What’s Wrong with People? – Jason Edison
This is the fourth interview in this series What’s Wrong with People?
Q: Jason, I understand that Maryanne Robertson once worked for you. What was it like to mentor someone who went on to be so successful?
A: No, I wasn’t her mentor. We worked together at a consulting firm when she was right out of college. I was VP of HR there, and she and another consultant, Jeri, worked on assignments for clients going through mergers and acquisitions. They often sought my advice on HR issues. Occasionally, I’d travel with them to client engagements to lend support and expertise and was always impressed with them. I was proud and somewhat flattered when she found a career in HR. Perhaps I was an influence.
Q: You’ve had an interesting career in HR. How did it begin?
A: I thought I wanted to work in operations, so after college I joined a large company that rotated college hires through different departments. After 8 months, I applied for an operations position and got a call from the head of HR. Rather than offer me that job, she asked me to consider working for her as a recruiter.
Q: So you took the job?
A: She was a good sales person and convinced me I’d make a good recruiter. And I did. I moved on and worked at a search firm for a year then decided it wasn’t the place for me. I ended up at another company as an HR generalist to broaden my knowledge and experience. Over time, I moved into more responsible roles as my career progressed.
Q: Now you’re working as an independent consultant and executive coach. Why the change? Why did you leave a high-powered corporate job?
A: Because that high-powered corporate job came with high stress. I wanted more control over my life and my time.
My wife is an independent art dealer who travels a fair amount. I wanted the flexibility to join her, especially on trips to Asia. Since I’m a certified executive coach, I’ve developed a global clientele— so we often combine our business trips and take a few days for pleasure.
Q: But you still consult, right?
A: Yes, some. Primarily, I oversee younger consultants who do much of the actual work. My partner and I focus on business development and executive level projects.
Q: How do you stay current on HR developments?
A: Through industry groups and publications. But the most helpful and enjoyable way is through the networking group that Maryanne and I formed. We meet periodically with other HR executives to informally share developments and problems, and support each other. Of course, I still work closely with our clients, so I understand their issues.
Q: You seem to be busy with work and travelling. What about your spare time? What do you like to do when you have it?
A: I love to sail. In fact, I keep a sailboat at the Chicago Marina. Since I live and work downtown, it’s convenient. In the summer, when the weather’s right, I can take it out after work in the evenings.
Q: Before I let you go, can you tell me about any major issues you’re dealing with currently?
A: I can’t talk about client issues directly—confidentiality—but we did have a client issue recently where internally they let their own confidentiality standards slip. Let’s just say, their lawyers weren’t happy.
Q: I’m guessing that since you collaborate a lot with Maryanne and the others in your network, some of your experiences are in They Did What?
A: You are right. Hopefully, readers will learn that the folks who embrace the HR profession are a rare group who constantly manage in those shades of gray of human behavior. And you can get 15% off the print and eBook of They Did What? with code TDW2022 if you order by December 17, 2022.
ICYMI: Read prior interviews with Kyle Greene, Maryanne Robertson, and Judy Marshall