Legally Speaking with Jason Hood

Tell us about your services.
This is an exciting time as I’m in the early stages of establishing Jason Hood HR Consulting, LLC. The purpose of the firm is three-fold. First, to help companies create and implement HR policies, procedures, and practices that are not only legally compliant but also foster an environment of inclusivity, dignity, and respect. Secondly, to facilitate meaningful dialogue between employees and employers about what their work environment is actually like and how it can be improved. Lastly, speaking at conferences and events, where I can talk about the challenges facing minorities and women in the workplace and provide the tools they need to successfully navigate through them.
 
What have you found to be the most liberating leaving corporate America?
Well, I haven’t totally left corporate America in that I hope to achieve corporate clients for my business. However, for me, the most liberating thing about no longer being an employee is that I don’t use all my energy fighting against toxic people. I don’t know why it is that once some people reach management, they think the rules no longer apply to them and that they can treat others any way they please. As a human resource professional, I felt it was my duty to constantly push back against this mindset of privilege because I firmly believed that rules and policies should be applied fairly and consistently. Although, I loved it, it was exhausting! The saying really is true that people don’t leave jobs, they leave people. So, it’s no surprise that one of the goals of my company is to help organizations identify who these toxic individuals are, help them train these individuals to meet positive employee relations expectations, or in the alternative – guide employers on the appropriate ways to separate these individuals out of the organization.

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What does success look like for you?
To be frank, I’ve already achieved what most people would consider “success” in my professional life and although I hope the consulting firm will gain clients who benefit from my services, success for me is a little more personal than professional. My focus is really on personal fulfillment. For me, that looks like volunteering in ways that are meaningful in the lives of others. It also includes taking the time to love and celebrate my extended family. Finally, I want to place more value on the little things that make me happy day to day.
 
What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?
The motivation that has kept me in the field of human resources for over 20 years is the satisfaction I receive in helping an organization maintain a legally compliant and positive work environment that ultimately assists in leading the organization to a profitable bottom line.
 
What advice would you give someone who seeks to become an entrepreneur?
The world of entrepreneurship is all too new for me to offer advice to anyone else. The reality is that becoming an entrepreneur usually comes with a level of financial risk and only the individual can determine how much risk is acceptable to them. Because of that risk, I don’t feel comfortable at this point giving advice on becoming an entrepreneur. That’s a question I’d be willing to answer after a few more years. However, I will say this – we only live once, life is short, and the older you get the more you realize how short life is. Whether your decision has to do with becoming an entrepreneur, accepting a job in another city, or taking that dream vacation – our time on this Earth is not infinite. My general advice to anyone is to prioritize what’s important to you and take the steps necessary to live the life you want to live.