Significant Career Lesson From a Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Cloudera
Britt's most significant career lesson, learned during rapid company growth, is the importance of treating everyone with respect: "you've got to treat people well," even those in subordinate positions, as this fosters the necessary support for effective leadership. The contrast between a peer's demanding approach and Britt's more empathetic style highlights how kindness and collaboration— "Is there a way you can fit this in?"— significantly improve workplace dynamics and ultimately, career success.
Leadership, Human Resources, Management, Interpersonal Skills, Professional Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Britt Sellin
Retired - Former SVP of HR /CHRO
Cloudera
UC Berkeley; UCLA extension for an HR certificate post graduation from Berkeley
N/A
Psychology
Technology
Human Resources (HR)
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their position.
2. Building strong relationships is crucial for success.
3. Effective communication and collaboration are essential for achieving goals in a fast-paced environment.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you've learned that has proven significant in your career?
You have to treat people well, even if they work for you or are in a subordinate position. If you don't, you won't get the full range of support you need to be effective in your job. You won't even realize you're not getting it until it's too late.
I remember a company that was growing very fast. My peer could never get what she needed from supporting services, like reports and timely turnarounds. I always did. The difference was she was always yelling at them, and I would say, "Gosh, it sounds like your job is really hard. Is there a way you can fit this in?"
People want to be treated with respect. They get to make decisions about their priorities, and you won't always be their top priority. But you will move up a lot if you're a nicer person. If you just go in and say, "I need this. Bye," it's not going to work forever.