How did you come to be doing the job you are doing today?
The simple truth is that I have been fortunate enough that people have taken a punt on me and have given me a chance. I have never known what I want to do – I still do not. But I have always been passionate about driving results and success through people, and connecting them to something purposeful and engaging, with a clear vision for what good looks like, in all I have done.
What surprised you when you first started your job?
How common the challenges are across organisations I now work with – mostly because it is natural human behaviour to look after ourselves and move into silo, especially when under pressure. But in my sporting background, that kind of behaviour was not allowed or tolerated, so it was a surprise when I listened to the challenges people were facing and that silos were the main cause of some of the behaviour behind them.
What is one common misperception of your work?
That because it’s people-centric, it does not earn money or affect the P&L. In fact, it is actually one of the biggest competitive advantages we have available to us.
If we can support people’s understanding of how their respective business operates, how each area affects, impacts and contributes to it – we have earned the right to drive results through human connection (empathy) and resilience scalability. That positively impacts culture, engagement, EVP, attrition, retention, talent development and performance. Now tell me that does not directly affect the P&L!
If you could offer one piece of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would it be?
Stop over-promising and under-delivering. You do not have to be everything to everyone, and you do not have to say yes to everything to be successful and happy.
What is one fact about yourself that most people would be surprised to know?
I have a (non-identical) twin brother! And no matter how old we get, when we walk into a room, the first question most people ask us is: Where is your brother?!
How do you feel to be nominated for the Institute Advocate of the Year award?
Honoured. I often struggle with not feeling like I have earned the right to be recognised for these types of things, but that is a me problem I will tackle over time.
For the Institute to recognise me in this way reminds me the work I am doing and will continue to do is having impact, and that keeps me engaged and enjoying it.
The IOL Excellence Awards take place on 14 November at Hilton London Bankside. Read more about Institute Advocate of the Year finalists.
