Meet Ruthie: Culture Enthusiast

Team Member Interview

Name: Ruthie Barnett

Role: Director of Talent Development

Time spent at Persolvent: A little over a year

Ruthie and Childhood Friends

What do you do at Persolvent? What would I come to you for?

I help hire, retain, and develop our team. Basically, I’m here to address concerns, strengthen our culture, and ensure all team members have the information and resources they need to be successful! Listening to feedback and taking good care of the team are key pieces of us being one the Best Places to Work.

What would you tell a new team member on their first day?

I tell every new team member this:

“You have something none of the rest of us have – a fresh pair of eyes. You bring a new perspective and a different experience that is very valuable. You will see blind spots or inefficiencies in our processes that we have grown accustomed to. I encourage you to ask questions and bring up new ideas to your supervisor and fellow team members.  You are part of a company that is passionate about continually improving and that’s something everyone contributes to.”

How have you grown at Persolvent?

Oh man, I have grown so much. In my previous roles, I’ve gotten to work in many aspects of HR but really specializing in creating a great hiring process. At Persolvent, I have opportunities to dive deeper into areas that have always intrigued me, like employer branding, professional development, leadership development, organizational structure, and more strategic work.  I’ve really loved listening to feedback from team members and adjusting various processes and policies accordingly. Team members are our internal customers and I love creating a great experience for the team.

What is your go-to productivity trick?

I follow a system called Getting Things Done by David Allen. When I find myself swimming with thoughts and tasks, I write them all down, sort them based on priority, then buckle down on the top priority. Another solid method is the Pomodoro technique, where you set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work and then take a break. Both help me immensely with focus and execution!

Plant Mom

What was your first job?

My first official job in high school was as an associate in the shoe department at Kohls. Working in retail was a great experience; after picking up after so many shoppers, I find I am a relatively neat shopper, even taking items I try on back to the original rack.

What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?

A video of my two-year-old nephew playing with a toad saying, “My toad. I love toads”. He and his siblings recently moved to the country and are loving it!

Who inspires you? Why?

I had the pleasure of working for and with Karen Bailey in Human Resources at my previous company for four years. That was a formative experience for me; I often say I got an advanced degree at the Karen Bailey School of Diplomacy. She is masterful at dealing kindly and fairly with everyone and displays a great balance of strength and warmth. She trusted and empowered me and I think of that often when I supervise my team. She is more than just a former supervisor; she is a friend and mentor of mine to this day.

A favorite memory from the past year?

I thoroughly enjoyed my honeymoon up north last summer. My husband, Alex, planned the whole trip, which was awesome, and our favorite place was Gunflint Lodge, a beautiful spot about an hour from Grand Marais, MN. The food was amazing; the ribs with wild blueberry barbecue sauce were a standout. We went hiking, boating, paddle-boarding and I even went zip-lining for the first time.

Ruthie and Alex on their Honeymoon

What are three words your friends use to describe you?

Caring, loyal, and action-oriented. I am aware that my action-oriented mindset can tip over into a weakness, so I find ways to check-in with myself before just diving in. William Shakespeare has a saying, “Your greatest strength begets your greatest weakness.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind!

How do you like your eggs?

Fried on an English muffin with a sausage patty and cheese, basically a homemade Egg McMuffin. It’s better than McDonald’s.

Homemade Egg McMuffin