Struggle with the Juggle - an Interview with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer, TTEC

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Laura Butler, Chief People Officer at TTEC, about the realities of leadership, balancing competing priorities, and the evolving role of HR in shaping organizational success.

Laura shared how her parents deeply influenced her path—her father, who instilled the importance of working in service of others, and her mother, who created memorable experiences while raising six children. These lessons inspired Laura’s unique approach of combining business impact with human connection.

Her career journey was far from linear. Laura once swore she’d never work in HR, yet she discovered that technology without people fails to deliver results. That realization sparked her passion for HR as an enabling, strategic function—one that aligns culture, trust, and leadership practices with business outcomes.

We also explored Laura’s concept of the “Struggle of the Juggle”—the constant pressure of managing work, family, and personal wellness in today’s world of endless inputs. She shared how tools like AI can act as thought partners to help leaders intentionally structure time, prioritize values, and create balance.

Ultimately, Laura reminded us that leadership isn’t just about getting the work done—it’s about how we do it, the trust we build, and the relationships we nurture along the way.

🔑 10 Key Takeaways from the Interview

1. 0:01:00 – Early influences: Laura’s father taught her the value of serving her team, while her mother emphasized creating great experiences.
2. 0:02:49 – Career beginnings: She started in events and experiences before moving into HR, blending both worlds.
3. 0:04:54 – Career pivots: Laura once said she’d never work in HR—proof that careers evolve in unexpected ways.
4. 0:06:34 – Culture eats strategy: Even the best technology fails without people and culture to support adoption.
5. 0:08:45 – Executive dynamics: Using tools like Insights Discovery helps leaders balance different styles and “dial up” compassion and collaboration.
6. 0:12:12 – Trust accelerates business: Internal trust is the fastest way to drive organizational effectiveness and customer impact.
7. 0:13:22 – The “Struggle of the Juggle”: Overwhelm from constant information and comparison requires intentional strategies to manage.
8. 0:14:20 – Practical advice: Never check email first thing in the morning; protect your time for what matters most.
9. 0:15:40 – AI as a time partner: Laura uses AI to design weekly schedules, scripts, and strategies for managing competing priorities.
10. 0:18:18 – Personalization matters: AI can be a thought partner that adapts to individual values, lifestyles, and relationships.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl