4 minute read
SISTER PROFILE: HOLLY SWARTWOUT
By Beth Harnett Jager, Delta Tau–Chapman University
Beth is a writer and scholar living in Southern California. She is the proud mom of two and serves on the board of the Orange County Alumnae Chapter.
For Holly Swartwout, Gamma Eta–High Point University, a human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience, curiosity and the courage to ask questions are some of the most important traits we can cultivate. Her natural inquisitiveness led her to a career helping millions across the globe develop their leadership potential.
Holly’s desire to learn led her to High Point University to pursue a career as a physical therapist. She had nearly earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science before an introductory course in human relations pointed her toward a different professional path. Holly realized that while she still felt called to a career of service, she had a talent for interpersonal communication, helping people navigate difficult conversations and build community despite personal differences.
“I truly enjoyed the reward of helping people to find the right solution for each new situation they face,” Holly said. “There is no blanket solution for every issue we experience in life. [This career] allows me to help a person to navigate their challenges, to have the ‘ah-ha’ moment and feel empowered to take the next step.”
Holly cultivated this expertise in human relations through her leadership within the Gamma Eta Chapter. By serving in an executive position, helping her chapter to grow and thrive, Holly refined her ability to constructively handle organizational challenges and work toward a common purpose with a group of women from different backgrounds and perspectives.
After college, Holly worked her way from human relations clerk to manager and eventually director in a variety of large companies in her home state of Texas. The journey brought its share of unexpected challenges. The global health pandemic began when Holly was just six months into a new job as the human relations director of a company with more than 10,000 employees—now navigating the challenge of work from home. The change posed a significant learning curve for Holly, leaving her burned out.
Pivoting from this path, Holly reconnected with her enthusiasm for interpersonal communication, a skill she honed through the Gamma Eta Chapter. She now leads human relations for the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), a renowned leadership program with over 860 chapters at universities and colleges and more than two million members. Through NSLS, Holly helps students develop leadership and interpersonal skills to prepare for leadership beyond the classroom.
“A leader can take any shape or form,” Holly said. “You might be a leader of your local Girl Scout troop or a volunteer within your community. It all starts with feeling confident in your own two shoes.”
Building confidence begins outside the comfort zone. In the NSLS program, students must form “success networking groups” with others in the program, but not necessarily within their chapter. The exercise is about taking small risks by making a “cold call” to someone who shares common goals. Beyond facilitating connection, the experience is increasingly valuable as members learn to make group decisions, navigate challenges, and work together toward completing the leadership training program.
There is a great deal of benefit in seeking out similar low-risk, but high-reward experiences in our everyday lives, whether as an Alpha Gam collegiate, alumna volunteer or through other meaningful roles in our communities.
“Many of the activities we engage in as humans shouldn’t be done alone. We build culture and morale within a chapter by having conversations to find something in common," Holly said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and engage in those deep conversations.”
Pearls Of Wisdom
You don’t have to have a job title to be considered a leader. Leading is about taking ownership in whatever role you are given.
