Stacey Woods, HRIP’s Post

I once read, "find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." Reflecting on this advice, I feel immensely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a group that exemplifies these very qualities. When I signed a Statement of Work with a private equity-backed new portfolio company last year, I said to myself, "I’m going to partner with the CEO; we will build this company, set a strong foundation that will sustain the organization not only right now, but for many years to come." This experience has been more rewarding than I could’ve imagined. Each new hire, system implementation, process development, policy delivery, and offsite meeting hosted has deepened my appreciation for collaboration, connection, partnership — and trust. These experiences have been refreshingly significant and profoundly meaningful. Unexpectedly, this journey has led to my new role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Lydian Energy. I am deeply grateful for the continued opportunity to serve and lead within this incredible organization. I am excited to continue partnering with Emre Ersenkal, Lydian Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, and the partners at our parent company, Excelsior Energy Capital: Christopher Moakley, Anne Marie Denman, Ryan Fegley, Alex Ellis, Christopher Frantz, and every team member across our collective organization. I'm sharing this update with my community because you have supported me throughout my journey, both professionally and personally, and continue to be a crucial part of my life. In closing, I truly hope my experience inspires others to focus on impactful work, prioritize collective success over personal gain, and remain open to the unexpected ways life can unfold. Let's all continue to strive for excellence and make a difference wherever we go.

Thrilled to join so many amazing business leaders as a mentor for the Charlotte Business Journal's Annual Mentoring Monday program! A heartfelt thank you to the team for this incredible opportunity to connect with and inspire more than 200 women professionals across our communities. Ladies, Mentoring Monday is not just an event; it's a chance to empower, learn, and grow together. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences, insights, and advice to help others navigate their professional journeys. This is a golden opportunity to gain valuable mentorship, expand your network, and take a significant step forward in your career. I encourage you to register and join us for an inspiring and empowering session. It’s not too late, registration is still open and tickets are available. I can’t wait to see you on Monday, February 26, 2024! Let's make this Mentoring Monday a memorable one! 💼🌱 #MentoringMonday #WomenInBusiness #ProfessionalGrowth #CharlotteBusinessJournal

From the cotton fields of Clio, SC, to the promised land, this is where my sweet great-grandmother Lula Mae Woods now resides. A week ago today, we celebrated the life of my great-grandmother, whom I’ve shared here with my amazing LinkedIn community on a few occasions. She was 107 years old. From her date of birth, she lived (approximately): - 56,277,720 minutes - 937,962 hours - 39,168 days - 5,564 weeks - 1,284 months Lula Mae had truly seen — and done — it all. She didn’t have it easy. As an example, for every 100 pounds of cotton she’d chop and pull together, she was paid $1.50 or $1.75. She made her kids' clothes by hand (she had 10 children), managed laundry manually (no washer or dryer), and for many years, had no electrical appliances (she cooked using wood as the heat source). And yet, she continued to persevere, leading and loving her family, feeding her community, and sharing joy with people around the nation with a moral and ethical compass that is unmatched. My great-grandmother never complained and always said her blessings were not the result of anything she had done; it was the Lord. I could write many paragraphs talking about the wisdom she imparted and the depths of the seeds she planted in the lives of so many. And yet, through my sadness, I also feel immense pride and gratitude, especially as we approach Thanksgiving. Every time I feel as if I want to cry, I feel her strength. Every time I feel as if I want to retreat and hide from this busy world, I’m reminded of her legacy, which I will honor the only way I know how: by continuing to persevere and create a life that not only I’m proud of, but that she’d be proud of, too. A life where I will continue to strive and leave people, places, and things better than I found them. If I can be even a fraction of the virtuous woman that she was, I’ll be satisfied. Note: I captured these cotton field photos last summer. This view is from the front porch of the home where I grew up on Highway #9, where my grandparents, who raised me, still reside.

Last Friday evening, I had the honor of seeing my daughter and her teammates on the Ardrey Kell High School women’s soccer team receive their championship rings. This team, led by Head Coach Kim Montgomery and Assistant Coach Heather Frelin, not only had an amazing season that resulted in a 4A NCSSA State Championship win, but they created an incredible culture that was able to withstand adversity on many levels. Early on in the season, I had told my daughter—a freshman playing varsity soccer—that it would be her mental agility and mindset that would be the difference between a “good” season and a “great” season—and that so much of that mindset depended on looking through the lens of her team as a whole. This championship experience I witnessed is a reminder that no matter what you’re facing—whether you’re a leader, a partner or a spouse, a parent, a child, a teammate, or a colleague—it’s that sense of oneness, connection, and working toward the same goals (checking that ego at the door, because let’s be honest—we all have one!) is what’s going to carry you over the finish line. You might be thinking, “How do I get to that sense of oneness, Stacey?” Well, here are a few foundational values and elements that have worked for me: ✔️ Communicate often, openly, and honestly: This means the goals, the vision, the strategy—while asking for input from others on the plan as to how WE can get there TOGETHER makes a huge difference. How many times have you heard (or even said), “No one asked my opinion…and I’m the one who has to do the work!” Effective communication removes those barriers and fosters a higher degree of connectedness when everyone feels their voice and contributions are important to the end goal. ✔️ Be human. And be a VULNERABLE human. Allow those around you to experience the true essence of who you are. I promise you won’t regret it. You’ll be amazed as to how folks will rally around you and anchor you to ensure success. ✔️ Show empathy and compassion. I’ve written previously about empathy, and it’s never lost on me that we never truly know what the people around us are going through. Don’t make assumptions, develop your own false narratives, and draw inaccurate conclusions. Relax your shoulders, take a deep breath, and just be kind. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing—and yet, the value it brings is priceless! ✔️ And finally, express gratitude! There are times where we may experience turbulence, feel unbalanced, and truly not know what the next step is to move that boulder (whatever shape that boulder takes) up the hill. Once you begin to express gratitude and thanks for things being as well as they are, the peace that comes with that will overtake you—and clarity and understanding will surely follow. I hope this is helpful to someone, even if it’s simply to remind you of the lessons you already know. I want every one of us to realize our greatness and win! I mean that with every fiber of my being.

