PAMELA LEONCE

POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH:

PAMELA LEONCE (PL)

PGMAG: Pamela, so good to have you ontoday’s interview with Lady Anita.

PL: Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here.

PGMAG: Please briefly introduce yourself toour readers.

PL: I’m the CEO / founder of Stowhill Careers which is an international career company that helps people to get the job they want. I am also a headhunter and I sit on the board of various companies. I also do capacity building work with leadership teams. My earlier roles included, being an Advisor to the Mayor of London and overseeing the homes and communities of the 2021 Olympic Games in London.

PGMAG: As an expert in leadership development, what are the things leaders ought to be doing in order to create a healthy and thriving environment for those they lead?

PL: Listen and learn. In some cultures and organisations, people at the top do the most talking. That can be a very restrictive approach. Outstanding leaders actually do very little talking (unless they’re on a big stage or giving an address) instead they spend time with their teams, listening and learning. This gives them insight into the problems and challenges faced by their organisation and hear ideas and thoughtsthat their staff have.

Secondly, be self aware !

The most successful leaders are able to dig deep into who they are. They know their blind spots, and how others perceive them, and as a result they have great insight into what is needed to motivate and inspire their team.

Outstanding leaders start from a reflective place of ‘what should my response be’ rather than “…I know what I’m going to do”

PGMAG: We understand that you are also an expert in ‘headhunting’ for businesses – very impressive. It’s obvious that the global pandemic changed the way things are done – including job hunting. What is your message for those who are looking for new opportunities in the workplace?

PL: Be clear about your next steps! As a headhunter many people come to me with a complicated list of what they want, and as a result they spend time thinking about what they should or shouldn’t do in order to apply for a particular role. By knowing what you want and why you want it, it's easier to confidently sell yourself.

Secondly - Use social media - scary I know, but it's growing and it's not going away. More and more employers are using social media (especially Linkedin) to advertise their roles and to find talented people. So look at your social media profile and make sure it’s up-to-date and accurately reflects your skills and experience.

Thirdly- practice on-line interviews - because of Covid more interviews are being held via video conferencing, so it's important to get used to the camera. If you’re not good on camera, or with technology, you’re starting further back than those who are really strong. I do a lot of work with my clients on how to come across well on camera, there is a knack.

PGMAG: What are your views on diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

PL: It’s a no brainer - it's absolutely essential. I could stop there couldn’t I. Having supported many companies on this I always tell them the world is very diverse, and becoming more so every day. So, in order for your business to grow andbe more successful, you needto know, and understand, thethinking of people who are notlike you. The best way to dothat is to have a diverse teamof people around you, on thefrontline,in your leadershipteam, and around your boardtable.

PGMAG: Please tell us moreabout your business.

PL: After spending many yearsas an Executive Director, thena Headhunter, people werecoming to me exasperatedbecause they couldn’t get ‘thatjob, or move to the next level intheir career’.

I then realised that most of them had no idea what recruiters or headhunters were looking for, and that there’s lots of myths and bad advice out there about how headhunters work.

So I started Stowhill Careers, not just to correct the bad advice / myths out there, but to do something that I really enjoy, which is helping people ‘get the job’ they want or to move up the career ladder.

I work with people on a 1:1 basis and offer a range of bespoke services including….making your CV stand out, winning at on-line interviews and, networking. My approach is bespoke for each client as no two people are in the same place in their career. Many clients go on to get that job which is so rewarding.

I also work for companies who struggle to find talent. Many companies come to me because they are looking for a particular person with a particular talent so I am able to recommend my clients.

PGMAG: One of your clients described you as a “consummate professional” which got me thinking. Please share more light on this so that our readers can well understand the impact of your service to the world.

PL:

I believe we are all our own PR so before I started Stowhill I reflected on the qualities I like to see, or receive from a service, I then incorporate those into Stowhill.

So for example I…

• Show up on time - I totallyrespect my clients time sobeing on time and punctualis something I am knownfor.

• Listen carefully - I startfrom my clients perspectiveand not my own and thenput together a bespokepackage for them.

• Celebrate - when they getthe job !

• Give - all clients choosea charity they would likeStowhill to make a donationto on their behalf!

Finally we ‘smile’. A smile isgood medicine.

PGMAG: What are the topthree books that changed yourlife?

PL: 1. The Bible - my absolute north star !

2. The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz - given to me by my sister when I was a teenager and really helped me to think big !

3. More than Enough by Elaine Welteroth - As a young boss and the only black woman in the room Elaine gives a plethora of advice for anyone navigating their career and how not to give away your power.

PGMAG: Women are powerful forces and the world needs more women to lead. As a woman who is in a position of authority, how can more women be supported to take on leadership roles?

PL:

• Find yourself a mentor - someone who has done your journey before, been successful and can walk alongside you.

• Identify your cheerleaders (male or female) - tell them you’ve chosen them to be your cheerleader and to remember you in forums or when they’re networking.

• Practice your career pitch again and again, so when the opportunity comes you are ready to speak with confidence and when you get there (which you will) ‘hold the door’ open for more women!

PGMAG: Finally, what would you say to your younger self?

PL: Take time to grow up. Enjoy your youth and don’t try to become an adult too soon, it's not all it's cut out to be.

PGMAG: Thank you so very much for your time.

PL: You’re welcome it's been an absolute pleasure and keep up the great work at Powerhouse Global

PGMAG: Please share your link with us.

PL: www.stowhill.co.uk pamelal@stowhill.co.uk