Pictured: Niamh Graham is Senior Vice President of Global Human Experience for Workhuman.
Niamh Graham is Senior Vice President of Global Human Experience for Workhuman. Workhuman is an American multinational company with headquarters in Dublin and Massachusetts. It specialises in providing software that allows peer-to-peer employee reward and recognition.
What was your first job?
My first job was in the music industry, licensing music to publishing houses, record labels and film studios. It was a cool, vibrant industry to be in, flourishing with creativity and people doing what they love. I learned a lot about dealing with people and I was able to leverage my business and marketing degree, which was a major benefit.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I was employee number five in Workhuman – almost 25 years ago when employee recognition was, at best, a ‘well done’ every so often. Having come from the music industry, I knew how job satisfaction can have a huge impact on business success. At the time, businesses were really only ever focused on the customer rather than the employee. I was intrigued and excited by this new idea of rewarding employees in a meaningful way to boost job satisfaction and business revenues at the same time.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Building a tech unicorn from a start-up. Back in 1999, we knew the powerful potential of what we were doing, but we still had to convince some of the world’s largest enterprises of that fact. Having been here from the start and seeing how far we have come makes me immensely proud not just of myself, but the entire Workhuman team.
Career wise, would you do anything differently?
No – I am lucky to have held a number of different roles in Workhuman over the years and I have enjoyed the diversity of responsibility, the challenges, and converting opportunities into successful outcomes. I love change – it’s in my DNA – and because of my varied roles, I can truly say I know the organisation inside-out!
In one sentence, how would you define success?
When it benefits everyone and everything!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Do the right things and stick at it until the end!
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
I lead with humanity and positivity, while also leading by example to set the tone. I embrace our core values (at work and at home) of respect for all, innovation, imagination and determination – daily. I expect the same from my teams and that unifies us.
How do you handle adversity?
Embrace it. Change it. Overcome it.
How do you relax?
Walking, swimming, films, dining out, meeting friends and family…. and no surprise, listening to music!
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
Making an even bigger impact than we have to date for our customers, their employees and our employees. Our technology is already changing workplace cultures for the good of everyone – the employer, the employee, the company and culture – and we want to build on that momentum to reach more people.
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