Becky Lowe, UK & International Head of Talent Acquisition at CMS.
On this episode of Leaders With Ambition we welcome Becky Lowe, UK & International Head of Talent Acquisition for the global law firm CMS. She was born into a family that emphasised hard work and resiliency, but open-mindedness is the secret sauce that has turbocharged her human resources career.
Becky has held a variety of HR roles in the manufacturing and professional services sectors, including a stint overseeing a staff of 800 at a Big 4 accounting firm.
As she explains to Host Nicky Acuna Ocana;
“I’m not afraid to stretch people and take them out of their comfort zone because that’s the kind of support I’ve had and that’s what has enabled me to grow.”
Not only does Becky make it a practice always to raise her hand, she also brings authenticity, candour and transparency to everything she does.
The goal? This leader is always looking for ways to add value – by enabling transparency, advocating for equity and inclusion, honouring the needs of team members and fostering optimal conditions in the workplace and at home.
Learn about the leadership lessons that have shaped Becky’s successful career – from training intensively as an executive coach to learning how to parent a neurodiverse son to embracing the art of listening as a tool for professional development.
According to Becky, it’s all about being brave and embracing failures as a gateway to growth – for ourselves and in mentoring others!
How Becky was informed by her parents’ bedrock values: Hard work, integrity, a competitive spirit and deep-rooted belief in her capacity to do anything!
Raising a hand
About the willingness to step up and volunteer that has contributed to Becky’s career trajectory, exposure to broad experience, growth and overall success.
Transcending gender
What it looks like to have worked in typically male-dominated environments and whether it has impacted Becky’s own management style.
Failing up
Why a misstep made out of young arrogance was in fact an important invitation to cultivate resiliency, humility and adaptability. Even unexpected opportunity!
Throwing the net wide
How Becky’s openness to a range of roles across various fields (including manufacturing, education, government and law) accelerated her learning.
Adding value
When attention to detail translates to important contributions to overall quality of output and success for teams as a whole.
Bring yourself to work
What early advice encouraged Becky to come out of her “textbook” presentation to become a more fully dimensional, authentic, credible and relatable manager.
Cultivating presence
Why Becky finds listening the first and most critical step in developing talent and really understanding the aspirations of individuals within the context of teams.
The total package
How mentorship, sponsorship and coaching are all key (each in its own way) to nurturing overall growth and resilience in individual careers.
Branching out
About Becky’s dream of working for one of the “Big 4” accounting firms and how it was realized in her high-profile role managing 800 staff at Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Braving honest feedback
Why Becky doesn’t actually want to receive 100% glowing reports and how constructive criticism for her plays an essential role in personal development.
Career recalibration
What factors Becky weighed in her decision to leave PwC with a goal to create more work-life balance in her role as Head of Human Resources at Nabarro (now CMS).
Migrating to recruiting
How research, honesty and an open mind helped Becky (pregnant at the time) carve out a new role for herself in the midst of the huge tri-firm merger that became CMS.
Upping her game
About the coaching skills (and personal growth) Becky experienced through her involvement with the Meyler Campbell executive leadership training program.
Understanding Archie
How Becky worked through her son’s diagnosis with multiple learning differences and the leadership skills that have helped her navigate the process as a parent.
Biggest challenges for talent acquisition
Market volatility and uncertainty due to pandemic and geopolitical unrest; responding quickly to market fluctuations and unpredictability; managing salary expectations realistically; and determining hybrid work policy.
Words of wisdom
Be brave! Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Even if your effort falls short, it’s all about experimentation and the learnings that result!
Key quotes:
“At the time you can feel the butterflies in your stomach and it is nerve-wracking but you come away from (challenges) with a sense of confidence: I did that. I can do this!”
“Setbacks are really important. It’s so important to develop resilience in your career … not to take anything for granted or make assumptions.”
“The more open-minded you are to trying different things and experimenting … the more benefit you’re going to have. Even if something doesn’t work out, you will acquire learning from that.”
“In HR sometimes you’re in a position where you have to say ‘no’ … (and) what enables you to land that message is your personality, your ability to build rapport, trust and confidence in you as a business advisor.”
“Part of development is really taking a step back and listening to individuals as humans … as far as whether their aspirations are being met and what development they’re looking for.”
“When people feel they’re being listened to, they’re much more likely to be open and much more likely to feel they can share their ideas or business improvements. And that’s what you want!” (Nicky)
“I’m not afraid to stretch people and take them out of their comfort zone because that’s the kind of support I’ve had and that’s what has enabled me to grow; that belief of others in me.”
“As a strong leader you’ve got to be able to promote others.”
“If you want to retain that competitive edge you’ve really got to think about what your approach to hybrid work is.”
“Be brave. Have courage. Take yourself out of your comfort zone. It might not work out, but it doesn’t matter. There will be some learning along the way.”
About the charitable organisation Resources for Autism available here.
More about the career thought leader Herminia Ibarra at this link.
About Becky Lowe
Becky is an executive coach drawing on more than 20 years’ HR experience working with a number of significant organisations in the professional services sector.
In her current role as Head of Talent Acquisition at CMS, Becky is part of the HR Leadership team and has specific responsibility for setting and implementing the firm’s global talent acquisition strategy.
Her first introduction to coaching was during her role at PwC where Coaching skills were regarded as a core skill, and she was introduced and sponsored to undertake her MBTI qualification.
She is passionate about evoking excellence in others and facilitating a learning environment. She enjoys helping people discover and leverage their strengths and is an accredited Strengthscope practitioner.
A firm believer that what works for one person may not work for another, she is continuing to build on her coaching capability, and is pursuing accreditation through Meyler Campbell, a leading provider of executive coaching training.
Becky is also a mum to a 6 year old boy and a 9 year old Labrador and splits her time between Wiltshire, Bristol and London.
About Nicky Acuna Ocana
Nicky has led high performing recruitment teams for over 25 years. As the Regional Managing Director of Ambition UK, Europe & US, she leads a team of highly-skilled recruitment consultants who specialise in Business Services functions within Professional Services and are experts in their niche specialist areas.
With an extensive network of senior and board-level contacts, she is also heavily involved in Executive Search, focusing on Director level appointments across Business Services for a range of Professional Services firms.
Nicky is passionate about Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and regularly speaks at conferences and writes articles on EDI topics relating to hiring and retention. Follow her 'Leading with Ambition' newsletter here.
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