Oakleaf Partnership

In this episode of Oakleaf’s Women in Leadership podcast, Sue Conder shares her inspiring career journey. Starting in Grantham Library, her interest in psychology sparked a passion for leadership and human behaviour.

Sue’s career spans management consultancy, consumer goods, finance, and coaching. As one of 7% of female partners at Arthur Andersen, she navigated a male-dominated culture with resilience, confidence, and strengths shaped by her dyslexia. “Once you know your strengths, people relax around you,” she shared.

She discussed imposter syndrome, undervalued communication styles, and the “hidden tax” of collaboration on women’s careers. Sue’s advice: build a “personal boardroom” of mentors and prioritise impactful relationships for growth.

This conversation offers practical insights for women aspiring to lead in challenging environments.

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In this episode, Holly Hesketh speaks to Kellie Nedelcoux, Founder of Career & Parenthood, an organisation dedicated to tackling systemic challenges and bias in the workplace surrounding parental returners.

Career & Parenthood is committed to empowering women returning from maternity leave to re-engage with their careers and thrive, while also supporting all parents to feel valued, included, and able to pursue fulfilling careers.

Holly and Kellie explore some of the common challenges parents face when returning to work and discuss actionable steps organisations can take to better support them.

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In this episode of HR Pulse, Nina Parson, Director of Psychology at PAM Group, provides her insight into how organisations can support neurodivergent colleagues and break down barriers to create an inclusive environment.

Nina, a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society, has extensive experience working across various industries with individuals from entry level to C-suite.

She discusses how organisational culture, leadership, systems, and processes can sometimes work against neurodivergent employees and shares her experience of how different minds can collaborate effectively, fostering knowledge, innovation, and creativity.

In this episode Holly is joined by Sally Spicer, Co-Founder of Talent Included. Sally has over 20 years of experience in placing senior finance and accounting executives and led large-scale business and culture transformation programs, all while witnessing the critical impact of gender inequality in the workplace.

As the former Global Head of D&I for an international recruitment firm, Sally now leads Talent Included on a mission to make every workplace accessible, equitable, and inclusive. Hear on the importance of diverse hiring and how to create environments where everyone can thrive.

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In this latest episode, Amy Morris had the pleasure of speaking with Amanda Rajkumar, Board Member and Global CHRO, who shared her journey from psychology graduate to global HR leader.

Amanda reflects on building resilience, gaining impactful skills, and learning to balance her ambitious drive with adaptability.

She offers insights into navigating diverse work environments, fostering trust and flexibility, and the critical role of mentors in shaping her career.

From her early days as a "workhorse" to today's balanced, community-driven approach, Amanda's advice is clear: leadership is about setting a positive example, valuing diverse perspectives, and always seeking growth.

In the latest episode of her podcast, Amy Morris, UK and European Managing Director at Oakleaf Partnership, sat down with Suzie Ruffley, Global Head of People & Sustainable Culture and Managing Director at Foresight Group LLP. 

Suzie shared how her psychology background has shaped her leadership approach, emphasising the importance of balancing being a people person with setting boundaries. They discussed the immense value of coaching, which Suzie believes is essential for identifying development needs and surrounding yourself with the right people to succeed.

Suzie also highlighted how people often stay within their comfort zones, focusing only on strengths, which can limit overall growth. The conversation touched on the importance of feedback in building the right culture, the value of investing in your network, and understanding how different environments impact your personal development. Suzie also shared her decision to step away from social media to regain focus and discussed how her family inspires her mindfulness and inclusivity.

It was an insightful discussion, full of valuable takeaways for personal and professional growth. Be sure to tune in for more!

In this episode, Amy Morris has the pleasure of speaking with Yvonne, an early high achiever who shares her journey through various roles and experiences. Starting in a role that seemed to fit her profile, Yvonne faced challenges with office politics and her first encounter with imposter syndrome. This led her to seek a more purpose-driven path, which brought her to the higher education space and eventually, coaching.

In her leadership roles, Yvonne's imposter syndrome resurfaced, compounded by her cultural background that emphasized respect for elders. Overthinking and holding back became obstacles she had to overcome, learning to differentiate between her personal identity and the responsibilities of her role.

Emphasising the importance of self-investment, Yvonne advocates for mentorship, seeking support, and maintaining open communication with others. She also practices positive intelligence to navigate her personal and professional challenges.

Join us as Yvonne shares her invaluable insights and lessons learned, encouraging others to follow the "breadcrumbs" and embrace personal growth opportunities.

Visit Yvonne's website cornerstonecoaching.co.uk

In this episode, Alex speaks with Anwen Bottois, a Leadership Development Coach who transitioned from a generalist career—where she reached the level of Associate HR Director— to focusing on enhancing both established and aspiring leaders.

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You have the power to decide how people see you.

In this episode, you'll hear from your host Holly, and guest Leslie Rogers on how to be strategic when it comes to your personal brand.

You will learn how to identify your unique brand and become your own brand manager.

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For more information, visit https://www.oakleafpartnership.com/the-op-academy/

The Young Professional: Episode 2 – Giving & Receiving Feedback

Why do we worry so much about feedback? 

In this episode Holly, and Dr Alex Morris look a little deeper at our discomfort with both giving and receiving feedback to shift our mindset and embrace this as a crucial ingredient for our personal and professional growth.

Brought to you by the Oakleaf Academy, The Young Professional series is designed to unlock your full potential and elevate your career.

Hosted by HR professional Holly Hesketh, each episode features expert guests to explore various aspects of career development, success, and beyond.

Join us for relaxed yet insightful discussions that bring fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help you thrive in your profession.

Visit ⁠oakleafpartnership.com/academy⁠ to find out more. 

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