As I’ve been having conversations with a variety of people over the past few months, I’ve been hearing about their goals as they’re already thinking about Q4—and the year ahead. More than anything, companies are wanting to do two things: 1) "maximize shareholder value” and 2) make a positive impact on “the bottom line.” In order to do that, though, you’ve got to lean into another three-word phrase: “make employee investments.” As an HR leader, I’ve seen the tangible evidence that happens when companies value and invest in their employees. Engagement increases—and revenue follows suit. So, in my latest blog, I outline three actions you can take to invest in your employees: ✔️ Get clear on your EVP — “Employee Value Proposition.” What benefits and perks are you offering—both material and through things like professional development, connection with other employees, and a purpose in their work—to get new employees to check you out, and make it easier for current employees to stay? ✔️ Invest time and energy into clear communication. Employees want to understand where the company is headed, and what part they play in all of it — especially when there’s something big on the horizon, such as a merger or acquisition. ✔️Create psychologically safe workspaces. Employees thrive in environments where they can raise concerns, speak up if something doesn’t seem right, or offer an idea without someone laughing at, dismissing or downplaying it. Head to my blog (link in comments) to read more!

Today is my great-grandmother’s birthday. Lula Mae Woods is 107 years old on this day! My great-grandmother is a shining jewel, plain and simple. She’s one of the most important people in my life — I’m not sure where I would be if I didn’t have her and the rest of my family as my anchor. She is a woman that continues to persevere, leading with a moral and ethical compass that is unparalleled. Her grit and work ethic started in a tiny town — Clio, South Carolina — and has stretched all over the world and right here in the city of Charlotte as she continues to be my guidepost. The adage there is nothing new under the sun is true, she has seen and done it all. Her insights are as enduring and important to me as they were when I was small, spending days and nights at her house, asking questions about cooking, boys and how to bake a cake. I’ve often said I have a chip on my shoulder — but it’s something I view as an advantage and a strength, not a negative. My strong internal will to succeed — especially as I continue to blaze amazing new trails in my professional career — has all come from the character of the people that raised me, whose support and love has been unwavering. That chip on my shoulder isn’t going anywhere — and I thank Lula Mae for that gift. Today I smile, you smile, we all smile! Life is good!

Thanks to T.J. Mccullough at the Charlotte Business Journal, I was honored to attend the 2023 CFO of the Year event last night. The annual celebration recognizes some of our city’s top professionals for their outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards. I had a great time chatting with so many business leaders across various industry verticals. This event — and the recent news story about Charlotte being one of the “Best Places to Work” in the United States — makes it even more obvious that Charlotte is a business and economic powerhouse. And I'm thrilled to be one of the new businesses in our city’s ecosystem.

After I posted this week’s update on LinkedIn about the beginnings of my new business, UTurn Consulting (uturnconsultingllc.com), I cried tears of joy. I’ve been working on getting everything ready for the business behind-the-scenes, and as this week’s date neared, I started to wonder about the response I’d get. Would people be supportive? Would they understand? I needn’t have worried. Every time my phone pinged on Wednesday, I’d open it up and read an encouraging comment from all corners of my community: former team members, leaders, people I’ve gotten to know through this platform and other networking opportunities. It was an incredible reminder of the network I’ve built. One of those people who offered not only her congratulations but genuine excitement and unwavering support was my most recent leader, former CHRO at XPO, Josephine Berisha, by way of another trusted testimonial. I’ve always said that I’m the hardest-working woman in Ballantyne, but my hard work and effort pales in comparison to Josephine’s. I want to give her her flowers for being relentless in her pursuit of excellence and the unwavering support and care she shows to everyone around her. She is the best of the best! Josephine’s words mean so much. All of your words mean so much to me. I am humbled, always. Thank you.

What if you had the opportunity to take a step back in order to step forward? To cultivate a new direction for your life—be it family, career, business, or love? What if you were afforded the opportunity, without hardship, to truly become the captain of your own ship, and use your talents and treasures to help organizations in need? What if you felt the odds might be against you, but you know it only takes faith—the size of a mustard seed, coupled with action—to make your dreams a reality? Would you do it? Would you go on that journey? As I celebrate my birthday today and reflect on my career, I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege to partner with some of the most amazing companies on the planet: Wells Fargo, Charter Communications (Spectrum), and most recently, XPO—just to name a few. I’m humbled, grateful, and very proud. My previous employers owe me nothing—but to them, I dedicate the launch of my company, UTurn Consulting. It is because of those opportunities that I’m able to offer strategic HR services to organizations based on my direct, “hands on keyboard” experiences and approach to solving complex HR challenges. Through mergers, spin-offs, numerous global initiatives, building HR technology systems and departments from the ground up—while creating numerous roadmaps for the teams I’ve led—I have honed and sharpened both my strategy and execution skills. I’m eager to share this expertise with other organizations, as I know they can benefit from what I’ve learned. UTurn Consulting—named for a compliment I once received about my “HR turnaround skills”—will offer consulting and advisory services in areas such as HR strategy, organizational development, HR tech and systems, project management, M&A/spin-off/divestiture strategy, change management, employee experience, and more. From my experience, there’s a lot of churn, swirl, and wheel-spinning when it comes to many of these needs. I’m here to offer much needed peace of mind. I invite you to check out my new website (https://lnkd.in/eRFQ87-i). If you have anyone in your network that might need these services, please don’t hesitate to send them my way!