October is Global Diversity Awareness Month, a time to recognize and appreciate the cultures, traditions, and perspectives that make up our world. As a global company, it’s important that we embrace the diverse backgrounds of our people so we can take more meaningful steps toward building a more inclusive, innovative, and successful company.

Last month, our Learning & Development team spotlighted how to embrace a global mindset and shared many resources with our employees. Here are a few of the things we learned and ways we can embrace a global mindset:

1. Gain self-awareness. Become aware of your own culture and biases. You might only realize you carry biases once you examine your perspectives.

2. Be curious. To quote a line from Ted Lasso: “Be curious, not judgmental.” If you don’t understand something, instead of judging, ask questions. When we ask questions, it opens our minds to new perspectives.

3. Be flexible and open-minded. If a colleague in Europe does something different, be open to the new way of working. Neither way is wrong; it’s just different.

4. Practice. Take every opportunity to learn something new about someone, whether it’s speaking their language, learning about their culture, or trying their food. The more you practice and learn, the more your mindset will grow.

To learn more about Global Diversity Awareness Month, visit The Diversity Movement.

This month, L&P teams across North America will walk together in the Susan G. Komen’s More Than Pink Walk, raising funds for breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Throughout October, we are sharing stories from our team members on how breast cancer has affected their lives.

Meet Jennifer Birch, who works in IT in Carthage, MO. We asked Jen about her experience with breast cancer and why L&P’s support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is meaningful.

This month, L&P teams across North America will walk together in the Susan G. Komen’s More Than Pink Walk, raising funds for breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Throughout October, we are sharing stories from our team members on how breast cancer has affected their lives.

Meet Mary Jo Little, who works in Creative Services in Carthage, MO. We asked Mary Jo about her experience with breast cancer and why L&P’s support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is meaningful.

This week, we’re recognizing the hard work and dedication of truck drivers, and we want to say thank you to all drivers at L&P!

You keep our businesses moving, connect customers with our products, prioritize safety on the road, and so much more. We are grateful for your hard work and commitment to our mission to enhance lives everywhere. We couldn’t do it without you!

#ThankATrucker #TruckDriverAppreciationWeek

Since 1883, our goal has been simple – help people lead more comfortable lives. With deep roots in Carthage, Missouri, United States, we pioneered sleep technology when we introduced the bedspring 140 years ago. Now, we’re so much more!

Today, we’re proud to have teams all over the world – from Europe, Asia, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. We’re also proud to produce a diverse array of products that can be found in most homes, offices, and vehicles.

As a global company, we are focused on building a diverse and innovative organization that reflects the customers we serve and the communities in which we operate, as well as honors the voices of our employees around the world.

During the next few weeks, we look forward to sharing a little more about our global mindset.

As a global company, we are committed to building a diverse and innovative organization that reflects the customers we serve and the communities in which we operate. This commitment also honors the voices of our employees around the world. We couldn’t do this without our Talent Acquisition (TA) team, which plays a pivotal role in our business success by attracting and hiring the top talent for our organization.

In celebration of Global Talent Acquisition Day, we are excited to spotlight our TA team! We talked with Kathy Thorman, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor for Specialized Products.

What inspired you to pursue a career in talent acquisition?

I was working in marketing research when my company was sold. I had a colleague who had made the transition to recruiting. These career paths have very similar skill sets – a natural curiosity, a joy of meeting and understanding people’s needs, and good listening skills. It has been a joy to impact people with new employment that has the power to change their lives.

What are some of the biggest challenges the TA team faces, and how do you overcome them?

Over the past few years, the job market has experienced significant volatility. Our ability to keep up with the latest trends in employment and stay agile has been crucial. While Leggett & Platt may not be a household name, our products touch most households in some way. We have a compelling story of progress and change with integrity that resonates with candidates seeking stability and honesty in the workplace.

How do you ensure consistency in the recruitment process across various regions?

We have a complete and in-depth process map used by all TA team members across divisions and regions. As business operations change and improve, we update our vision with new information and thorough training.

How do you foster collaboration and communication within a geographically dispersed team?

We have a great leadership team that fosters communication through regular team meetings, quarterly updates, and shared team chats that bring everyone together.  We are a tight-knit group, always looking to help and collaborate with one another. Our leaders’ open-door policy extends communication from the bottom up and top down.

How do you collaborate with other departments to understand their hiring needs?

We promote and maintain relationships with our Hiring Managers in each of our recruiting areas. We are also closely aligned with the HR Business Partners at the sites and the HR Directors for the divisions. This strong partnership leads to a synergy of efforts to provide candidates for current opportunities and coordinate the vision for upcoming workforce planning.

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Thank you to Kathy and our entire Talent Acquisition team for your dedication and hard work in ensuring we have the best and the brightest at Leggett & Platt!