I work remotely for StockX, the global platform for consuming and trading current culture – including sneakers, electronics, apparel, accessories, and collectibles. As the VP of Talent Acquisition, I am responsible for leading our amazing group of global recruiters in finding the best talent to join our team!

How big is it?‍

Our team is composed of approximately 20 recruiters, coordinators, managers and directors.‍

Where are your teammates located?‍

StockX HQ is located in Detroit, MI, however my team works remotely. We are based across the US, England, China, and India.‍

What does your team do? What are you responsible for?‍

We source excellent talent for StockX! It is our responsibility to identify and attract world-class talent who is passionate about our company values and developing cutting edge products and services. We hire in three main areas: Customer Service/Operations, Technology/Engineering, and Corporate functions (such as Marketing, IT & Finance).

I actually think this is a trick question -- the components should be the same whether it is remote or not. For me, a strong culture boils down to two things: empathy and excitement.

Empathy: As a global industry leader, our team members have a great deal of responsibility -- from meeting critical deadlines, collaborating across time zones, and everything in between. It’s important that leaders recognize life happens and things don’t always go to plan, especially in the current remote landscape. Having a level of understanding, flexibility, and empathy as a leader is critical when maintaining a strong culture and keeping morale high.

Excitement: Our goal is to cultivate an enjoyable work environment for StockX team members who work in-person or remotely. Virtual contests, performances, and other activities serve as an opportunity for team members to take a break and have some fun during the busy work week. We’ve found these offer a sense of community and provide an opportunity to recharge. We also understand the importance of work-life balance and mental health. We have a generous PTO program at StockX and encourage team members to take time off to relax, which we’ve found helps maintain excitement and energy!

The main thing is to be present, to be available, and to communicate openly. We have a great team of engaged, hard working professionals who do amazing work. My job is to help our team members minimize and overcome obstacles by providing resources, listening, and offering support and suggestions. Basically, I help them eliminate anything that stands in their way!

I miss the in-person interactions. While remote provides flexibility and other advantages, nothing beats in-person connection. I’m looking forward to getting back on the road for on-site visits.

The team is big on interactive surveys like Mentimeter or Sli.do to get people engaged and learn about each other. For example, one survey focused on fun facts while another centered only cool holiday trivia!

Every meeting has an icebreaker! Honestly, I think doing simple word clouds or check-ins get the best reception. People like to hear from others on what is going on and how they are holding up!

Are there any resources, websites, etc that help you grow as a leader? At a previous company, we completed the fieldbook titled ,”Discover Your True North”. I recommend it to anyone looking to grow their leadership skills as it provides a fun and engaging way to discover your purpose!