We were lucky to catch up with Sharon Winfield recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sharon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Growing up, I was fortunate to have a mom who exemplified resilience, integrity, and a quiet personality, yet would tell you a few things if she was provoked. My dad suddenly passed away when I was 9 years old. So, my mom was left to take care of 8 children. Her actions and values have left an indelible mark on me, profoundly shaping both my personal and professional journey.
One of the most significant things my mom did right was instilling in me the importance of perseverance and hard work. She would say, if you want it, work for it. Because when you work for it, it becomes valuable to you. I vividly remember many times I was having a pity party with myself because life just was not treating me the way I thought it should. I remember my mom telling me it is okay to have a pity party for 24 hours, but after that, be done with it. We grew up in a modest home with modest things. I did not get to wear the designer clothes my friends were wearing. One day I was out shopping with my mom at Kmart. I asked her, can we please go to Famous Barr so I can get a Ralph Lauren polo shirt because all my friends had polo shirts. My mom had beautiful green eyes, so when she looked at me, she said “designer clothes do not make who you are. You make who you are and do not ever forget it.” Now mind you, I am sixteen and I did not want to hear that speech from my mom Darlene. I still wanted that Ralph Lauren polo shirt. Well, I had to settle for my K-Mart shirt.
I ended up liking my K-Mart shirt because it taught me that I decide who I want to be, not my friends, family, or the world. So, with my mom’s wonderful words of wisdom, I chose to be the best version of Sharon.
When things got tough for me in my personal and professional life, instead of giving up, she told me to have unwavering determination, work to overcome challenges and setbacks. I had quite a few 24-hour pity parties.
Moreover, my mom prioritized honesty and integrity more than anything else. She emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, even when it was difficult or unpopular. Her integrity and moral compass left a lasting impression on me, shaping my own ethical principles and guiding my decisions both personally and professionally.
The impact of my mom’s influence extends far beyond my personal life; it has also profoundly influenced my career path. Her emphasis on resilience, integrity, and support has equipped me with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of the professional world. I approach challenges with determination, uphold ethical standards in all my endeavors, and strive to support and uplift those around me, just as my mom did for me.
In essence, my mom’s exemplary values and actions have not only shaped who I am as a person but have also laid the foundation for my success in both life and career. I am eternally grateful for her guidance, love, and unwavering support. Although my mom is no longer with me physically, I think about her a lot. I can now buy a Ralph Lauren polo shirt if I want, but that K-Mart shirt is just as good.
Sharon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am excited to share my journey with you, particularly my passion for serving as the Chief Human Resources Officer in the non-profit sector. My entrance into this field has been marked by unwavering determination, continuous learning, and a profound love for what I do.
My journey began during my college years when I juggled full-time studies with a part-time role in the mailroom of a prominent company. I had just graduated high school in the top ten percent of my class, when my best friend Derek got me the job. Guided by my mother’s invaluable advice to always strive for excellence, a pivotal moment occurred when Ann from Human Resources noticed my work ethics and extended an offer to join the HR team. Despite initially questioning what Human Resources entailed, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to transition out of the mailroom. This decision led me to become the first African American to work in Human Resources at this esteemed company.
Currently, I lead a dedicated team of five professionals, overseeing all aspects of Human Resources for the organization, including talent management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, training and development, performance management, legal matters, and policy development and implementation.
I approach obstacles as opportunities for growth, refusing to view “no” as a final answer but rather as a steppingstone to the Next Opportunity. As the Chief Human Resources Officer, I encounter challenges daily. However, I address them methodically by identifying the problem, gathering pertinent information, listening to all parties involved, and analyzing root causes. I then assess the potential impact on the organization and develop comprehensive action plans to address the issue effectively.
What I am most proud of is my personal brand—I am committed to upholding an impeccable reputation in my profession, community, and personal life. I take immense pride in my roles as a supportive wife to my husband Tony and a nurturing mother to Taylor and Sydney, as they are my greatest motivations. Striving to be the best version of myself enables me to lead an exceptional team of Human Resources professionals effectively. Additionally, I am honored to have achieved significant milestones, such as speaking at numerous regional and national conferences, participating in esteemed panel discussions, and being featured in prestigious publications like VoyageSTL Magazine and wining the Human Resources Professional award by the St. Louis Business Journal. Furthermore, I actively contribute to the community by serving on various boards and engaging in volunteer initiatives.
