Page 23 - BusinessWest Women of Impact 2020

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Toni Hendrix
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Director of Human Resources, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing
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She Changes Organizations for the Better Through Empathetic Leadership
TBy Mark Morris
oni Hendrix has a few philosophies she’s fond of sharing.
The first is “the fish rots from the head.” To prevent that rot, she believes it’s important for each person to set a
high standard.
“We need to lead by example,” said Hendrix,
“I’m extremely passionate about leadership, and when it’s done right, good leaders are role models.”
director of Human Resources at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield. “I’m extremely passionate about leadership, and when it’s done right, good leaders are role models.”
Her second philosophy is “God don’t like ugly.” She acknowledges the phrase uses improper grammar, but stating the idea this way gives it more impact. The point is not to treat others in an ugly way.
“Let’s do the right thing and treat people with dignity and respect because, if you don’t, karma can come back and bite you.”
Her third philosophy comes from a sergeant she served with while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army.
“You won’t know how much people can do
until they know how much you care,” she said, calling it a great message about the power of empathy. “If you show people that you care, take time to learn about their families, and show a real interest in them, they will take that hill for you. They will even die for you. Otherwise, they’re not even going to follow you up that hill; you’ll be by yourself.”
Those three philosophies basically boil down
to one guiding principle, she added: treat people with dignity and respect. In a quarter-century
of honing her skills as as a human-resources professional, she’s followed that guiding principle, especially when facing her toughest challenges.
After graduating from West Springfield High School, Hendrix served for seven years in the Army, which brought her to several U.S. states as well as Germany, Turkey, and South Korea. Her job was supposed to be as a military policewoman, but in the 1980s, the Army prohibited women
Photo by Leah Martin Photography