Lashawn Davis serves as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The HR Plug, LLC, a prominent HR consulting firm. Davis also hosts and coordinates the annual UNPLUG HR Business Conference. Her work extends beyond the business realm, with the publication of her book, “At the Pinnacle of Greatness: Fulfilling the Design of Your God-Given DNA,” which is available for purchase at all major book retailers. Davis’s vast experience, coupled with her expertise in human resources and business management, has made her an influential figure in the industry.
You are an influential HR Expert. What would you say it takes to be successful in your career field?
To be successful in any career, it’s crucial to establish a professional brand that truly reflects who you are. Understanding yourself helps set clear boundaries regarding where you’ll work and ensures you can articulate your unique value with confidence. This self-awareness is crucial; it allows you to present yourself as indispensable by highlighting your unique talents confidently and distinctively. Ultimately, the key to thriving in your career is to forge a professional identity rooted in authenticity, positioning you as a top-tier professional in your field.
What are some of the ups and downs of your duties and how do you tackle them effectively?
Working in HR presents its challenges and rewards. A significant challenge is our role as influencers rather than decision-makers. We strive to ensure that business leaders prioritize their people, who are the heart of the company, over mere profits and performance metrics. It can be tough to shift their perspective, but it’s crucial for fostering a supportive work environment. Another difficulty is encountering employees who don’t see their own potential and settle for less, rather than striving for career advancement. It’s disheartening when individuals don’t aspire to achieve more for themselves.
On the flip side, the rewards are deeply fulfilling. Witnessing employees succeed and knowing I’ve played a part in their personal growth reminds me why I’m here: for the people. When someone shares how I’ve positively impacted their life, it reinvigorates my commitment to this profession and underscores the profound influence HR can have on individual lives.
Do you feel there is a difference in pay in the corporate world based on race or gender? If so, please explain what you feel it pertains to.
In the corporate world, pay disparities are evident, often rooted in the basic business principle of getting more for less. Employers typically offer a lower salary than they might be willing to pay because, in business, unnecessary spending isn’t a practice—unless prompted, companies won’t offer more. This mindset leads to significant pay gaps. These gaps are not just about gender or race; they’re about how individuals engage with the business aspects of their roles.
Statistically, men are more likely to view job relationships as business transactions and negotiate accordingly. Women, however, often approach these relationships with a nurturing mindset, hoping hard work will be recognized without needing to advocate for themselves. This difference in approach contributes to the gender pay gap. Furthermore, underlying biases and assumptions about individuals based on race and gender exacerbate these disparities.
The solution lies in empowerment through education—teaching all individuals, especially those from underserved populations, to recognize and navigate their work relationships as business transactions. By understanding how to advocate effectively for themselves and negotiate for what they deserve, employees can begin to close these gaps. This empowerment will lead to more equitable compensation as individuals demand fair recognition for the value they bring to their roles.
Do men make more than women in the work industry?
Yes, it is well-documented that on average, women earn less than men, which is often quantified as earning less “on the dollar” compared to their male counterparts. The Equal Pay Act, enacted in 1963, was designed to address this disparity by making it illegal to pay different wages to men and women if they perform equal work in the same workplace. However, despite this legislation, the pay gap persists, and much of it can be attributed to negotiation practices and the value perception of women’s work in various industries.
Women often enter male-dominated fields feeling fortunate to be given a chance, which can affect their willingness to negotiate aggressively. This mindset needs to shift from gratitude for the opportunity to recognition of the value that women bring to these roles. Women should be encouraged to see their employment decision as beneficial for the company and to articulate their worth in business terms, showing quantitative and qualitative results. While qualitative achievements are generally easier to communicate, quantifying one’s impact can significantly strengthen a case for equal or better pay.
Encouraging women to advocate for themselves and negotiate effectively is key to making strides in achieving pay equity. This proactive approach, supported by a solid understanding of both qualitative and quantitative contributions, can help bridge the gap and foster a more equitable workplace environment.
What are some helpful tips to presenting a resume that gets you an interview?
Here are some additional tips for crafting a resume that effectively lands you an interview:
- Tailor Your Resume for Each Job: Customize your resume to highlight the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job description. Use keywords from the job posting to make your resume more searchable and appealing to applicant tracking systems.
- Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. This could include percentages, time frames, or other measurable outcomes that demonstrate the impact of your work.
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Especially if you’re changing industries or roles, emphasize skills that are transferable across different jobs, such as leadership, communication, project management, or technical skills.
- Keep It Concise: Aim for a resume that is one page if you’re early in your career, or two pages for more experienced professionals. Keep your language clear and concise, and ensure that every word on the resume adds value.
- Professional Format and Design: Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors that could detract from the content of your resume.
- Include a Professional Summary: Start with a strong headline or summary that clearly communicates your career objectives and unique value proposition. This section should immediately catch the attention of hiring managers.
- Proofread Thoroughly: Spelling or grammatical errors can make a poor impression. Proofread your resume multiple times, and consider having a friend or mentor review it to catch any mistakes you might have missed.
By focusing on these aspects, you can create a compelling resume that showcases your qualifications and aligns with the needs of employers, thereby increasing your chances of securing an interview.
What programs or community events do you offer to help individuals in communities of color find work?
Our organization is committed to empowering individuals in communities of color through a variety of programs designed to enhance professional and personal development. We provide services that help participants discover their professional brand and identify career paths that leverage their strengths. Our offerings include workshops, training, coaching, seminars, and conferences focused on well-being and effective presence in the workplace. Additionally, we offer leadership training and development programs tailored to cultivate essential skills for advancement.
For organizations aiming to create people-centric cultures or improve HR processes, we offer consulting services that make a direct impact on the employee experience. This includes support for all-sized businesses that need expert guidance in building and maintaining effective HR frameworks.
In addition to organizational consulting that enhances people-centric cultures and HR processes, we offer a unique mentorship program. This program provides group coaching to help individuals uncover their greatness and live as the best versions of themselves. Recognizing that true performance improvement begins with self-awareness, our mentorship is centered on a journey of self-discovery, ensuring that individuals are not strangers to themselves but are empowered to achieve their full potential. These initiatives are crucial in our mission to foster inclusive workplaces and support the professional and personal growth of those in communities of color.
What’s next for you in the upcoming months? Any upcoming events?
In the coming months, we are excited to launch the “UNPLUG Experience Tour,” which will travel to cities this year. This unique tour offers an in-person, intimate training session designed for small groups, focusing on personal and professional growth in a fully immersive environment. The full-day sessions are crafted to empower attendees to disconnect from their daily routines and engage deeply with transformative content that fosters self-awareness and growth. This experience is not just about learning but about transforming in a space tailored to nurture and challenge participants.
Additionally, we are in the planning stages for our 2025 UNPLUG Conference Event in Atlanta. More details will be available soon, and updates will be posted on our website. To stay informed about this and other future events, please visit our website at www.unplugconference.com.
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Photography of LaShawn Davis is provided courtesy of The HR Plug, LLC & Sean Woods Media
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