Here at HR Daily Advisor, HR Benefits Week is well underway, and this week’s Faces of HR column celebrates a professional who continues to help move the needle forward in the industry.
Meet Sandra Williams, a seasoned benefits professional whose impressive three-decade journey within the Human Resources (HR) realm paints a vivid picture of dedication and expertise. From the intricacies of benefits administration and strategic recruitment to the nuances of HR policy, contract negotiations, and fostering progress through effective people management, Williams’s experience spans a diverse range of industries, including hospitality, retail, insurance, and healthcare. A firm believer in continuous learning, she holds numerous HR certifications, actively maintaining and pursuing further professional development.
For more than two decades, Williams has been an integral part of Tampa General Hospital and currently serves as the Director of Benefits. Her tenure reflects a deep commitment to the organization and the well-being of its people.
Williams’ entry into the HR field was, by her own admission, somewhat unexpected. “I started as a flexible benefits coordinator at a third-party administrator in the early 1990s,” she recounts.
At the time, Williams was a recent graduate of Louisiana Tech University who had just relocated to Tampa, Florida. She embarked on her HR career without prior job experience, proving that passion and a willingness to learn can lay the foundation for a remarkable and impactful professional life.
In our latest Faces, meet Sandra Williams.
Who is/was your biggest influence in the industry?
I would say Ray Kendricks, former VP of HR, at Tampa General Hospital. He gave me the opportunity to work here at TGH.
What’s your best mistake and what did you learn from it?
My biggest mistake was leaving a job for more money that I literally hated. I took a job as a tax secretary. I learned that money should not always be your motivator if you do not enjoy what you are doing. It can really be miserable.
What’s your favorite part about working in the industry? What’s your least favorite part, and how would you change it?
My favorite part about this industry is the variety of people that I have met and had the opportunity to help over the years. Also, the ever-changing laws which means you have you have to stay abreast with laws. My least favorite is when leaders do no recognize that you cannot communicate with everyone the same way. Recognize we all are different, learn differently, and create different channels of communication.
It sounds like through your experience you really care about people, and you want to help them feel safe and comfortable, which is important in the industry. Please elaborate here.
Yes, sometimes, I think I care too much about people if there is such a thing. Honestly, I believe people are taking the “human” out of human resources. As technology changes and improves, the emotions can be left out.
How can HR most effectively demonstrate its value to the leadership team?
HR has to show leadership that we are on the same team. We have a common goal. Communication is key. It must be clear and easily understood. We should come together and develop strategies. Stay engaged. I strongly believe in diversity and inclusion.
Where do you see the industry heading in five years? Or are you seeing any current trends?
I believe as technology enhances and gets better, there will be less people, more automation and an increased remote workforce.
What are you most proud of?
From a personal perspective, I am proud of the fact that I was able to beat statistics. I was raised by a single father who died when I was 17 years old. Despite that, I graduated from high school, had a child at age 21, graduated from college, moved to Florida and later got a master’s degree. I now work for one of the best hospitals in the Tampa Bay area and I am very proud to be here.
Do you have any advice for people entering the profession?
My advice would be, don’t focus on one area of human resources. Experience all areas before you settle on what’s right for you and know that everything is not always black and white. Additionally, I would just say that human resources is a special area in my opinion. If you truly do not like people, I really do not feel that you belong in this field.
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