I’m a firm believer that every company needs a Lise Nyrop in their ranks. Or at very least, someone like her. As the Global Director of Human Resources for StorageMart, she wears a variety of hats, and she does so with humor and insight. I’ve heard her team describe her as an amazing boss, which doesn’t surprise me a bit. Read on and you’ll see what I mean…
What do you do at StorageMart?
FUNNY ANSWER: Some days, I have no idea!
SERIOUS ANSWER: I am the head of Human Resources. That can mean anything on any given day. Most days, I do a great deal of talking. Talking to employees. Talking to supervisors. Talking to staff. Talking to vendors. My preference is to approach my job as a way to find solutions, make lives a little better. It really isn’t all about the problems.
How long have you been at StorageMart?
FUNNY ANSWER: Too long!
SERIOUS ANSWER: The literal answer is a little over 3 years. I started May 15, 2017. Some people comment that it seems like I’ve been here forever. I take that as a compliment – that I am a comfortable person to be around. At least sometimes.
Is there a particular turning point in your professional experience that really helped define your career path?
FUNNY ANSWER: If I followed all the turning points, who knows where I would be?!
SERIOUS ANSWER: There have been lots of little moments and big moments that have defined my career overall. But I started very non-traditionally – my first real profession as a Production Stage Manager for a number of theaters across the country. When I got into HR, my interview answer was “It’s all drama, just different settings.” All joking aside, the moments that have reminded me why I was in this profession are those moments when my advice, or perspective, or guidance made a positive difference. I have so many wonderful stories along those lines – where I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to learn the lessons of humility and strength from others.
To what or whom have you turned to for inspiration throughout your career?
FUNNY ANSWER: Stand-up comedians.
SERIOUS ANSWER: No specific “whats” or “whos” – throughout my life, I’ve had friends who have opened my eyes, taught me something, subtly changing my direction like a rock in a stream.
What are some qualities of strong leadership that have proved important but are often overlooked in a professional setting?
FUNNY ANSWER: I’ve learned a great deal about what NOT TO DO.
SERIOUS ANSWER: Listening, truly listening is one of the BEST qualities of strong leadership. People often think leadership is about guiding or bossing or telling. I think that listening is #1. And letting people try – a little failure teaches as much or more than a huge success. Providing feedback is a close #2. We all need real-time feedback on how we’re doing, what we’re doing.
Based on your experience, what is one thing managers or execs could do better to support and encourage women in the workplace?
FUNNY ANSWER: Actually understand that women are fully functional human beings.
SERIOUS ANSWER: Stop making assumptions about what women can or cannot; will or will not do. And valuing the differing perspective that a woman may have. Just because it may be softer, doesn’t mean it is not “business-like.” Lose the conscious/unconscious bias about how women should act – RBF is never applied to men. A woman is aggressive; a man is strong – really? Lots of that stuff.
What is one thing a leader has done to help promote women in the workplace — either organizationally or for you personally?
FUNNY ANSWER: The leader who said I couldn’t just because I was a woman. I showed him!
SERIOUS ANSWER: Seeing women in leadership positions, although I have not seen many in the “C-suite.” And for women leaders to seriously mentor young women. Not much of that – I would love to see more.
Tell us a bit about what you do when you aren’t busy being a rock star at work.
FUNNY ANSWER: Whatever my wife tells me to!
SERIOUS ANSWER: I read. I travel when I can. I garden. I fix things (basic electricity, carpentry).
