Understanding the “Power of People”

In the second part of my blog series on values, I'm focusing on the value of "people." For me, this means treating every person with kindness, respect, and empathy. I've discovered that the most fulfilling relationships come from connecting with people on a deeper level, understanding their perspectives, and supporting them through their struggles. However, I've also recognized moments when I have fallen short, being too quick to judge or dismiss others' perspectives or feelings because of my own preconceptions and judgments. While these memories are uncomfortable, they were valuable lessons in my journey toward self-awareness and personal growth.

Prioritizing the value of "people" has not always been easy, but it has led to more fulfilling relationships. Every person has a unique story that deserves to be heard and valued, and meaningful connections with others are essential for a rich and fulfilling personal and professional life. Today, I want to highlight some of the most significant lessons I've learned from embracing the value of people.

“Embrace diversity and foster a culture of belonging.”?

Early in my career, the workplace was relatively gender diverse, with a 50/50 split between men and women. However, I noticed that women were more likely to leave as they advanced because of the lack of role models, and this was brought home personally to me by my wife’s experience, who also worked at EY. This has shaped my strong support for helping level the playing field for women in the workplace. I also realized that limited ethnic diversity in teams meant we did not get the benefit of diverse thinking. As I progressed, I learned the value of including people from different backgrounds, cultures, gender, and skill sets. I realized that some people, such as those from certain ethnicities or those who are highly organized, may be less likely to speak up and share their ideas. To ensure everyone has a chance to contribute their unique perspectives, it's important to encourage participation and recognize the value everyone brings to the organization. It's essential to have the right people in the right positions. For example, I may have great ideas, but without a solid process, many ideas don’t progress, so having someone who is highly organized and process-oriented has been invaluable to me in my career.

“See things through the eyes of others.”?

I was fortunate, just before I became a partner, to be seconded to the BBC as Deputy Finance Director. Seeing things from a client’s perspective was invaluable. For example, I was responsible for the year-end audit and ensuring everything was delivered on time, but that was one of a long list of responsibilities. CFOs and controllers face a multitude of challenges, and they have a lot of things to do, so when they don't respond to requests immediately or let you know immediately the result of a proposal, it's not because they don't care; they just have other priorities to manage.?This really helped me as a new partner to focus on what was important and try to see things from others’ perspectives.

I also experienced firsthand how people find it difficult to balance positive and negative messages at the same time. During the audit, the partner team came with the audit results and started with the negative aspects and then covered the positive aspects. However, the CFO only heard the negative comments and felt that we weren't being given credit for the work the team had done. This helped me appreciate that clients and teams don’t necessarily hear feedback in the way you think they do, and I always try to put myself in the receiver’s mind.

“Value all types of work, and create a culture of respect.”?

As a leader, I have come to understand the importance of recognizing and respecting the different roles that people play within an organization, whether they are internal or external facing. As an Assurance Managing Partner, I learned that administrative tasks may not seem as glamorous as client-facing work, but they are just as important and must be done efficiently and effectively. You need to remember that people are not sending you emails just for the sake of it – they are asking for a reason. So, don’t overlook the significance of certain tasks, such as following up on what is in the pipeline or other internal processes. Respect the work of others, and complete internal tasks in the same way that you would do external tasks. Understanding and respecting the different roles and responsibilities in an organization is crucial to ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly and efficiently.?

“Live through your purpose and values.”?

Think about what your value or purpose is and what is important to you. If you get upset or annoyed with a situation, it is likely that whatever you are doing is not aligned with those values. For instance, with my audit teams, I have always emphasized that if we can still get the job done, I am flexible about work arrangements. I encourage my team members to let me know if there is something important to them, such as a personal commitment or hobby, that they need to make time for. For example, someone has a choir practice on a Wednesday or wants to play basketball on a Thursday, and they don’t because they feel they are letting the team down. I know from experience that in the past, team members would feel obligated to stay late or sacrifice personal time for work, which would ultimately impact their performance and morale. It is important to communicate your priorities and commitments to the larger team. By being open and understanding about priorities, an environment can be developed where team members feel empowered to prioritize their personal values and commitments. In my experience, 99% of people will still get the job done and be happier.

“Get out of the bubble of your preconceived notions and start exploring.”?

Our preconceived thinking affects our attitudes toward people. I started working with US and European stakeholders, but I didn't have much experience with Asian stakeholders until the early 2000s when I was responsible for setting up the EY GDS Audit team. In 2005, I had the opportunity to meet the team in India, and I was struck by their enthusiasm and bright attitude, just like any team in the UK or the US. I remember coming home and telling my wife Karen that our kids need to establish a work ethic that I had seen or lose out in the long term. However, initially, I was disappointed that these very talented people were being judged without any knowledge, and they needed to constantly demonstrate their credibility to the world. I had to explain to leaders that Indians are highly skilled and that preconceptions about their abilities were wrong. I am a history major, and one thing that has taught me is not to believe your own hype and recognize people’s value by interacting directly with them. I always encourage leaders to go to India and see for themselves, and they were always surprised by the skills and talent of the teams.?And India is just one example.

I’ve been fortunate to attend events and courses over many years that have helped me understand the merits of working in multicultural teams. For instance, my Harvard program, which I vehemently fought to be a part of, showed me the power of diverse cultures and the difference their insights can make on people and their behaviors. The program was attended by over 130 people across the world, from CEOs to those in the armed forces to attendees from the US to India, covering industries including real estate, consulting, and venture capital. The program taught me the importance of collaborating with leaders with alternative viewpoints, which helps you bring better perspectives to the table. The program also taught me how people from different cultures behave and act in a certain way, which helped me connect with them.??

...and this does not end?here

Recognizing the significance of relationships, both personal and professional, is crucial in shaping our personal growth and overall well-being. It is through our interactions with family, colleagues, peers, and teams in the workplace that we derive profound value and meaning from life's journey.?

But there is another crucial element that binds all of these relationships together and paves the way for professional success: having a well-defined and effective strategy in place. By leveraging a well-defined strategy, you can make intentional choices, capitalize on opportunities, and navigate challenges with confidence. It is the foundation upon which you can build your career, achieve your aspirations, and carve a better version of yourself. In the last part of my blog, I will talk about how a good strategy serves as a compass, guiding you to your goals and aspirations. Till then, stay tuned….

#Values?#PowerOfPeople?#BetterWorkingWorld?#FAAS?#FAASLeaders

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.