Interview With Author & Professor Kristle Bautista

WELCOME PROFESSOR KRISTLE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESS OF YOUR BEST-SELLING BOOK, DID YOU IMAGINE THAT IT WOULD TAKE OFF THE WAY IT DID?
Thank you so much for having me, it’s an honor to be here! Since ‘The Pivotal Moment’ launched last month, it’s been such an overwhelming response with all the love and support it’s received. There’s still a lot of work to do, but just enjoying this moment and taking it day by day. 

WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND STORY BEHIND YOUR BOOK, “THE PIVOTAL MOMENT”?
The question I’m asked most is with regards to the inspiration behind this story. As a Canadian with no previous publishing background, it was truly the perfect storm as I was going through a tremendous amount of change at that time. I saw a viral video online that captured my attention, and deep down inside I knew I had to do something. 

Without knowing the ‘how’, I took the plunge and committed to sharing David’s story with the world. The pieces along the way just fell into place. I’ve realized that some of the greatest work we’ll ever do will be things we aren’t paid for, but these are the things we will be remembered for long after we are gone. And the reason is simply because it came from the heart.

CONGRATULATIONS ALSO ON BECOMING A PROFESSOR AT YORK UNIVERSITY, HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT HUMAN RESOURCES WAS THE PATH FOR YOU? 
As an introvert, minority and a woman, I can truly say that anything is possible (regardless of the setbacks) if you commit to your goals. When I was eighteen, my aunt advised me to go into HR so I enrolled in this new HR program at the time. When I graduated in 2004, there were less than 30 HRM students in the class picture! 

I quickly fell in love with the program so I’ve always known that I’d teach one day. Needless to say I’ve been in HR for a while now, and have seen the progression from a ‘transactional’ department to becoming a strategic partner with a seat at the table. In HR, you have a unique responsibility to see things from a business point of view coupled with the ‘human’ side of managing and leadership. Knowing that people are the heart of every organization, understanding what motivates everyone may be different, but our goals for success remain the same on both sides of the table: treat every employee interaction with importance, kindness and respect, and you will earn true advocates for your business too. 

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TOPICS TO TEACH? AND WHY?
Training is very close to my heart and my favorite topic to lecture on is management styles. We all have natural management and leadership styles that we gravitate towards, however the ability to adjust that style to reach as many people as possible is one of the biggest challenges for any professor. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and honest in your discussions, sharing your experiences with an open mind is what I found works best for me. 

HOW IMPORTANT IS PERSONAL BRANDING IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT YOU DO TO GROW YOUR BRAND?
Being true to who you are is important in delivering your message in an authentic way and building your personal brand. I grew up believing that being introverted would hinder me from succeeding, until I realized that my ‘quiet’ side was what helped me to understand others in a deeper, more empathetic way. Embracing what makes us different is what allows people to see the ‘real’ you. 

It was never perfection that my students wanted to hear most, but rather the difficulties and challenges along the way and helped me get there. I’ve been lucky to have had incredible mentors throughout my career and am happy to share those experiences now with others. 

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
You are capable of anything you put your mind to, I can’t stress that enough. Four years ago, I set out on a journey to document David Young’s transformation but in the process, became transformed along the way too. We can all help one another, even in the smallest of ways, even in the saddest and most impossible of situations. Your internal struggles today could be someone else’s survival guide tomorrow. 

I’d love to keep the conversation going, follow me on IG @kristlebautista and visit my website at www.kristlebautista.com to download the free Pivotal Moment Companion Workbook. I’d love to hear from you and about your own pivotal moments too!