Do purpose-driven leaders seek the calmest waters, or brave the storm?
Elizabeth Whitfield is Chief Talent Officer and Partner in the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) practice and a mother of twins. In our interview, Elizabeth shares insights into her day-to-day professional and family life.
What are the challenges you face in your everyday professional life and what inspires you?
There is always plenty to do between client work and my talent roles – that is the perpetual challenge! But it is also what keeps it interesting for me. Focusing on the priorities, ensuring I have good people around me and knowing the difference between doing things to a high standard and perfection are key.
I am inspired by our purpose “Building a better working world.” It’s important that we think in terms of sustainability and take a corresponding long-term view.
How do you find satisfaction and fulfillment in your job?
I appreciate leveraging EY’s richness and diversity of the experiences to support our clients in their challenges.
One of my goals is to constantly improve our own business and, in turn, enable our people to develop their careers. In my job I appreciate the people I work with the most – it is a privilege and enriching to work with such diverse individuals and teams.
What is most important to you in your role as Chief Talent Officer?
True to our guiding principle “lt’s yours to build”, it is imperative we empower our people. An exceptional employee experience is as individual as each of us and we are an organization of diverse businesses and teams. Important to me is a strong and sustainable value proposition for our people that enables them to realize their own career aspirations whilst enabling our business overall.
How do you manage your job and your family life on an 80% working arrangement?
I invest in ensuring I have enough flexibility and support to be the best I can be for my work, my family and myself – I work 80% and we have some childcare support.
Everyone’s personal situation is different and it is important to find a model that works for you and your circumstances. As far as I’m concerned, the flexibility I have at EY is a two-way street. Flexible working models require compromises and adjustments from both sides.
What would you do differently in your career? What advice would you give your 16-year-old self or a career-starter?
I honestly believe each experience builds on the next and it is about seizing the opportunities and getting the most out of them for your own development. My advice: Be open to opportunity (also the ones you may have not had in mind!), aim high and don’t limit yourself.
