Katie Belyus is the marketing director at Qurate Retail Group, the parent organization of leading brands such as QVC, Zulily, HSN, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, and Grandin Road. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member! We asked Katie a series of questions about her career and other subjects so you can get to know her better.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    I’m embarrassed to say … it’s been a while since I read a book; however, if you were to ask me, “What’s the best podcast you’ve listened to?” I would say WorkLife with Adam Grant. I find his perspective valuable and can apply the takeaways to my life — both personally and professionally. As a mom of three little kids, finding time to read a good book is unfortunately a luxury I don’t have at the moment, but podcasts have been an amazing way to fuel my mind!
  2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
    Now that we’re in our junior year of the pandemic (eek!), a few of my biggest tips/takeaways are: find a space and ensure you can separate from it when you “log off.” At the beginning of the pandemic, I was in my dining room — really blurring the lines between work and home. Where I am now is a secluded place in my house with a proper chair, good lighting and even some décor that brings me peace. The other tip I have for leaders who are navigating a team that’s primarily WFH (as mine is) is consistently asking for feedback. Virtual happy hours and lunches have lost their luster, so instead of “forcing” something, I ask my team what they want to do to stay connected, ask them to come up with ideas and support however I can. And the last — and most recent — tip I was given is that when you’re leading a team meeting, start it off with a two-word check-in to start. Ask the team to use two words to describe how they’re feeling. It’s an effective way to get a quick check on how your team is feeling in the moment!
  3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
    Put work above myself. This isn’t uncommon, especially as you’re early in your career and want to “climb the ladder” quickly; however, I look back on my career and I confused “working all the time” with a “good work ethic.” And while balance is still something I’m working on (and will continue to), it’s so important to make sure you that take stock for what matters most to you — and prioritize it. It’s important to love what you do, but also make sure it’s not the only thing you do and identify with.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Feeling accountable to have all the answers and wanting to solve all the problems. I pride myself in being a problem-solver by nature, but also need to recognize that when my team members come to me with challenges that it’s not my job to solve it for them, but rather support them in solving it for themselves.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    I find motivation comes from starting with context. Context is king. When people have the context and feel as though they’re brought along, they’re more motivated to contribute and put their best work forward.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    My mom continues to be my No. 1 inspiration — both personally and professionally. She’s the first person I go to when I want advice, but also when I just want someone to listen. She’s great at that and has done it for 35-plus years ?. I’m also so fortunate to have a strong female group both at work and outside of work, and they all inspire me each day. This includes my boss, Annette Dunleavy (special shout-out to Women in Retail Leadership Circle Advisory Board member!).
  7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry in 2022?
     Disruption and transformation. It’s something that both excites me and gives me a bit of anxiety all at the same time. If there’s anything we’ve learned over these past three years it’s to not assume, and I think retailers and brands across the industry recognize that we can’t assume consumers will behave one way and recognize that as the world changes, brands must change and disrupt the norm.
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Leadership style and ability to collaborate and work with others are important to me, but also their level of curiosity. I want someone who is asking questions and coming from a place of curiosity vs. judgement. I feel strongly that curiosity fuels great conversations and results in great ideas and collaboration across teams.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    That saying “no” is OK and asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. I’ve had to say no and ask for help A LOT — working from home, raising kids in this pandemic, all while trying to stay focused on my personal and professional growth has been a challenge and I can’t do “everything ” … and that’s OK.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Aside from my True Crime podcast guilty pleasures, I enjoy WorkLife with Adam Grant.
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Someone who is a strong listener.
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I can come across very “buttoned up,” but I do have a lighthearted side and a very sarcastic sense of humor. I find that the best way to bond with someone is to crack a joke or tell a fun anecdote. I love getting to know people that way.
  13. What’s one habit you adopted while working from home that you’d like to keep with you as you return to the office?
    Exercising! It’s been a journey, but I’ve made it a priority to move/exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. It could be a walk, run or riding my Peloton, but making sure that I take time to do that has really helped my mental health.
  14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    Passionate and motivated individual who is driven by success — both at work and outside of work.
  15. What’s your favorite app?
    Target and Klarna for shopping, Instagram for social engagement
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    Ride the Peloton or take time to do something just for myself (e.g., pedicure, massage).
  17. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
    It may sound cliché, but my three kids are by far my biggest accomplishments. Still pinch myself when I look in their little faces ?.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Never apologize for knowing your worth or standing up for what you believe in. Being vocal isn’t the same as being bossy — and too often do we learn that we need to “know our role.” Having a point of view and being able to articulate it in an effective and respectful way shouldn’t be confused with “bossy” or “hard headed.”
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    Usually one of my kids (literally!), but my family and my work/team members. Some days are hard to get up (usually because a child was awake in the middle of the night), but I always look forward to getting up and starting my day.
  20. How would you describe your leadership style?
    I like to consider myself as someone who leans into more of a “coaching” style where I focus on developing others and guiding vs. dictating. Early on in my career I leaned more towards a pacesetting leader, where I would explain to someone EXACTLY how I wanted something done, but I realized that individuals won’t grow unless you give them the skills and coaching they deserve.

Interested in connecting with women like Katie? Apply today to become a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member!