Wendy King
Head of Talent Acquisition, Open to Opportunities
1. What seemed like an inconsequential decision at the time, but in hindsight turned out to fundamentally reshape your life?
The choice to go to university! I really wanted to be a Criminal Psychologist, and I had a place at Lincoln in the bag depending on my grades… I then bombed my A-Levels! I now know that I really struggle with assessment and test anxiety and an exam room doesn’t work for me, I don’t thrive there! My dreams of being the next “cracker” were shattered and I ended up going through clearing and studying business and marketing! Had I gone to Lincoln, trained to be a Criminal Psychologist, would I be living the life I am now, a life I love? Probably not!
2. At what age did you become an adult? What happened, and how did you know?
17th November 2002. My Dad died unexpectedly and whilst I was 23 and technically an adult there is something so significant in losing a parent that you’re no longer a child, you are experiencing adulting, real trauma, grief and loss in a way you never thought possible. You become the eldest daughter, the daughter of a widow, the provider and caretaker.
3. What habit or behaviour or belief have you recently acquired? Why is it now in your life?
In the last 10 months I have been seeking to learn and practise alternative wellness therapies.
I have tried and experimented with reflexology, EFT (emotional frequency technique), reiki, sound healing, gong bathing, breathwork, somatic release therapy, acupressure and massage. You cannot pour from an empty cup and whilst I have always logically understood I need to take care of myself I am an individual that loves to work, loves to push and keep driving forward.
A couple of years ago I began fainting at my desk, simply because I was holding my breath, not breathing due to stress and would faint at my desk and have no idea why. Enough was enough and my healing journey to release stress began!
4. Name a well-known person you admire and explain why you hold them high esteem?
I don’t have one person I admire, there are many. Some of them are fleeting acquaintances, some firm friends, some colleagues and others are strangers. The women who started a business in her 60’s, those who have the conviction to say no, those who lead with kindness, those who keep going, push through but preserve their integrity and safety, those who shine humility and those who are authentic.
5. If you wrote a ‘user manual’ for how people should interact with you, what would be the most important point in the manual?
Oooh I love this question! When I start leading new teams, I like to take the guesswork out for those reporting to me and the broader team… why not explain to those you work closely with what does or doesn’t work for you.
Tardiness – This really gets my goat, and if you are late, please apologise
A United Front – I will always have your back with the business and stakeholders, we can sort issues behind closed doors
Honesty – It’s ok to make mistakes, get things wrong, misjudge, it’s how we learn! I do expect issues, challenges, errors or mistakes to be flagged, I can help and support you if I know about it and present a united front and advocate for you, but only if I know!
Advocacy – Always advocate for your peers, colleagues and friends. Lift others up and be the voice in the room that champions those who aren’t in that space or need the support. In return for delivering advocacy, I expect it in return
Candour with compassion – You don’t need to be rude or difficult, defensive or obnoxious when delivering feedback or support. Lead with kindness, it is not a weakness.
6. What’s one misconception people generally have about you?
That I am an extrovert! That I love socialising and parties, but this could not be further from the truth! I am a self-proclaimed ambivert. I love to interact and will do so with joy, but when my social tank is empty or needs a recharge, I am comfortable enough taking myself off for a refresh or removing myself with confidence, I don’t have fomo, I have jomo!
7. What is that thing which is OK to ask you about, but which other people are wary to do so?
Literally anything, I love the curious! What I do ask is that if you are prepared to ask the question, then you need to be prepared to hear the answers. Some of which may not be to your taste or liking and that must be ok with you as the person asking the question. I will talk about religion, death, money, politics, family, work, culture, art, society, anything but as a discussion not a sermon!
8. When was the last time you felt like an outsider in a group? What/How did you learn?
This is an apt question for me and honestly, a slightly emotional one to answer. Joining a new business is always hard, especially when you’ve come from a business where you’ve been there a while. I recently sat in a unique and newly created role with my global TA team and peers all based in the USA, and I was on the ground in London. I worked with various teams, all of which, whilst a part of, I also sat on the periphery of, and Integrating into a new business is hard. I didn’t hide the fact that it was a challenge, and spoke openly about it with peers and colleagues. I think being vulnerable can hold space for support which can’t be offered if you keep it to yourself
9. What’s the last image on your camera roll? Care to explain?
My gorgeous little dog Bowie! Husband and I went for a lovely meal at a pub in North Wales, Bowie who has been awake all night because of the rain was shattered! He hates to miss anything, however on this occasion I looked up and he was sat on the window ledge asleep… not even his favourite treat or the lure of passing dogs to bark at were tempting enough to wake!
