Robert Steindler
, Senior AssociateWhy did you choose to come back to Booz Allen?
When I left Booz Allen in 2008, I took a position as director of Human Resources (HR) with a small aerospace company near my home. After several months in the position, I found that many of the things that I valued most were not where I expected them to be, and I had already found those things at Booz Allen. These include how the staff exhibit the firm’s Core Values, spirit of service, and excellence at work; continued growth of the firm; and how I’m provided with a clear direction as well as opportunities to learn and to perform at my best.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I’m the manager of Employee Relations. I work primarily with the Human Resources staff, Law Department, and Compliance to ensure consistency in the application of our personnel policies and procedures, that HR staff members are kept up to date with new and emerging HR trends and labor law through training and other means, and that our disciplinary and investigative processes are consistent and in compliance with policies and the law.
What excites you about your work?
Employee Relations (ER) has long been my favorite practice area in the HR profession. I thoroughly enjoy working with the HR team, Law Department, and others in resolving challenging situations and serving as a resource for employees at all levels. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to build the ER function at a time when Booz Allen is experiencing so many changes.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
Mentoring, whether formal or informal, is important for professional growth. By building and maintaining strong working relationships with others from different personal and professional backgrounds, I get a wide perspective of views and opinions, all of which help provide me with a more comprehensive view and shape my decisions in key areas. By building relationships based on trust, I’ve found that I’m much more comfortable talking through challenging situations and knowing that the feedback I receive is candid, honest, and intended to point me in the right direction.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies for which you have worked—what makes Booz Allen special?
I believe it’s our Core Values, spirit of service, and learning and development programs that provide employees with opportunities to excel at what they do. All staff are assessed against our Core Values and in my role, I see how these values are held in the highest regard and form the foundation of how we treat one another and carry out our work.
How has Booz Allen helped you prepare for what’s next in your career?
As a firm, we’re always looking forward, ensuring our employees and programs are prepared for where we want to go and what we need to accomplish. I’m expected to stretch beyond my “comfort area,” and I’ve been given opportunities and the tools, through internal and external learning, mentoring, and leadership support, to help me get there.
How does the work you do help your clients prepare for what’s next? How has your work and that of your team made an impact for your clients?
One of the functions of ER is to help ensure that HR staff are kept up to date on issues related to compliance, Equal Employment Opportunity, and similar areas; that they receive appropriate training; and that they ensure consistency in our HR processes. By overseeing these and other responsibilities, we help staff—especially our frontline leaders—become more comfortable in leading their teams, which provides for a more effective and productive work environment.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
The importance that our Core Values hold at the firm and the commitment of senior leaders to adhere to those values was a major factor in my decision to return to Booz Allen. One Core Value that I see regularly is Diversity. I’m encouraged that we continue to focus on the ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity of our staff and candidates for employment.
