Daen Fox
Head of Talent, Looking for interim Contract
1. Do you remember a time when you were happiest as a child? Where were you, who were you with and what were you doing?
I was happiest as a child discovering the hi-fi system and the turntable at the top. I had a small amount of records from my grandad, one of which was the Sugar Hill Gangs – Rappers Delight. That is now my go to karaoke song, as I know every single word. Check it out!
2. At what age did you become an adult? What happened, and how did you know?
When did I become an adult? Easy…..one day in September 2016. Best day of my life when my daughter was born.
3. What do you think is true that most people think is false? What do you think is false, that most people think is true?
It’s false that it’s ok to not be ok. It’s only ok, if we’re doing something about it.
4. When was the last time you changed your mind about something significant? What was it and what led you to change your view?
I used to think that the candidate experience was the most important part of the recruitment process, followed by hiring managers’ experience. Now I realise that it is in fact the recruiter experience first. Why did this change? Because we are at the start of the candidate’s journey. If they are your brand ambassadors then it filters down. The managers are then delighted with the pipeline to choose from. TA has taken such a knocking, and has gone through a series of being slimmed down. Time to give the LOVE back to TA!
5. If you wrote a ‘user manual’ for how people should interact with you, what would be the most important point in the manual?
Be real. Tell me how it is. I pride myself on integrity, honesty and authenticity. It’s what I value in return.
6. What is your untrainable superpower?
Being neurodiverse. I can think at a million miles an hour. I can problem solve on the spot, and I’ve a high degree of empathy. Thinking can have it’s drawbacks as by the time I’m home, I can be mentally drained. It’s just handy I have my music, which is my medicine. This tops me back up.
7. When was the last time you felt like an outsider in a group? What/How did you learn?
When was the last time I felt like an outsider in a group? Well that is a question and a half. Revealing too! When I first became a Head of TA officially. I remember suffering from imposter syndrome heavily and attending some of the leadership summits, I felt like an ant with industry giants. I actually slotted in quite well, and I’m forever growing. It was humbling to realise how I felt, and thought that I wasn’t alone in industry struggles.
8. What do you think is acceptable today but will become taboo tomorrow?
What do I think is acceptable today but will become taboo tomorrow? Data privacy. So many companies I feel don’t protect their data properly. AI tools as an example, there is a lack of awareness where their data goes. A lot of platforms are not closed sourced, which means any confidential data is now there in the ecosystem of generative AI tools.
9. What app or tech product have you most recently fallen in love with?
I’ve fallen in love with my DJI Mimo Gimble. I can record footage on my phone and the app will use ai tracking on the go. So all my content is both stable, and clean.
10. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
I’ve always wanted to go explore the South American wilderness. Having kids has meant I’ve had to work towards securing their financial future. The dream is that I can take a sabbatical, and take them both with me when they are grown enough
11. Aside from family & friends, if you could invite any 3 people - living or dead - to your final dinner party before the end of the world, who would they be and why?
Who would I invite to dinner? Tupac, Biggie, Snoop Dogg. I’d want to settle that beef once and for all. Really unpick one of the biggest rivalries in history. Snoop Dogg is just the GOAT of entertainment.
12. If you could witness one moment in history which one would it be and why?
One moment in history that I could witness? Michael Jackson’s Thriller tour…….or Prince’s superbowl performance. Those two moments are just enshrined in history, and I don’t think there’s been any bigger pop in music history bar Queens live aid performance.
13. What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received? Who gave it and when?
Whats the best professional advice that I had? It sounds basic….really basic. But it’s ok to be imperfect. Delegating tasks to your peers and those you lead, especially when they are stronger than you at certain areas, or it could be a developmental opportunity for them. The analogy was building a lego tower. If you try to build all the towers at once they’ll fall over. Don’t be scared to give up your lego pieces.
14. What decision makes you say, “What was I thinking??” when you look back on your career?
Leaving Nuffield Health. As great as my next venture could have been, and those I was working with. NH was one of those places I felt right at home. I still have a soft spot for them and a couple others that I’d worked for including Saint Gobain. I’m still super close to those teams to this day.
15. What role do you find yourself playing when you join a newly formed team? Can you explain why this happens?
I’m an energiser. Everyone should look forward to fresh energy within a group. I’m there to understand what’s been working, and how we can enhance. Every team and individual should always be evolving and not resting on their laurels.
16. Have you ever been the weakest member of a team? How did you handle it?
I’ve been the weakest member of my football team. I’m always trying to up my game, and I believe you’re the average of those you surround yourself with. I have a never give up attitude, so I just worked super hard and trained as often as I could. I’d do the same in the work environment.
17. When it comes to our work and industry: what scares you most?
Within our industry what scares me the most? Failure. I never see any challenge as unattainable. What’s key is having the right people, attitudes and tools available to make the most out of the lemons the sector throws at you.
18. Who In our industry would make a great Prime Minister (or equivalent role in your country)?
I’m not just saying this because of this Q&A. But it’s Hung Lee for sure. Absolute rock star, that the industry looks up to. Follow that by Milimo. That guy is the future!
19. If you could add a question for the next person to answer, what would it be?
When you woke up today. What was going through your mind?
20. Who would you recommend to do the next 20 Questions With … ?
I’d suggest Chris Stewart. He’s such a great guy but also a super bright spark in the TA space.
Thank you to Daen Fox for taking 20 Questions for The Brainfood Tribune. Make sure to follow Daen on LinkedIn