Canadian HR Award winners share the secret to success

Now in its 7th year, the Canadian HR Awards is the definitive voice of our industry – celebrating organizations, teams and individuals who’ve made a concerted effort to stand out, and stand up, in HR.

HRD Canada is currently calling for your nominations – up until June 29th – for people who you believe have made the past year so enjoyable. 

To give you a taste of what victory feels like, HRD contacted past winners to offer 2020 nominees some advice on what it takes to stand out from the crowd.

“Don’t be shy,” explained Gena Restivo, VP HR at AstraZeneca.

“Share your success stories! It can be challenging to cover everything within the word limit, so be sure to focus on the unique initiatives and notable successes then tell the story of how they came to life and the impact it had on your organization.”

Sarah Jansel, VP, People & Operations at Carfax, added that being your authentic self as a company is also a key differentiator.

“Being true to your core values and aligning core systems, process and programs to those values will ensure there’s a strong alignment people can truly see and feel,” explained Jansel.

“What we do in HR is centered all around people; putting people at the forefront of the experiences you want to create will ensure you deliver an exceptional experience.

“Feedback is so critical! Use every opportunity you have to listen and respond in a way that let people know you’ve not only heard their feedback, but are implementing it in ways that are meaningful.”

Beth Tyndall, Chief People Officer, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, also recommends showcasing your passion and really letting it shine through.

“In addition to our great work, it was important to make sure we captured the energy and spirit that our team brings to work every day,” she told HRD. “Ultimately, I think that’s what helped set us apart.

“I’d also recommend getting some input from business partners. Feedback we heard from colleagues about our achievements helped us focus our submission on the most important outcomes.

“And lastly, don’t be afraid to have fun. We had a film crew come by our office to film a short video with our leadership team. While it wouldn’t win any awards on its own, it did highlight what a dynamic team and work environment we have at Ontario Teachers’.”

For full information, visit www.hrawards.ca or contact the team at [email protected].