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1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
For me, my career in talent advisory began 20 years ago, when it was primarily just recruitment – a very transaction-oriented role, rather than the advisory profession it has evolved into now.
When we set up Barden 11 years ago, we always knew that Barden could move the dial in terms of service delivery, ultimately enabling it to stand on its own in both client and talent experiences. We wanted it to be seen as a professional service, and that’s exactly what it has become.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
Genuinely caring about human beings and what’s right for them, regardless of what is right for me or for Barden, is always the right thing to do.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Research it… Really and truly understand what the change will entail, be afraid and scared, but do it anyway! Nothing brilliant was ever achieved by staying somewhere you’re not challenged.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
Well, for me, of course, that is helping to create Barden; helping to create a small little bit of this magic that permeates this business on a daily basis. Externally, it’s looking at how many people’s lives we change on a weekly basis. People who get to be in better environments as a result of what we do.
Internally in Barden, watching the team grow professionally and personally, for me, that’s something I am the proudest of.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
Over the years, this has changed significantly as the business has evolved from a pure start-up to its current state, where it is now more closely aligned with professional services. But right now, it’s the growth and positioning of our executive search practice, competing with traditional Exec Search firms, and being The New ‘Old Boys Club’ in town.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
I literally don’t have any! Only joking, I don’t have anything that would surprise people, unfortunately… but maybe let’s just say possibly the most surprising might be my newfound love of golf. That’s not to say I’m any good at it, but I’m certainly enjoying it.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
I would love to learn some basic Portuguese. My family and I have been going on holidays there for the last few years, and I still can’t speak a word! Given that we have 2 native speakers in the Barden office, I really have no excuse for not getting started!
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
This is going to sound cheesy, but for me, I wouldn’t swap jobs with anyone, as to me, I have the perfect job… but if only for a day, I’d take being Shane Lowry coming down the 18th in Beth Page just as he was putting for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup. Given the psychological warfare that was going on over the whole Ryder Cup, how he had the mental strength to put that hole under such immense pressure is beyond me!
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
Professionally, it is continuing to make strides and inroads into the executive search market, showing clients and organisations that there’s a better way to do this. And just because it’s been dominated by certain multinational exec search firms, doing things the same way for 30-odd years, doesn’t mean it can’t be done in a different way, and better.
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
There are probably 2- one professional and one personal.
Professional: You can’t work ON the business when you’re continuously working IN the business. What I mean by that is it’s very hard to grow in any type of sustainable or strategic way when you’re still so deep in the business that you can’t see the wood for the trees. Taking the time to build an ecosystem of excellent people around you and allowing yourself time to step back and look properly will return tenfold.
Personal: Spend time with your children while they still want to be around you!! Very tongue-in-cheek comment there, but as my kids grow, you start to realise how fast they grow, and there’s only a small window where you are their everything, so try and enjoy that time as best you can.