10. What is the best purchase you’ve made recently? Why?
My Remarkable! I love it! Gone are the days of notepads, I can effectively tag, sort, and file things in a logical place and it’s been a game changer for me! That and Loop on MS Teams!
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?
Emmeline Pankhurst – To thank her, for her tenacity, bravery and persistence
Coco Chanel – An icon, not only in fashion but in business. Rising from humble beginnings into a name ubiquitous with luxury
Henry Ford – Not only an automotive legend but the man we have to thank for the production line as we know it! How did he come up with it, what would his view be on robots and AI today and how would he integrate them into his business?!
12. If you could witness one moment in history which one, would it be and why?
The suffragette movement 1893-1928. This isn’t an overnight success story and there are sure to be lessons learned from that time we can utilise and leverage today in the campaign to increase rights, transparency and fairness for women around the world. What worked, what didn’t, what advice would those there at the time give a woman like me today and what message would they ask me to share in this day and age.
13. What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received? Who gave it and when?
Listen…
It is a piece of advice given over the years in varying contexts and it still rings very true today. As a junior recruiter “two ears, 1 mouth, use them in that ratio”, to a strategic TA Leader who can’t really exercise expertise or change without really listening to the challenges. Something I always say to my teams is that silence is ok… get comfortable with it and listen. Sometimes the silence and what comes from it can tell you as much as the narrative.
14. What’s a skill that isn’t on your resume, but your former bosses would recognize as one of the reasons you are successful?
Humour! I don’t take everything too seriously and I can dial it up and down as needed. I know I am gracious and professional, but I also like to use humour where appropriate to break the ice, form connections, and lighten the tone if required. I am not a “joke teller” but I do like witty observations, quick comments and satire. I am far from the company/ group clown but sometimes a little wit is just what the doctor ordered!
15. What role do you find yourself playing when you join a newly formed team? Can you explain why this happens?
The curious one… this allows me to listen, collect information and then ask why. What’s the reason we do it this way, how successful has it been, what successes can we share, what’s gone well and where could it be better.
This is great when you are trying to solve or move to a solution without coming across as a know-it-all. Be curious, be inquisitive, and challenge the team to think through various cases and scenarios as to how the approaches taken have or could play out.
I think as a new person in a team it’s “easier” to question the nuances, quirks and company specific processes or “ways” without seeming defensive or combative. If you come from a place of curiosity and improvement and not showboating your capabilities it’s a great was to gently influence and learn!
16. What hiring heuristic do you generally go with?
The pilot! Everyone loves to be “chosen” to be the pilot, you get to test your theory, tweak and course correct in a safe space and if pilots, communications and results are good, the laggards, or slow adopters tend to then come to you for support and to replicate successes within their business area. No one wants to be the luddite or last to show up!
17. When it comes to our work and industry: what scares you most?
Forgetting that people are the heart of our industry. So many businesses, leaders, Heads of HR and CEOs do not know the difference between Recruitment and Talent Acquisition. As someone who has a very recent and personal lived experience of this, the misconception and blurring of the lines is going to take its toll and the people that will suffer are the candidates. Any positive review or experience you see about a hiring process clearly highlights the link of connection and communication. Making a candidate feel seen and heard, listening to them, supporting them, providing a transparent and candid process with feedback along the way, advocating for them and ensure you as a skilled TA professional get to know them, not just the highlight reel of their CV. Those who will truly be successful are the TA professionals who keep people at the core of what they do, focus on experience and partner with businesses to secure not only the best technical talent but the best talent for the business and the best fit for the candidate.
18. What is your biggest professional regret? What do you think might have happened otherwise?
Moving into the FS sector in 2008. The financial crash wasn’t the regret, it was the relinquishing of my network (I’d come from heavy engineering, oil & gas, rail) for the perceived and naïve glamour of working in FS in the City. Firstly, I wasn’t that good at it! Secondly, I learned quickly and with a bump, the power of your network in TA and I’d let go so lightly of it for the allure of something shinier. Had I stayed in engineering, who knows!
19. If you could add a question for the next person to answer, what would it be?
What advice would you give to your younger self, or someone about to start their recruitment career?
20. Who would you recommend to do the next 20 Questions With … ?
Sarah Ware. I interviewed her for a role with me at Gallagher. I loved her approach and the potential opportunity to work with her, however that didn’t materialise, and she has successfully secured a new role. She has been so compassionate and supportive of me when I reached out post Gallagher redundancy.
Thank you to Wendy King for taking 20 Questions for The Brainfood Tribune. Make sure to follow Wendy on LinkedIn