We recently connected with Susan Tillman and have shared our conversation below.

Susan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

I fell into the field of Human Resources. I worked for a company and helped build it from 3 employees to 300 employees by the time I stepped away. I spent nearly 12 years with that company really learning and honing my HR skill set and critical thinking within a Director role.
I never set out wanting to become a Director of HR or owning my own consulting company. However, throughout the years I had a variety of colleagues, friends and acquaintances reach out for help in regards to people management. During my final year with my previous company, I decided to takethe lead and open my consulting company. This decision allows me to pick and choose the projects and the people I wanted to work with. With my own consulting company I am really able to have joy in each project I select.
I do projects that I find interesting and fun during my spare time while still holding down a typical 9-5 role with a non-profit. For me, it is the best of both worlds. I still have a steady job with complex problems and side projects that I pick for myself.

Susan , 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 come from the mid-West and a very small farming community. I was born with a borth defect called Spina Bifida. Luckily, I was supported by an amazing family who always pushed me to excell and not let other people’s expectations define who I am.
Originally, I went to school for Criminology and Forensic Science. I specialized in Interviews and Interrogations. I thought for sure I would end up in the justice field in some respect. However, as in most things, life has a way of steering you in various directions. Throughout the past 25 years, I have been an investigator, event program manager, sales manager, office and facilities manager, and human resources director. Each of the roles had me spending time with people and therfore people management.
Each role also allowed me to build my professional observation, people management and critical thinking skills. I suppose I have landed in the justice field in some manner. Being in field of Human Resources, I absolutely get to ensure organizations and their employees are educated in their employee and employer rights and make sure they have safe and compliant work environments. This ensures the organization and the employee get to be their best self for one another. Additionally, I still get to continually spend time learning about and helping enforce rules and regulations as it pertains to employees and safety.
I am so proud to provide open and honest conversation with clients, organizations and employees. This is one of the kindest things you can do for one another as it helps to create trust amongst all parties.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that the customer is always right and I must always please them.

Within the HR consultancy industry, you cannot always provide what the client wants as it may go against legal regulations or even your own moral compass. You have to realize what you are willing to do and how close to some lines you are willing to get. In the end, it may come down to if you are willing to compromise your own ethics for a paycheck. This is somethimg I am not willing to do.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have strategically decided not to participate in the social media platforms. I do not recommend this for all people. However, at this time it works for me. I am able to be very selective on any clientele I work with and mine all come from word of mouth or personal relationships.

I did not want the stress of having to create and maintain media content. I also wanted to carefully regulate the number of clientele I take on since my growth plan is small and steady. I do not want to be stressed about meeting deadlines for clients and not be able to deliver what I agree to deliver. My word is my bond and trust is paramount for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tillmanhrstrategies.com/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/susantillman

Image Credits

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