Kristi Kaye Burma: 2025 Dentons HR Professional of the Year
Key Takeaways from the interview:
Here’s a breakdown of the details provided, focusing on athene’s work culture and the speaker’s leadership philosophy:
1. Athene‘s Approach too Hybrid Work:
* 4-1 Model: Employees are in the office four days a week and work from home one day.
* Flexibility is Key: Beyond the 4-1 structure, Athene emphasizes flexibility. Employees can work from home when needed for appointments or personal reasons.
* Unlimited/Flexible PTO: Athene has moved away from conventional paid time off balances, allowing employees to take time off as needed.
2.Leadership Philosophy & Company Culture:
* Empathy & Support: the speaker emphasizes supporting employees through tough times, offering flexibility, and understanding personal needs. They acknowledge a shift in generational expectations around work-life balance.
* Work-Life Balance Advocacy: The speaker deeply regrets missing their children’s events and strongly encourages employees to prioritize family moments.
* Generational Differences: The speaker recognizes a difference between their upbringing (focused on relentless hard work) and the current generation’s desire for support and flexibility. They are actively learning from younger employees (“reverse mentoring”).
* Importance of In-Person Interaction: While embracing flexibility, the speaker believes in the value of in-person collaboration, observation, and socialization for learning and skill advancement. They struggle with employees not wanting to be in the office.
* Mentorship is Diverse: The speaker draws mentorship from a wide range of sources – husband, children, direct reports, boss, former colleagues – highlighting a belief in continuous learning.
3. Overall Impression:
athene appears to be fostering a more modern, employee-centric work environment that prioritizes flexibility, work-life balance, and support. Though, the speaker is also navigating the challenges of balancing these values with the perceived benefits of in-person collaboration and traditional work habits.