Jenifer Phillips is a tenacious lifelong learner who is in her happy place listening to podcasts, watching her daughter play softball, and driving to the West Coast in her 1975 International Scout II. She also brightens up at the opportunity to discuss the impact of professional coaching and daring leadership in the workplace.
As an IPMA-HR certified executive (IPMA-CE) and a professional certified coach (PCC) who holds a master’s degree in organizational development, Phillips is a consummate workplace leader who says she has no problem admitting when she doesn’t know the answer to a question.
“I really wish more leaders would be vulnerable enough to say, ‘you know what… I don’t know, but let’s find out’,” she said. “Approaching problem solving and collaboration from a place of genuine curiosity opens the door to endless possibilities.”
Phillips took time out of her busy day to discuss her motivations as a working mom and the trajectory of her professional career with IPMA-HR.
From your extensive education, it appears you decided early on in life to enter the human resources field. Would you please shed some light on the factors that influenced this career decision?
As a third-generation, Mexican American female, my parents always stressed the importance of education and self-sufficiency.
I am the eldest of 12 grandchildren in my immediate family and the first grandchild to attend college. It was important to set an example that no matter your circumstances, with grit and determination, anything is attainable.
I’m also proud to say that as of this June, several of my younger cousins have attended and graduated from college.
I was a business major at California Polytechnic University—Pomona and hadn’t selected a concentration. As I began to learn more about the field of HR, I was intrigued. I’ve always excelled in the “people” side of business. Learning about how people are uniquely motivated and developed has been and is still my favorite part of what I do.
Before working in city government, you worked for an information technology company (Ingram Micro) and a non-profit agency (Foothill Family Service). You’ve now been a public sector HR analyst and deputy director for the better part of two decades. What are some of the greatest differences you’ve encountered working in the for-profit, non-profit and public sector environments?
That’s a great question. I think most would assume that human resources is relatively the same no matter the sector or organization. In my experience I can say that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Not only is the business model vastly different but the challenges and opportunities are equally diverse. Obviously, with a for-profit company like Ingram Micro, I worked to ensure the stakeholders in the company were pleased. I was farther removed from what lights me up … finding, developing and retaining great employees.
I will say that once I began my public sector career at the City of Santa Clarita, the role immediately felt different. It was during this time that I really honed my leadership style and my passion for servant leadership in the workplace.
As an IPMA-HR certified executive (IPMA-CE) and a professional certified coach (PCC) who holds a master’s degree in organizational development, you clearly have embraced education as a way of making an impact at the workplace. What drives you to be so accomplished? How have you applied some of the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired in the classroom to your day-to-day responsibilities as a City of Rancho Cucamonga employee?
I wholeheartedly embrace being a lifelong learner. I think that this was instilled during my childhood. My parents (like most) wanted better for me than they had and worked very hard to make education possible.
I am a leader that has no problem admitting when I don’t know the answer to a question. I really wish more leaders would be vulnerable enough to say “you know what … I don’t know, but let’s find out.” Approaching problem solving and collaboration from a place of genuine curiosity opens the door to endless possibilities.
My education, specifically my PCC and Daring Way™️ Credential (Brené Brown), has transformed the way that I show up at work each day.
The space that I get to share with our leadership team, work groups and individuals is incredibly rewarding.
During the summer of 2020, I began hosting virtual Rising Strong™️ cohorts once per week to discuss resiliency, fear and vulnerability; those were some of the most impactful weeks of my 25-year career.
I hosted a webinar on Rising Strong™️ for IPMA-HR in December of 2021 (“Resilience Training in Rancho Cucamonga During the COVID-19 Pandemic”). If you’re interested, I’d encourage you to view it. Or reach out to me directly on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to share about the impact of professional coaching and daring leadership in the workplace.
How long have you been an IPMA-HR member, and which member benefit do you value the most?
I have been an IPMA-HR for 12 years. There are so many great benefits. I think the annual conference offers wonderful, diverse education tracks.
Also, I enjoy the archived webinars. Sometimes I’m unable to make a live one but I’m grateful that I can watch it on demand or listen on my commute home.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside the office? Would you like to share your passions, hobbies and/or interests with your peers?
I really enjoy listening to podcasts (current events and true crime are my favorites).
If I’m not at one of my daughter’s softball games, I’m likely at Dodger Stadium rooting on the boys in blue or taking my 1975 International Scout II for a drive to the coast.
If there’s one thing you learned from the experience of living and working through a global pandemic, what is it? Have you been able to find the silver lining in such an astoundingly dark cloud?
The past few years have absolutely been the most challenging of my career—as a mom of school-aged children, as a wife of a law enforcement officer and as an HR professional.
I’ve learned that it’s not only OK to slow down; it’s necessary.
I’ve learned the importance of giving myself and those around me grace. Sometimes good enough is just that—good enough (and that’s OK).
I’ve also gotten very clear on my personal values and boundaries around work, family and self-care. This always seemed to be an insurmountable task throughout my career, you know that feeling of “whack-a-mole” between life and work. It can feel like a hamster wheel at times.
The silver lining for me has been getting crystal-clear on my goals, my values and the boundaries necessary to make it all happen without losing myself.
09 August 2022
Category
HR News Article