I Am Imperfect
Celebrating Our Colleagues
Meet Miraval Austin’s Human Resources Manager, Brittany Chaffin
Read how Brittany uses empathy, compassion, and commitment to guide herself and others throughout her career at Miraval Resorts.
Tell us about your journey at Miraval Resorts.
I started with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in 2014 at Park Hyatt Aviara as a front desk agent. I had the opportunity to work in several different positions at Park Hyatt before transferring to Miraval Austin in September 2018 as front office manager. I had the pleasure of being part of the pre-opening and opening teams here at Miraval which was one of the most fulfilling times of my career. I did work as front office manager for a little over a year before being promoted to assistant director of rooms. My journey then transitioned slightly when I took a position with Human Resources last summer. My experience is not uncommon and that is one of my favorite things about Miraval Resorts. We are a company that is deeply committed to internal growth and promotion – and I love being living, breathing proof of that aspect of our culture.
What do you enjoy most about being a Miraval Resorts colleague?
The most fulfilling thing about my current position is being able to offer employment opportunities to others. I truly love working with Miraval Resorts and being able to welcome folks to the family is incredibly rewarding. Truthfully, I also love our benefit package – paid time off, retirement saving plan options, and awesome insurance. I love having discounted hotel stays with Hyatt hotels globally and I especially love the free nights! I enjoy having access to the resort activities and facilities including discounts at our spa. All these things understandably have a positive impact on my quality of life and overall wellbeing.
Learn more about Miraval Resorts Careers & Benefits
What brought you to Miraval Resorts?
What drew me to Miraval Resorts was the challenge of asking our guests to experience wellness with purpose. Miraval Resorts delivers luxury levels of service while also offering life-changing experiences. As a hotelier, I couldn’t think of a more fulfilling brand to be a part of.
What keeps you here?
Miraval Resorts provides us as colleagues the tools and resources to create our own life in balance, and that is something I really appreciate. Finally, I think the endless career opportunities and the sense that there is no ceiling as it relates to my career path is something that provides me with a lot of excitement!
What have you learned from your time at Miraval?
I have learned that meeting people where they are at is critical to successful relationships. My empathy gene has grown tenfold while working at Miraval Resorts. Empathy is one of Hyatt’s core values and I certainly felt it earlier on in my career, but being at Miraval Resorts has amplified my ability to empathize not just with others but also with myself. I think that my emotional intelligence has also increased due to being in a setting that allows me to be my whole self and encourages me to connect with others authentically.
What is the best part of your day?
I do feel like getting to know our colleagues past the surface level – getting to know about their loved ones, their passions, their pets, their goals and interests – is the best part of my day because it provides me with the opportunity to create some really meaningful and lasting connections!
How does Miraval Resorts help you create a work-life balance?
Miraval Resorts helps me create a work-life balance through our benefit package and through our culture. Travel is one of my favorite ways to reconnect with myself. Our generous paid time off program coupled with our discounted or complimentary room nights makes travel so easy and accessible to me. Our culture also promotes balance as a value. We are encouraged to not overcommit ourselves and to set healthy boundaries – which I know isn’t always the case in every work environment.
Read about Miraval Resorts “i am” initiative here
What is your Miraval Resorts “i am” word, and how did you choose this word to represent your essence?
I am Imperfect
I always get some raised eyebrows about this word but I absolutely love it. I selected this word because I am human, and I am perfectly flawed. We all have our imperfections – and it’s amazing what happens when we practice self-compassion and quiet the negative self-talk. That said, I embrace my imperfections and give myself permission to be imperfect. As we all know, empathy is critical to the success of anyone who works in our industry. When I am compassionate with myself, it allows me to be compassionate with others. I like to view the value of empathy as something that can be applied equally internally as it is externally.
Is there a story you would like to share that people at work might not know about you?
In another life, I was a nail technician! In all seriousness, skincare and nail care are my personal passions. My at-home nail kit is next level. I think it is a powerful passion for a variety of reasons. Firstly, as we all know, self-care is key. Secondly and more prominently, there is something surprisingly meditative about the practice of painting your nails. It brings you to the present moment, I can clear my mind and my physical space. I paint my nails 2-4 times a week – which is crazy, I know!
Would you like to share something about your background?
I would like to share my professional background. One thing I cannot stress enough is that there is no ceiling in the hospitality industry. The opportunities and possibilities are endless. There are so many industries within the larger hospitality aggregate and I am living, and breathing proof of that. You can have a background in hotel operations and gravitate to sales, marketing, spa, human resources, finance, and the list goes on. If this is an industry you are even remotely interested in, take the leap – you won’t regret it!
Celebrating our Colleague “i am” Series
Stay tuned and keep checking back in this space for an ongoing celebration of our Miraval Resorts colleagues. We are excited to shine a light on our colleagues’ “i am” statements in the upcoming months as we share the stories of their unique talents, passions, and personalities. Learn more about how their word informs and balances their work and personal journeys.
