Honouring Progression and Empowerment: Insights from Nikki Beattie

As we mark International Women’s Day this week, it’s important to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of remarkable individuals, who shape the fabric of our workplaces and communities.

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Today, we are sharing insights from Nikki Beattie, our HR Business Partner at PPG Architectural Coatings, UK & Ireland. Nikki’s profound perspectives on equity and her transformative journey within our business, epitomise the spirit of progress and empowerment.

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Nikki stands as a member of our UK & Ireland Architectural Coatings leadership team, supporting as our HR Business Partner. In her role, she adeptly bridges the gap between our business strategy and our people and culture agenda. Nikki’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment ensures that each employee’s unique talents are effectively harnessed. Beyond policies and processes, her mission is to cultivate a flourishing workplace where everyone can thrive, deliver and grow.

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For Nikki, equity embodies the acknowledgment of everyone’s distinctiveness. She paints a vivid analogy: envision a horse race where all participants cover the same distance under identical conditions. Yet, what if someone lacks a horse or has never been taught to ride? In such instances, the race loses its fairness. Nikki underscores that genuine equity lies in recognising individual circumstances and providing tailored support. At PPG, this ethos manifests in comprehensive coaching and mentoring, with robust learning and development programs, ensuring that every individual and group stands an equal chance of success.

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Nikki’s journey at PPG began in 2016 when she joined on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The warmth and support she received from her colleagues left an indelible mark. Within six months, Nikki’s unwavering dedication propelled her to a well-deserved promotion to HR Advisor. Her proudest achievement? Contributing to our consistently high Employee Voice engagement indexes. Nikki’s story serves as a testament to resilience, growth, and the profound impact each of us can wield within our organisation.

Drawing inspiration from Mary Portas’ illuminating book, "Work Like a Woman," Nikki reflects on Mary’s transformative journey. When Mary established her own company, she adopted a deliberate approach, meticulously listing what she enjoyed and what she didn’t. This introspection led to a pivotal question: How can I infuse what I love into my work?

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This wisdom transcends mere job satisfaction - it speaks to aligning our authentic selves with our professional endeavours. When we embrace our unique strengths and passions, it reverberates through our interactions with colleagues, clients, and partners. Authenticity ceases to be an individual pursuit; it becomes a shared experience.

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Nikki’s nod to the Clifton Strengths program underscores this ethos. By identifying and leveraging our innate talents, we tap into a wellspring of engagement and performance. When we operate from a place of authenticity, our contributions transcend mere checkboxes - we thrive.

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As we navigate our respective careers, let’s heed Nikki’s sage advice.

"Let’s remain true to ourselves."

Whether it’s riding our unique horses in the race or harnessing our Clifton Strengths. When authenticity intersects with opportunity, magic unfurls.