LaJune Davis Wiley

I attribute my success to stick-to-itiveness, being curious, always being curious and creative. I think those things have helped me along the way. Throughout my career, I've learned that sometimes in HR, we have really tough days, and you get frustrated, and you're like, this is not what I want to be doing. The best advice I've received is stepping away from the day and coming back with fresh eyes the next day, and it always seems to be better when you take a breather. My values of honesty, integrity, and seeing things to the end have been fundamental to my journey.

The best career advice I've ever received is about handling those really tough days we have in HR. Sometimes you get frustrated, and you're like, this is not what I want to be doing. The best advice is stepping away from the day and coming back with fresh eyes the next day, and it always seems to be better when you take a breather. That perspective has really helped me maintain balance and approach challenges with renewed energy.

I would say, network. If you want to get into HR, I have a lot of people who actually reach out to me because they want to know what I think, and I currently mentor people in the field. My advice is to network, talk to people who are in the field, and get advice on the different areas in HR. Try to hone in on what you feel is the best fit for you. But definitely meet people in the field and ask questions and learn what they did to get where they are today. As the president of my local HR association, I get that question a lot, and I always emphasize the importance of connecting with experienced professionals who can guide you through the different paths available in HR.

The biggest challenge right now for me is different from what I'm used to, because I'm accustomed to having a full staff. As a department of one, juggling the meetings and projects with the stuff that's going to happen every day is challenging. It's about trying to find balance between the strategic work, the day-to-day requirements, and everything in between. My role can involve anything from a request for accommodation to a request for proposal, so it really runs the gamut from day-to-day tasks to major projects.

The values most important to me are honesty and integrity. I also believe strongly in seeing things to the end. These principles guide both my professional work and my personal life. Throughout my career, I've held onto these values, and they've been fundamental to how I approach challenges, lead my team, mentor others, and build relationships in the HR field.