewed as a problem when I was advocating for the finalist and protecting the company from unlawful hiring decisions shaped my approach to client relationships and job seeker advisory. I prioritize shared values and proactively resolve conflicts to avoid being “right” at the expense of my well-being or the well-being of others.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Of course! I’m Shaniqua Brown, a proud Tampa Bay native and the eldest of six brothers (Jamar, Tazius, James, Shon, Myles, and Michael). Growing up, I learned the importance of accountability, resourcefulness, adaptability, and teamwork – skills that have shaped my personal and professional life.
As someone diagnosed with autism later in life, I’ve always found solace in dance, a passion I pursued as a tween into my present. I was also a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (pre-Brady era!). My struggles with social interactions became my fascination, leading me to study Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at the University of South Florida, where I consumed the complexities of human behavior and societal dynamics.
These experiences laid the foundation for my career in Talent Acquisition, where I’ve spent over a decade connecting incredible professionals with leading tech companies. My natural resourcefulness and leadership skills, honed as the eldest sibling, have been instrumental in my success.
I’m the Founder of Elevated TA, a Fractional Talent Acquisition Firm. Fractional Talent Acquisition (TA) refers to a model where companies hire recruiting professionals on a part-time or limited basis rather than having a full-time, in-house recruiting staff. I leverage my blend of agency and in-house recruiting expertise to help companies create efficient hiring processes that will attract impressive professionals. My human-centric approach and out-of-the-box thinking set me apart as an industry leader.
I’m also co-producing and co-hosting my podcast, ‘From Illumination To Innovation,’ with my partner Stephanie Crain. Our conversational-style interviews explore our society’s intersection of business, ethos, and intuition. We’re about to launch our HR Series in May – Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and email us if you want to be a guest!
As someone with autism, I say what I mean and mean what I say. My relentless pursuit of challenging the status quo, commitment to integrity, and passion for driving positive change are not just words but my way of life.
How’d you meet your business partner?
As I mentioned earlier, Stephanie Crain and I co-produce and co-host our podcast, ‘From Illumination To Innovation.’ We met at a FIESTA women’s networking event in Austin, TX. Despite not feeling my best that day, something told me I had to attend.
We grabbed coffee after the event and dove into our shared passions. The conversation flowed naturally, and we were in awe of each other’s insights and vision. A few weeks later, Stephanie asked me to join her as a co-host on her podcast. I jumped at the chance, knowing it was the perfect way to combine our strengths and make a real impact.
It’s been an incredible journey, from recording our first episode in October 2023 to launching in January 2024. Our podcast is a platform for business changemakers to engage in thought-provoking conversations that drive real innovation. We aim to inspire, illuminate, and empower our listeners to make a positive difference.
Looking back, I’m grateful for our serendipitous meeting. It brought me not just a business partner but a true friend who shares my passion for making a difference. Our partnership is a testament to the power of connection, collaboration, and trusting your intuition.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Oh, I’ve been pivoting since 1992—adaptable could be my middle name! I’ve pivoted many times over in my personal life. How about I share two recent professional pivots I made?
The recent wave of layoffs hit the private sector, particularly in tech, and it was a wake-up call. I’d spent years working comfortably with startups and established tech companies. But when the economic climate shifted and companies started downsizing, I was directly impacted and honestly shocked.
My first pivot was from an employee/W2 contractor to starting my own business, Elevated TA. So, I began landing clients in the space I knew, the private sector. However profitable these companies reported to be, budget was always an issue. If they weren’t forthcoming about the budget challenges, they began micromanaging our SOW or decreasing our already agreed-upon services.
As fate would have it, I was watching President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address when he emphasized investing in American contracts and increasing the funding for vendors in the public sector. So, the second pivot I made was transitioning Elevated TA’s business to support Public-Sector and Federal entities. This pivot also aligns with my passion for improving government for Texans and American citizens.
Both pivots required me to adjust my strategies, embrace new challenges, and expand my network. Transitioning to the public sector has been incredibly fulfilling, giving me a renewed sense of purpose. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned in the private sector, as they’ve equipped me with the skills and insights required to succeed in this new chapter.
I’m thrilled to explore creative ways to make a lasting impact on the Public-Sector. As my 16 ‘Citizenship Awards’ from Elementary school stated, I’m committed to driving positive change and building a brighter future for all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevatedta.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_strategist_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaniquaelevatedta/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYM2u4hWkVZgnmYpF8tEHw
- Elevated TA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevated-ta/ From Illumination To Innovation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdGI6h5tqr8aZfKMEmet7Vw
- From Illumination To Innovation Podcast: https://from-illumination-to-innovation.castos.com/