You’ve been at BL both before and after becoming 100% employee-owned. What changes have you noticed since we became employee-owned? Since becoming employee-owned, our employees have gained a voice, not just related to their technical work but in how we run our business. In any company, you want to make sure that employees feel welcomed and supported, but also heard. Becoming an ESOP definitely gave employees a voice and has been one of the biggest changes from my point of view.
Additionally, becoming an ESOP has had a positive impact on our culture, because we’re no longer working for a sole owner, but for ourselves, each other, and our future.
You’re involved with our leadership training program, can you share a little about what that is, how it came to be and the impact it makes? The Leadership Development Foundations Program (LDFP) was implemented in 2007, after we first became an ESOP in 2006, to tie our new ESOP to BL’s culture. All employees are encouraged to attend LDFP, regardless of their role at BL. Our leadership development is also designed to provide employee-owners with opportunities to increase their leadership skills and soft skills beyond their technical capabilities. Throughout the training, employee-owners also gain perspective on themselves through a self-assessment process, which helps them become more accurate in their evaluation of themselves.
LDFP provides all employees with a common language we can all use, and teaches us how to give and receive both critical and positive feedback so we can improve interactions and the environment at BL. It also gives folks an opportunity to meet people from other offices and disciplines, which helps build relationships throughout BL.
Overall, the LDFP training is for the employee-owner’s benefit, and it’s not related to their performance. LDFP isn’t graded, it’s designed to enhance our employee-owner’s skills so they can grow, become better professionals, and improve their relationship skills which benefits both our internal teammates as well as our external clients and business partners.
What’s your favorite part of your job? I love my job because I love connecting with all the employee-owners throughout the company. BL is unique in how many opportunities we have for our employees to grow as professionals, and getting to support our employee-owners throughout and help them be successful is one of my favorite parts of my job.
What do you like to do in your time outside of work? When I’m not at work, I love spending time outside in nature – hiking, walking, and exploring. I also love to travel and enjoy experiencing new cultures and traditions.