Human Resource Professional Day: Recognizing the importance of the HR function

Meagan Montelongo
HR Manager
Safran Power Units

• How do you cultivate a culture of teamwork?

Company culture and teamwork begin at the leadership level. I strive to support our leadership team and promote a collaborative environment through communication.  It’s also about celebrating the teams’ wins – big and small. I believe our leadership team does a great job of this, and I feel fortunate to have their support as well. 

• Can you an example of the power of teamwork?

Safran Power Units’ San Diego and Dallas teams are relatively small. We all wear multiple hats each day to accomplish the needs of the business. If it were not for the flexibility of the teams, I am not sure how we would accomplish it all.  

• What are your tips for a successful career in HR?

Don’t be afraid to take on new responsibilities, but embrace them as learning opportunities. Continue to have a hunger for knowledge and welcome changes (even when they seem overwhelming). But the most important tip is to simply have fun! We spend more time during the week with our coworkers than anyone else, therefore enjoy it the best you can. 

Greta Parra
Senior Regional HR Director
Safran Cabin

• What is your favorite aspect of working in HR? 

People! My goal is to make a difference every day. I find passion in making a difference every day by providing answers and solutions to our Talents and the business. Each day is unique, filled with challenges, but also wonderful surprises. Despite occasional frustrations, I believe anything is possible, and there is always a solution for any challenge that arises. In a diverse, flexible, and changing world, we must embrace diversity, inclusivity, agility, and flexibility in HR. I work with a very diverse and inclusive team; we have different backgrounds, which makes us all so rich in knowledge.

• How important is teamwork in human resources? 

Teamwork is crucial as it allows us to evolve faster and provide better support compared to working individually. Together, we can prevent reinventing the wheel. When we have a project, we come together to brainstorm, share relevant thoughts and ideas, and exchange best practices. I believe that to excel in HR, one needs many years of experience as we influence people, and that wisdom comes with time. When we collaborate as a team, all those years of wisdom unite. I strongly believe that HR cannot work in isolation and succeed. We must work as a team, improve, evolve, and align our goals. HR succeeds through collaboration and the participation of talented individuals who may not work directly in HR but share the same passion.

• Please share an example of the power of teamwork

I was involved in a project that required a broader perspective and input from as many opinions as possible. Given the time constraints, if I had worked alone, I would have collected information from a small group and checked the box. However, the project needed feedback and insights from different zones and countries to be truly inclusive. So, I immediately assembled a diverse team, not just from HR. I explained the project's significance and our need to have a wide footprint. The team collaborated in parallel across four countries and seven sites, collecting the required information within the given timeframe. I call this a successful story of “the power of teamwork!”