My First Year as a HR Manager for an NBA Team

Written October 2, 2019

I ask employees and candidates every day, “So what’s your dream job?”

Regardless of the array of answers I get, I totally get why people love to answer that specific question. There’s the increase in your heart rate; there’s an instant serotonin rush to your brain because you get excited about the possibilities; it just feels good to think about landing your dream job. For adults, that question is the equivalent of asking a toddler, “so what do you want for your birthday?”

In September, 2018, I finally landed my dream job. It wasn’t so much the role or responsibilities that made it my dream job; instead, it was the role and responsibilities combined with the organization – a professional basketball league.

No, I’m not a coach or a player. I’m just your average Human Resources Manager, and I work for an NBA team! That’s just too cool to say.

I just finished my first season with the team, and even though I have been doing some facet of Human Resources for more than 15 years, I have learned a few lessons that I want to forward on to anyone who wants to land their own DREAM JOB!

Want to Land Your Dream Job with the NBA?

Lesson #1

Know what season you are in!

Everyone knows that there is a season of grit and grind, of hustle, of ‘getting things done’ for any organization or team such as an NBA team. Being in season is obvious when you’re an NBA team, but being in season isn’t always that clear when you are a senior thinking about your first job out of college or when you’re a rookie marketing professional still learning all of the names of your co-workers. While others around you may be progressing at school or in their jobs at a productive capacity, you may still be wondering when will your season of getting things will be done happen.

Know this: everyone has a different season. In my job, most of my co-workers are

Lesson #2

Managing without authority is okay; it’s just part of your growth process.

Lesson #3

Keep your desk clean.

Lesson #4

Preparation in the Off-Season is the Foundation for Your Success

Lesson #5

Don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.

Finally, after ten years happily married, raising a son, working in a career that was unexpected and living far from my hometown in Texas, I finally felt like I belonged, like I contributed to a group of people who understood me, challenged me, celebrated my successes with me, and helped me pick myself up when life dealt me unbearable grief and pain. My tribe.

And ever since that first Ladies Night Out (LNO) in September, 2007, I have hosted and attended some sort of LNO every year. Finding this group of women, which changes from year to year, not only recharges my batteries, but it connects me to women who are simultaneously just like me and at the same time so very different.

Having ‘a tribe’ reminds me that women from all cultures, all races, all socio-economic backgrounds, all religions, all levels of education can find commonalities, can inspire one another, can help each other personally and professionally, and can gain strength in each other’s stories.

Recently, I discovered another kind of tribe: Memphis Women Rock.

Cool name, right?

Memphis Women Rock (MWR) is essentially a ‘connector’ of women. MWR hosts events for women here in Memphis in an effort to bring together diverse thoughts, races, and cultures so that women can become more unified. And when we are unified as women – nothing can stop us or separate us from doing great things for our community. I can’t help but think that my small effort back in 2007 to bring women together for a night out somehow ‘fed’ this idea of unifying women. Family, relationships, careers – they will all evolve and eventually dissipate over our lifetimes, but the power of women to inspire and to positively change the world around them will never cease.

I love what CEO of MWR, Tamera Sutton, says:

“I may step in the room, meeting, and platform to the naked eye as one, but I have a tribe of women behind me." step in the room, meeting, and platform to the naked eye as one, but I have a tribe of women behind me."

So I ask you, my friend…

Do you have a tribe of women behind you?

This Saturday, MWR is hosting Cocktails & Conversations at The Guest House at Graceland. My friend, Brandi Jo Middleton, Mrs. Tennessee International 2019, will be one of four women leading great conversations over cocktails, small food plates, music, and local vendors.

If you haven’t found your ‘tribe’ of powerful women, yet, I want to encourage you to come out this Saturday night, September 7th at 6:00pm to The Guest House. Meet these brilliant, beautiful and fearless women; find out that you are just as fearless, just as beautiful, and just as brilliant as they are!

Don’t wait until your 38 to find your tribe. And if you’re over the age of 38, come find me! LOL I’m no longer the new girl in town. No longer 29. No longer skinny.

But I am part of a tribe of women here in Memphis that makes a difference for others. Memphis Women Rock. See you Saturday!

For more information about tickets, go to https://www.memphiswomenrock.com/cocktails