20 Questions With Beverly Brettmann, Vice President, Broadcast, Content and Creative, HSN

Beverly Brettmann is the vice president of broadcast, content and creative at HSN, part of Qurate Retail Group. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked Beverly a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?  
   I find I sleep better if I read something fictional and not-at-all-like-my life at night. Recently I loved “Something in the Water,” “The Guncle,” and “The Fourth Wing.”
2. What is a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team? 
   Food trucks! In all seriousness, we find time twice a year to get together for a “thank you” party. Last year we added an art show where we displayed any medium of art from the team in a museum-like setting. This allows us to chat about the little things and our lives outside of work. In smaller moments, taking time to ask the questions I’d ask if I ran into someone in the hall before I launch into meeting-mode seems to make a big difference.
3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?  
   I turned down a lot of different opportunities because it didn’t “fit” the pre-conceived notion I had for where my career should be at any given time. Once I decided to just enjoy the ride a bit more and say yes to new opportunities, I wound up becoming a TV producer, which is what lead me to my current, very happy career.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge? 
   Brainstorming with my team is harder, as I find if I throw something in the ring the idea-sharing stops. I work to make sure everyone feels comfortable telling me I don’t have the best idea in the room. However, it doesn’t always work.
5. What’s the best way you motivate team members? 
   Each week I ask my leaders to tell me some team members who have done something … even something small … that has made a difference or stepped out of their zone. Then I take a moment to write those people a thank-you note. The best part of this is how far this has stretched beyond my immediate team. I’ve gotten to know security guards, engineers and IT colleagues by sending them a bit of appreciation.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why? 
   I’m really loving Katie Sturino (@katiesturino) and how she’s using her voice. She’s an outspoken advocate for body positivity, but still keeps her feed filled with fashion tips and her genuine sense of humor. She’s an amazing example of changing the discourse while staying true to yourself.
7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year? 
   I’m excited that we’ve had Stacy Bowe join us as president of HSN, adding to the female-lead energy I’m loving in retail. I can’t wait to see where her vision leads us.
8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate? 
   My main questions are always around team building and leadership. I feel like I can train anyone to create content, but inspiring others and building a culture of kindness has to be first.
9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year? 
   I have an outsized amount of energy, which can be encouraging and inspiring when I’m super excited about something. However, I’ve learned that when I’m “just” listening, I can seem disconnected or even bored. I’m working to make sure I apply that energy to every task and exert it equally whether I’m taking information in or sharing it out. I try to ask myself how someone will feel when they’ve interacted with me, which helps me stay present more often.
10. What’s your favorite podcast? 
    “Las Culturistas.” They keep me plugged in to pop culture and I’m very grateful.
11. What values are most important to you as a leader? 
    Empathy and emotional intelligence
12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you? 
    I will find a way to have fun, or at least be positive, in any situation.
13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance? 
    I resisted having two phones for the longest time, but once I did this became the key to balance for me. Literal separation of my personal and professional!
14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence? 
    I’m a to-the-point business leader and very proud mom and wife who will still have a good cry every time I watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
15. What’s your favorite app? 
    Audible. This is where I listen to all the nonfiction that would mess up my sleep if I read it at night.
16. What do you do to recharge? 
    My family and I hike almost weekly. Nothing else makes you breathe properly like a walk in the woods!
17. What is your biggest accomplishment? 
    Even though I’m away from home quite a bit, my family understands and feels that they’re my first and most important priority.
18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? 
    Be unapologetically female.
19. What gets you up in the morning? 
    I travel so much for work that when I’m home I honestly consider it a privilege to make breakfast for my sons, even when they’re just mumbling at me.
20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle? 
    Conversations with smart women are one of my favorite things in life.