TPO Consultant Spotlight: Leyla Hurt

October 21st, 2014
Written by: TPO

Meet Leyla

Leyla Hurt is one of TPO’s resident data geeks. She entered the field of HR following a 12-year career in finance, so it’s no surprise that her passions include implementing compensation and benefits programs, and quantifying and presenting HR metrics. “My job is a perfect fit because it’s HR through the lens of finance,” says the former economics major. “I get to leverage data in nearly everything I do for my clients, and the more data you generate, the more evidence you have to validate your people initiatives.”

Opening Eyes Through Compensation Studies

Leyla’s specialty is compensation studies that examine whether an organization’s salaries match the prevailing rates for jobs in particular industries. “People can get emotional about compensation studies because they’re so personal, so my approach is to make them objective, data-driven and official,” she says.  “And while many of my clients enter the process with trepidation, they end up relieved, reassured and equipped with a structured roadmap for moving forward.”  Leyla recommends performing a thorough compensation study every three years, with a high-level salary check every year.  “You might be adding new job categories to your workforce or making other changes, so checking in annually ensures you catch salary discrepancies quickly,” she says.

From Hard Data to Soft Skills

Leyla’s work isn’t all about the numbers.  She frequently finds herself coaching leaders and managers on employee relations.  “I find that many executives are superb at communicating about their mission, but they don’t all have experience talking to and developing staff,” says Leyla.  “So I enjoy helping my clients frame their personnel conversations to be more direct.  After all, there should never be any guesswork when communicating with staff.”

What Her Clients Say

Clients characterize Leyla as thoughtful and objective.  “People seem to like the fact that I’m a neutral party who can rise above the emotion of the job—and that I think long and hard before proposing a solution,” she says.  Leyla is also changing traditional perceptions of HR professionals one good deed at a time.  “Recently, during a new employee’s orientation, that executive told me how shocked she was that an HR pro could be so helpful,” says Leyla.  “It’s quite satisfying to know that I helped turn around her negative impressions.”

Why She Loves TPO

Like other TPO consultants, Leyla appreciates the flexibility and diversity that come with her job.  She also loves empowering her clients to achieve “quick wins” through sound business and people decisions.  “Boiling down the numbers and breaking HR solutions into strategic, easy-to-follow steps—that’s what makes me happy,” she says.

Pursuits

Leyla is a mom to two very active boys aged 7 and 11.  “Both are sports fanatics, so I spend much of my free time on a soccer field or basketball court,” she says.  But being a college basketball super fan herself, she’s not complaining.  Leyla also enjoys cooking for her family and trying new recipes.  “I find it relaxing and fun,” she says.  “Thankfully, my boys aren’t picky eaters, so I have latitude to get really creative in the kitchen.”