Drew Soule grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where family and resilience shaped his outlook on life. Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, he learned early on the power of persistence and inclusion. As a youth ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he found his voice advocating for accessibility and equity—values that would stay with him through every stage of his career.
Drew’s journey into human resources began in college, when he worked at the Department of Human Services. There, he managed recruiting, training, and team leadership. Those early responsibilities gave him a deep appreciation for how people practices affect communities and organizations.
After graduation, Drew joined Northrop Grumman, where he supported engineering and manufacturing teams on critical projects, including collaborations with NASA. His career then expanded into the tech world, where he advised leaders in engineering, product, and design during times of rapid growth. Later, he brought his expertise to healthcare and fintech companies, guiding them through mergers, scaling challenges, and cultural change.
With over 15 years of experience, Drew has become a trusted HR strategist and organizational design consultant. He builds talent and people strategies that balance business goals with the needs of employees, always rooted in empathy and accountability.
Beyond his professional work, Drew is driven by family, travel, food, and live music. His twin brother and sister remain his biggest inspirations. Through every role and every challenge, Drew Soule continues to show how resilience, inclusion, and integrity can shape better workplaces and stronger communities.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Drew Soule’s day often begins early, before most meetings fill the calendar. He spends the first hour reviewing notes from the previous day, setting intentions, and prioritizing the top three outcomes he wants to achieve. “I’ve learned that productivity isn’t about volume,” he says. “It’s about clarity.” Working in HR and organizational design, his days range from coaching executives through difficult conversations to mapping workforce strategies during M&A integrations. By tackling the most critical tasks first, Drew creates space for the unpredictable issues that inevitably arise.
How do you bring ideas to life?
For Drew, ideas come alive through structured dialogue. He often uses brainstorming sessions with leaders to test assumptions and refine strategies. At Northrop Grumman, he once guided an engineering team through the design of a performance management system tailored to their classified projects. Instead of imposing a pre-built framework, he drew out their specific challenges, such as limited communication channels, and helped create a solution that fit their world.
What’s one trend that excites you?
He points to the rise of neurodiversity and disability inclusion in the workplace. “Companies are beginning to see difference as an asset,” he explains. Having lived with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Drew knows the value of designing systems that remove barriers rather than add them. The shift toward accessible tech tools and flexible work models excites him because it means more people will have the chance to thrive.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Journaling has become essential. At the end of each day, Drew writes down what went well, what could have gone better, and what he learned. This reflection keeps him grounded and helps him identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“Don’t wait until you feel ready.” Drew recalls turning down an early leadership opportunity in college because he thought he lacked the credentials. Looking back, he realizes growth comes from being stretched. “Your readiness often comes from the experience itself,” he says.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Drew believes that traditional performance reviews do more harm than good. “They often create fear instead of growth,” he argues. He prefers ongoing feedback conversations that focus on development, not judgment. It’s a stance that challenges long-standing corporate norms.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
He recommends practicing gratitude daily. Drew writes down three small things he’s grateful for every morning, whether it’s a smooth commute, a supportive colleague, or a moment with family.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Drew listens to live music recordings. “Something about the energy of a concert grounds me,” he says. It pulls him out of his head and back into the present.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
He emphasizes building coalitions. Early in his Big Tech role, he realized that scaling HR initiatives required influence, not just authority. He began bringing cross-functional leaders into conversations earlier, ensuring they felt ownership of outcomes. This strategy built trust and sped up adoption.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
At one point, Drew rolled out a performance tool that unintentionally created confusion for managers. He admits he skipped pilot testing due to time pressure. After seeing the frustration it caused, he paused, gathered feedback, and relaunched with improvements. The lesson: test in small doses before scaling big.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
He suggests creating a subscription-based mentorship platform for underrepresented professionals. The platform would match mentors and mentees based on lived experience and career goals, providing both coaching and community.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
He uses Miro, a digital whiteboard tool. For Drew, it’s invaluable in designing organizational structures and mapping workforce transitions. “It makes complex systems visual and collaborative,” he notes.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
He recommends The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. It shaped how he navigates global teams by understanding communication differences across cultures.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Drew recently enjoyed the series For All Mankind, which reimagines the space race. “It connects back to my time supporting aerospace teams,” he says. “I love seeing how human ambition plays out against technological limits.”
Key learnings
- Productivity comes from clarity, not volume—prioritize three outcomes each day.
- Coalitions drive success; bring others into the process early to create ownership.
- Failure is best handled by pausing, listening, and relaunching with improvements.
- Inclusion and accessibility are not side initiatives—they shape stronger workplaces.
- Inspiration often comes from outside work; music, travel, and reflection can renew focus.