NWA C-Suite: John Shaw
by October 6, 2025 12:00 pm 486 views
With almost three decades of human resources experience, John Shaw manages Garver’s health and retirement benefit programs, recruitment, learning and development, and wellness initiatives, as well as a team of human resources professionals who serve more than 1,400 full-time employees across the country.
How significantly has technology impacted your work? What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get results, and that’s truer now than it’s ever been. My role has changed drastically the last decade, and recording and reporting the data are essential in crafting a successful strategy that supports business growth and employee retention.
How do you handle pressure and stress in your leadership role? I like to think I’ve mastered keeping calm under pressure. As an HR professional, it’s our job to lower the tension and keep things professional and purposeful. I’ve learned along the way that nothing good comes out of emotional decisions.
What are some aspects of leadership you are still working to improve? I’m always working to improve upon my patience. I like fast results and often push hard for those, but I know that oftentimes, the best results come in the waiting.
If you were not in your current role, what would you be doing? I would be a business consultant. I thoroughly enjoy working with companies on change management and how to foster a positive employee culture that leads to long-term business and employee success.
What is the best business advice someone has ever given you? Failure is not an option. This advice has spearheaded my determination throughout my career. I recognize that while things may not always go according to plan, it’s essential to continue forward for both myself and those around me.
How do you stay current with industry trends and changes? I make it a priority to do a lot of online reading on HR best practices and strategies and take the time to consider how we can incorporate these at Garver. I also work with great organizations like our insurance broker, Brown and Brown, who keep me up to speed on industry trends.
Who are your favorite leaders, and why? I genuinely appreciate the leadership style of Garver’s CEO Brock Hoskins and COO Michael Graves. Both individuals have a very personal and caring approach, and it’s one of the many things that make Garver a best firm to work for.
What advice would you give someone wanting to be a leader in your industry? I believe that one of the key pillars of business and personal success is relationship building. Go out of your way to connect with those around you. There’s so much to learn from others and their unique experiences, and it can craft your leadership in ways you wouldn’t expect.