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Stacia Harvey Randall started her hospitality journey 22 years ago at the age of 21 as a Front Desk Agent and has worked her way up to become Director of Human Resources at The Whitley Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Atlanta. Through perseverance, she has overcome many obstacles––some created by others and some she created herself that kept her from moving forward. Stacia shares herstory of how she kept going even when her path was blocked and how she learned to pivot.
I started my career when I was 21 years of age, 22 years ago as a Front Desk Agent for the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, and worked my way up to a Director of Human Resources. I have held various positions such as Front Desk Supervisor/Trainer, Room Control Clerk, Assistant Front Office Manager, Reservations Supervisor, Communications Manager, Hotel Assistant Manager, HR Manager, Assistant Director of Human Resources, and now Director.
Throughout my journey, I was told that in order to step foot in HR I needed to complete my studies and graduate from college. Well, it took me six years, but I did that and then obtained a Master's degree. When I reached back out to the individual that told me what I needed to do to enter HR there wasn't an opportunity for me. This became a barrier of disappointment. I continued my path in Rooms still hoping for a door to open in HR. I kept moving up in Rooms and even when I interviewed for HR roles, I still landed a Rooms Position. This became a barrier of frustration.
Stop accepting what someone wants to give you and go after what you earned!!
I still kept going and I realized stop accepting what someone wants to give you and go after what you earned!! Then a door opened in HR with Omni Hotels and Resorts. I felt I finally made it, and I had to prove to myself that I chose the right career and followed my passion.
As I climbed the ladder and stayed in the role of Assistant Director of Human Resources for six years. I kept saying that I wasn't ready to be an HR Director. The reality was, I was already doing the job but had created the barrier of fear, the barrier of failure, and the barrier of uncertainty.
One day I was sitting in a diversity meeting and we were discussing barriers for women of color, I started talking about always saying I am not ready. I then realized and started questioning myself in deep discussion, "Why am I not ready?" "What am I waiting for? What am I afraid of? Why am I counting things that could go wrong and not things that can go right?" I came to the realization that you will never be ready for your dream job.
"Why am I not ready?" "What am I waiting for? What am I you afraid of? Why am I counting things that could go wrong and not things that can go right?" I came to the realization that you will never be ready for your dream job.
I sat and looked back on my career journey, and said to myself....you came a long way, you survived Hurricane Katrina with a layoff, you took steps back to realign yourself and move forward, you survived the pandemic with a layoff again, you got back up and jumped into the hotel realm with no hesitation.
The drive became more motivating, more meaningful, and more inspiring. I then began to break the barrier, step out on faith, and reach the goal. I am so glad that I did!!
I go to work with a purpose, I lead with a heart, I develop leaders to become stronger leaders, I redirect negative environments, and I touch people's lives with inspiring testimonies of my own to keep them going.
Don't let the barriers burden you from what you are destined to be. Knock them down fearlessly and if you make a mistake, learn from it, and remember not to do it again. You owe yourself that.
Now that I am with HEI, I am able to be all that I wanted to be and pave the way for others that have barriers and guide them to the destination of their dreams.
Many successful people aren't willing to share their weaknesses, now that I am here I want women to know they are not alone. They have a voice, they have feelings, and never let them be barriers.
So inspiring, thank you, Stacia!! Before you go, let's have a quickfire:
What is your morning routine?
My morning routine is daily prayer to help prepare me for challenges for the day, a great breakfast, and finding something motivational to read on LinkedIn.
What do you do for self-care / exercise?
My self care exercise is walking, and ensuring I keep my nail and pedicure appointments no matter what.
As an HR pro, what is the one interview question that people find most difficult?
If you can change one thing about yourself what would it be?
What is your top tip for anyone job hunting right now?
My top tip for job hunting is to build connections while you are searching and find ways to advertise your skill sets using LinkedIn.
What changes would you like to see in the workplace for women?
Changes that I would like to see in the workplace for women are more childcare options and flexibility with hours for mothers to be able to provide support for their children and reach their career goals.
What book/Netflix/podcast are you into right now?
Right now I am reading the book "Leading the Workforce of the Future: Inspiring a Mindset of Passion, Innovation, and Growth" by Brigette Hyacinth and I have been viewing many Ted Talks.