When Jaidin McCann first stepped into the world of human resources as an intern at Hotel Windrow, she was tasked with a monumental challenge: building an entire HR department from scratch. This daunting assignment was the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see Jaidin become the Founder & CEO of Jasper Consultancy, a leading executive search firm dedicated to placing exceptional leaders in key roles and transforming organizational cultures.

 

From Humble Beginnings to Founding Jasper Consultancy

 

Jaidin’s career began with a challenging yet rewarding role at Hotel Windrow, where her success in creating a robust HR department sparked a lifelong passion for leadership and strategic development. Tasked with staffing the entire hotel, Jaidin’s foundational experience ignited her love for HR, particularly the hiring process. This role was more than just a job; it was a crash course in the intricacies of human resources and the critical impact of strategic leadership.

 

A pivotal moment in Jaidin’s career came when her former college professor, James Avey, recognized her expertise and offered her an opportunity to consult on a project to build an entire HR department from the ground up. This led to the creation of Jasper Consultancy, her own LLC, where she initially built HR and talent acquisition teams from scratch while continuing in her full-time recruiting role. As her career in recruiting grew, she decided to transform Jasper into an Executive Search firm, applying her extensive experience in building companies from the ground up, but this time for herself.

 

The Guiding Principles of Leadership and Success

 

Jaidin’s commitment to creating fulfilling and passionate work environments is evident in every aspect of her professional journey. She believes that in a world where many people are dissatisfied with their jobs, it doesn’t have to be that way.

 

For Jaidin, the aim is clear: to create work environments where employees are excited to come to work every day, passionate about what they do, and motivated to give their best. This philosophy guides her decision-making and work approach, ensuring that every initiative at Jasper Consultancy aligns with enhancing workplace satisfaction and effectiveness.

 

Building Lasting Relationships: Jasper’s Unique Approach

 

In the competitive world of executive search, what sets Jasper Consultancy apart is its genuine commitment to building lasting, meaningful relationships with both candidates and clients. Jaidin notes that many in the industry simply match resumes to job descriptions, but Jasper delves deeper to understand leadership styles, goal alignment, cultural fit, and more. “Our concern extends beyond the initial placement; we care about the retention of executives because their impact on your company is profound and lasting,” she says.

 

One of the most consistent feedback points from candidates is, “Wow, most recruiters meet with me, and if there isn’t an immediate fit, I don’t hear from them for months or even years. But you’ve made an effort to maintain a lasting relationship, checking in and updating me even if the roles aren’t your clients’.” This approach underscores Jasper’s commitment to people. By prioritizing these human-centric values, Jasper creates unique value for its clients, fostering environments where both organizations and individuals can thrive.

 

Balancing Financial Performance with Employee Well-being

 

When speaking with CFOs, Jaidin often encounters a focus solely on numbers, questioning the feasibility of investing in what they see as “extra” initiatives. However, Jaidin challenges them with a simple perspective: every problem is a people problem.

 

Despite being the most valuable asset to any business, people are often listed as liabilities on financial statements, reflecting how they are prioritized. Jaidin argues that while investing in people requires upfront costs, the cost of doing nothing is far greater. Poor leadership drives top performers away and tarnishes a brand’s reputation, leading to high turnover and the expenses associated with sourcing, hiring, onboarding, training, and developing new employees.

 

“Increased engagement is proven to bolster employee retention (saving money) and enhance productivity and performance (making money). So why wouldn’t you invest in your people?” Jaidin asks. Balancing financial performance with employee well-being is not just possible but essential for sustained success. Prioritizing people ultimately leads to a more profitable and resilient organization.

 

Jasper’s Comprehensive Services for Lasting Impact

 

Jasper Consultancy offers a range of services designed to unlock the full potential of organizations through strategic human capital solutions.

 

• Executive Search: Specializing in permanent Director through C-level and Board member searches, Jasper focuses on placing the right leaders in key positions to drive organizational success.

 

• Interim & Fractional Executives: For organizations not ready for a full-time C-level executive, Jasper offers a trusted network of on-demand, temporary executives. These experts can bridge leadership gaps and provide the subject-matter expertise essential for propelling organizations forward.

 

• Human Capital Consulting: People are an organization’s greatest asset, and Jasper partners with clients to unlock the full potential of their workforce. Their human capital consulting services help attract, hire, train, and retain top talent, driving unparalleled success for organizations.

 

Through these offerings, Jasper provides the strategic support and leadership necessary to ensure organizations thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

 

Shaping Strategy Through Experience

 

Jaidin’s approach to human capital strategy was shaped significantly by her early career experiences. Starting her career by establishing an HR department at a startup hotel gave her invaluable hands-on experience and a glimpse into the complexities of building something from the ground up. However, it was a later experience at a company with a toxic culture that truly shaped her approach.

 

“I witnessed firsthand a toxic culture that was driving away talented employees, including myself and my team,” Jaidin recalls. Instead of quietly leaving, she confronted the issue head-on, drafting a detailed document on employee engagement and retention to show the leadership team why they were at risk of losing their entire workforce. While her efforts were dismissed, this experience ignited her passion for transforming workplace cultures.

 

Jaidin believes organizations can create environments that foster employee satisfaction, productivity, and long-term success by prioritizing culture, engagement, and leadership development.

 

Achievements and Milestones

 

Jaidin’s dedication to excellence in human resources has earned her notable accolades, including the SHRM-CP (Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional Certification) and being recognized as one of the Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs of 2024 by Top 100 Magazine. Her expertise as an “Innovative Human Capital Strategist” has been featured on major networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and in various industry publications.

 

Throughout her career, Jaidin has faced several formidable obstacles, including overcoming and educating CEOs who prioritize profit over people. “It’s disheartening to witness leaders who fail to recognize the crucial link between employee well-being and organizational success,” she notes. By demonstrating the tangible returns of people-centric strategies, Jaidin has been able to shift perspectives and highlight the value of investing in employees.

 

Another significant challenge was broadening her business acumen beyond Human Capital Strategy and Executive Recruiting. As a startup founder, Jaidin had to immerse herself in areas like accounting, business development, and marketing—skills not typically within her expertise. Learning these facets of the business was essential before effectively hiring the right professionals for these roles. These challenges have been pivotal in shaping Jaidin’s career, pushing her to expand her skill set, advocate for human-centered leadership, and build a consultancy that not only thrives but also makes a meaningful impact on workplace cultures globally.

 

Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders

 

Jaidin’s advice to the next generation of aspiring leaders in executive search and consultancy is simple yet profound: challenge the status quo. “Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way,” she says. She encourages future leaders to embrace a mindset of continuous learning, growth, and improvement, and to seize opportunities to enact positive change.

 

Jaidin McCann’s journey from an HR intern to the Founder & CEO of Jasper Consultancy is a testament to the transformative power of investing in people. Her unwavering commitment to creating fulfilling work environments and her innovative approaches to executive search have set Jasper Consultancy apart in the competitive world of talent acquisition. By prioritizing people over profits, Jaidin has not only achieved professional success but also made a profound impact on the lives of countless employees and organizations. As she continues to challenge the status quo and advocate for human-centered leadership, Jaidin’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring leaders everywhere.

 

Quotes:

 

“There is abundant data showing that investing in people through leadership development, engagement, retention initiatives, and DEIB efforts significantly boosts employee productivity and performance.”

 

“Our greatest achievement lies in fostering better workplace cultures, influencing global leadership practices to prioritize people over profits.”

 

“Our concern extends beyond the initial placement; we care about the retention of executives because their impact on your company is profound and lasting.”