A true team player – meet People Director Lynn Morrison

Being part of a network of senior HR Directors was key to attracting People Director Lynn Morrison to People Puzzles  – ‘One of the real plusses for me is the support of the team that you get from People Puzzles, as opposed to working for yourself in a similar role’. Lynn joined People Puzzles in 2017 and has become a key member of the Northern Team, inspiring others in her team to fundraise for Dementia UK. Read this interview in which she describes the importance of that team support.

In what way has PP helped you to thrive? 

Without doubt, it has 100% given me a good work-life balance.  My mum had dementia and I was working as an HR Director.  I wanted to work part-time, but my employer couldn’t facilitate me going down to 4 days.  I was then introduced to Debs (Debra Lee, Regional Director, Northern Region). Joining People Puzzles gave me my life back so I could put my family first.

As well as a work-life balance, I love working with my clients, because they want help, and they recognise  the difference we can make to their growth. They welcome you with open arms, and it is wonderful to help them on that journey.

Have you had one stand out moment when you have felt lucky to work with PP? 

It is hard to find just one, but one of the real plusses for me is the support of the team that you get from People Puzzles, as opposed to working for yourself in a similar role.  When facing a challenge – whether personal or professional – there is a team to support and help you.  We are a people business, and we do people really well.   That is precious.  I’ve recently sweated blood, sweat and tears over writing job descriptions for a business. Then I saw a request from someone in the wider national team for similar job descriptions   so I gave them away to that person.  We share. It is those moments where we are just one team that make People Puzzles quite special.

What have you found most meaningful about your work with PP and their clients? 

It is the difference that we make to people and businesses.  Of course, the client businesses are ambitious and successful and become more so through working with us.  Being part of that as a People Director means you help people (including CEO’s) grow, maximise  their capabilities, and become the people they didn’t even know they could become.  It is an absolute privilege and brings me huge joy that when I do my leadership coaching, I can make a difference to somebody else in a tangible way.

Tell me about some interesting Client work that you have carried out.

I helped Laxtons Specialist Yarns put a strong leadership team in place; move the workforce from day working to a shift working pattern; carry out an organisational redesign; and put proper people processes in place.   I worked with We Seal for 3 years. Initially I was firefighting, but then we reached a place where I was able to carry out more strategic work and create a people plan. I did the whole kit and kaboodle from leadership development, ensuring they had the right people on team, recruiting at right level, succession planning, values, behaviours and business planning. Over two years I mentored their in-house HR manager to the point that I could exit, which was thrilling With one of my new clients, the Discovery phase is complete and we now have a people plan to support their quadruple growth aspirations. I have implemented a leadership coaching programme for the top team and we are also looking at reward, talent, succession planning and employer branding.

What areas are you passionate about outside of your work?

I love my two cockerpoo puppies and gardening.   I live in Harrogate, so I am very fortunate to have lots of trees and it is wonderful at this time of year to see the beautiful trees and flowers in  bloom and feel the arrival of Summer.  My other passion is that I sing in a large 150 strong choir in Harrogate.

 

What excites you most about the next 5 years of your career with PP?  

The shift towards to coaching is welcome because I like that focus on taking someone on a journey through 1:1 sessions, from wherever they are as a leader to that point of good/great.  It enables me to properly use my skills developed during my Level 7 Executive Coaching qualification.