Any advice for managing a team?
The advice I would give for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to:
Communicate openly and transparently by keeping your team informed about organizational goals, expectations, and any changes that may affect them. Encourage open communication where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback.
Leaders must recognize and appreciate achievements by regularly acknowledging and celebrating individual and team achievements. Recognition can be in the form of verbal praise, awards, bonuses, or other rewards that align with your team’s preferences and values. It is important to provide opportunities for growth and development by supporting your team members’ professional growth by offering opportunities for training, learning, and skill development. Encourage them to pursue their interests and goals within the organization.
I would recommend that leaders foster a positive work environment that creates a workplace culture that prioritizes respect, collaboration, and inclusivity. Encourage teamwork, camaraderie, and mutual support among team members. Set clear expectations and goals to ensure that each team member understands their role, responsibilities, and performance expectations. Set clear, achievable goals that align with both individual and team objectives.
It is important to empower, delegate and trust your team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently. Delegate tasks and responsibilities based on each person’s strengths, skills, and interests. Lead by example is important to maintaining high morale Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your team members. Lead with integrity, empathy, and professionalism, and model a strong work ethic and positive attitude.
Promote work-life balance by encouraging your team members to prioritize their well-being and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Offer flexibility when possible and support initiatives that promote employee wellness and mental health. Seek feedback and continuously improve by regularly soliciting feedback from your team members about their experiences, concerns, and suggestions for improvement. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments and continuously strive to enhance team dynamics and morale.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your team and create a positive work environment where morale remains high, and team members feel motivated, valued, and engaged.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A time I had to pivot in my career was when I was working as an HR Assistant to the Controller. We were the same age. I asked her how she got to be Controller at such a young age. She respectfully told me her education played a huge role in her moving up the corporate ladder. I thought to myself, well I aspire to be an Executive one day, so what must I do?
My boss would write in my performance review each year; it was important for me to obtain my degree if I wanted to move up the corporate ladder. Life changes happened whereby I got married, then became a mom. So school was put on hold. I was looking at jobs in HR but knew I didn’t qualify because I didn’t have a degree. So, I decided to go back to school. I was now a wife, mom, working full time and going to school full time at Lindenwood University. I would wake up at 4:00 a.m. to study and do my schoolwork before our son woke up. I would get ready for work at 6:30 a.m. and leave my house by 7:30 a.m. to get to work at 8:00 a.m. I felt like I was always rushing. I would leave work at 4:30 p.m. to get to school 25 miles away by 6:00 p.m. I was taking accelerated classes so often times I did not get home until 10:00 pm three nights a week.
My husband was amazing taking care of our son while I was working full time and going to school full time. I remember calling my Counselor crying because I was so overwhelmed by “life”. You see, I loved being a mom and going to school, but I struggled each day with going to work. But because we were not in a position financially with having just one income, I had to continue working. I kept going back to what my mom would say, about having unwavering determination.
My Counselor asked if I wanted to take less hours and graduate with the December class versus the June class. I thought to myself, I don’t want to extend these classes another 6 months. Because my grades were so good, my Counselor allowed me to continue with my full-time studies. I graduated on time with honors. I would not suggest anyone take that path to obtaining one’s degree. I commend all working moms going to school who had to pivot and make the sacrifice. One thing I regret is that when I made the sacrifice of working full time, being a wife, mom and full-time student, by the time I was scheduled to walk across the stage with my graduating class, I was too exhausted to do so. I wish I could re-live that moment of walking across that stage.
After obtaining my degree in Human Resource Management, my confidence in applying for jobs increased significantly. I had the experience, yet before my degree, I didn’t meet the educational requirement. With my degree, no one could tell me I wasn’t ready for the next role. I knew I wasn’t the most experienced and educated person when applying for those job, but God had great things in store for me.
As I had to pivot in my career by leaving organizations that didn’t have a career path for me, I purposed to focus on companies that had direct career opportunities aligned with my goals. That meant, I intentionally didn’t apply or accept certain positions.
I have now landed the best role a girl could ask for. I have a great team, with great co-workers. The pivot was worth it.
I dedicate this story to my mom Darlene Rose who inspires me to be the best I can be.
Image Credits
Winfield Photography