Industry Updates
Magazine
Brand Story
Press Release
BLOGS
Dustin Jones is a seasoned HR professional with a remarkable journey spanning two and a half decades. She is the founder & CEO of EncompassHR, LLC, a thriving HR consulting and leadership development firm. Additionally, she serves as the Chief Human Resource Officer at the Dallas Country Club. Dustin is also a renowned coach, trainer, and keynote speaker. Her story exemplifies resilience, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Key Inspiration
Dustin was inspired to start her business after spending over 20 years in corporate America. She felt she was no longer making an impact and wanted to assist business owners in establishing HR departments that would positively influence their staff and set them up for success. When sharing her motivation for joining DCC, Dustin asserts, “The culture and the people stood out to me. I enjoyed what I experienced here, which made my transition back into a full-time role easy.”
The Pivotal Moment in a Two-Decade Journey
Stepping out on her own was a pivotal moment for Dustin, changing the course of her career and ultimately her life. Another significant moment occurred when she ran into someone who had worked at a company where Dustin was previously employed. Although they had never met, this person recognized Dustin because the staff and management still talked about the impact Dustin had made during her tenure.
The Key Mentors and their Lessons
Dustin had a mentor at a forklift dealership; he helped her transition from a tactical employee to a management role. He invested time in mentoring her and providing insights about her capabilities. Additionally, her first boss out of college had a substantial impact on her development as she demonstrated what integrity in a leadership role truly meant and had faith that Dustin would achieve her goals. The last mentor Dustin mentioned was a bass she had at a manufacturing plant, who taught her to be confident in herself and her skills, emphasizing that she was capable of making decisions for both her career and her personal growth.
Dustin’s Take on the Tailored Mentorship Programs
Dustin actively collaborates with leadership to identify the core goals for both employees and the organization. She believes it is essential to ensure any development program aligns with the values and objectives of the company.
The Common Challenges in Professional Communication
Effective communication is not a skill everyone possesses. According to Dustin, leaders encounter major challenges when navigating a multi-generational workforce. Learning how to communicate effectively with different generations and diverse personality types can be quite tough.
Emerging trends in human resources are shaping the future of work, including hybrid work models, a stronger focus on employee well-being, and purpose-driven leadership. These changes highlight the necessity for adaptive, empathetic leadership and a people-first approach to thrive in the evolving workplace.
The Balance between Compliance and Innovative Culture
A company with a strong compliant HR infrastructure can integrate innovation effectively. To keep pace with today’s workforce, organizations need to foster a culture of innovation alongside their compliance efforts.
The Unique Challenges Faced by Women Leaders
Working in male-dominated industries, Dustin had to discern when to advocate for herself and when to show support to others. It can be challenging to be a woman in a leadership position, but she firmly believes that by being an effective communicator, actively listening, practicing diplomacy, and demonstrating persistence, she was able to overcome any challenges she encountered.
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity at EncompassHR
Dustin advises her clients to prioritize finding the best fit when recruiting and promoting employees, regardless of gender or race. Generally, diversity within a company can grow organically if leaders ensure that everyone in the organization has the opportunity for promotion and that ideas from employees at all levels are heard and considered.
The Most Valuable Piece of Advice
Dustin’s father once told her that if you wake up and don’t like what you do, you should change it. This advice has kept her honest with where she works and what she does. As long as she still loves her work, she knows she is in the right place. This mindset also fosters a positive attitude and willingness to work hard to make an impact, as she genuinely cares about her role.
The Key Message for Organizations
Dustin aims to inspire organizations and leaders to prioritize their people as their greatest asset. By fostering empathy, diplomacy, and strategic vision, they can create workplaces where employees thrive, cultures flourish, and businesses achieve sustainable success.
The Key Challenge in Balancing EncompassHR and Dallas Country Club
For Dustin, balancing her responsibilities at the Dallas Country Club with her work at EncompassHR is easy because the two are closely interconnected. She applies the same principles and practices for DCC as she does for all her clients, but on a larger scale.
Encouraging and Empowering Employees at DCC
Dustin leads a full team that supports HR and employee initiatives. They remain engaged by recognizing and rewarding employees and ensuring they are visible and accessible for any needs that may arise.
Additionally, Dustin has implemented training programs for both managers and employees, organized various new employee events, enhanced benefit offerings, and committed to maintaining transparency and visibility within the team.
The Impact of DCC’s Hospitality Environment
The distinct environment at DCC has influenced Dustin’s approach to HR and leadership compared to other industries. This atmosphere has positively shaped her perspective. At DCC, there is a strong emphasis on customer care and hospitality, which can be translated into HR practices. This focus has greatly enhanced how Dustin interacts with her customers.
Words of Wisdom
For aspiring female leaders, Dustin advises, “Just do it! It can be intimidating, but if you are confident in yourself and willing to step into new situations, take note of your surroundings, learn about the culture, and both earn and give respect, anything is possible.”
For those considering a career in HR leadership, she recommends “Diversify your experiences. Work in various areas of HR and across multiple industries to gain different perspectives. Don’t shy away from learning things outside of HR, and always understand the bigger picture of a company.”
