We Are Power Podcast
The We Are Power podcast is the podcast for your career and your life. A weekly podcast with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice, and key leadership insight from amazing role models. The podcast not only aids your personal and professional development but also delves deep into conversations around Gender Equality and Social Mobility. Each week the We Are Power Podcast will bring you a new interview from a leader within the 100,000-strong We Are Power community, hosted by Simone Roche MBE.
We Are Power Podcast
Navigating Leadership with Empathy: Joe Dent’s Journey to Transforming Corporate Culture at Princes
In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Joe Dent, Chief People Officer at Princes, as he shares his inspiring journey in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering inclusion within organisations. With 14 years of experience at Princes, Joe has risen through the ranks from HR Controller to Group HR Director and now Chief People Officer, shaping the company's People Excellence strategy.
Joe discusses his role in advocating for inclusion and the importance of creating mental health strategies in the workplace. He opens up about his own 20-year battle with anxiety and how sharing his personal story has helped others, highlighting the power of vulnerability and empathy in professional settings. Joe also explores why it’s vital for organisations to implement strategies that prioritise people and lead to sustainable success.
Join us for an insightful conversation about leadership, mental health, and the role of strategic thinking in shaping corporate culture. Joe's journey serves as a reminder of the impact one person can have when they champion inclusivity and advocate for well-being.
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Hello, hello and welcome to the we Are Power podcast. If this is your first time here, the we Are Power podcast is the podcast for you, your career and your life. We release an episode every single Monday with listeners in over 60 countries worldwide, where you'll hear personal life stories, top-notch industry advice and key leadership insight from amazing role models. As we Are Power is the umbrella brand to Northern Power Women Awards, which celebrates hundreds of female role models and advocates every year. This is where you can hear stories from all of our awards alumni and stay up to date with everything. Mpw Awards and we Are Power Never imitated, never replicated singularly wonderful, everybody's wonder girl. Well, today I am joined by the Chief People Officer. Northern Power Women Awards Advocacy List 2024,. Joe Dent, I had to get you on a podcast to track you down for a chat. Nice and welcome to the podcast today.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you for having me, simone. It's my pleasure to be here and, yeah, you know I haven't been hiding. I've just been, you know, extremely busy doing other stuff. But you know, I'm more than happy to help out and be on a podcast today.
Speaker 1:It's quite an honour. Created the Northern Power Women Awards Advocacy List in 2024 to recognize those amazing advocates really flying the flag for gender equality, and your submission was pretty impressive in front of our judges, including the esteemed Nazir Absel OBE. So welcome. And now, to be honest, it's time to get you to work right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, listen, I have to say that being part of the advocacy list was a huge honour. I was delighted. It made my year, I think. And yeah, a real honour and a privilege to join that list. I was delighted.
Speaker 1:And why is advocacy so important? It seems like a silly question. You know we've always been around collecting the good guys, but why is it something you take quite seriously?
Speaker 2:I think for me you know personally, in my role as Chief People Officer and certainly here at Prince's, you know we've been quite a journey of transformation ourselves over the last few years.
Speaker 2:Inclusion and diversity, probably more inclusion, deliberately focused around inclusion so that diversity, hopefully, is generated organically through having the right sort of culture. It's been really important and I think that being recognized as part of that list, not just for myself but for the business, it showed just the progress that we've made. And as the person who is, I guess, the sponsor of that in our organization I hasten to add, there's lots of others that do a lot of hard work but as a sponsor for that, it was fantastic for me to be recognized. But I think, more importantly, fantastic for the business and I think it showed our colleagues as well, because we shared that Obviously, I shouted about it quite a bit. It showed our colleagues that we're on the right journey and that we're doing the right things and that you know we're on the right track. So it was great and that's why it was really important to me and again, quite an honor.
Speaker 1:What piece of advice would you give out there, because I think I have lots of people who adopt and support um organizations or employee resource groups or communities supporting women, but how, um, sometimes there's a fear about, well, I'm not quite sure what to do. So therefore I'll wear the lanyard or I'll wear the pin badge. But actually, how can I be more of an advocate and how do I turn that passivity into action?
Speaker 2:I think, certainly for organisations who are debating, that it's just make a start, just get on the journey, however small, whatever the baby steps are first, you know. But make a start and start, have a story and have a narrative that you want to share with your colleagues. But beyond that, it's put some real deliberate intent behind it. You know, make it important. And that's what we did. You know we developed a strategy, so we had a plan. I think that's another key thing. Don't just think these things will happen because you say they're going to happen. You know you need a plan, you need a strategy and you need really disciplined execution, because some days it's tough and you feel like you're making very little progress, but other days, you know, there's light bulb moments, there's penny drop moments for people, and you see people connect, um, and you hear the language and the tone change in the organization and you realize that you really are starting to to make a bit of a difference. Um, and for people who want to get involved, it is literally that it is get involved, show an interest, share your story, be willing to put yourself out there so that you can normalize some of the conversations that need to take place in organizations, but get stuck in, get involved, go and speak to whoever it might be who's responsible for that, or come up with some ideas, but, you know, don't again.
Speaker 2:From a colleague perspective, our strategy has been really built on colleague involvement and colleague engagement, because without that you don't generate that organic cultural shift that you're looking for it. Again, it feels like an initiative that had been done unto the organization by a load of people, perhaps in HR. You need people to engage in it and you need to get them involved, and that's what we did. We had well over 100 colleagues get involved in our colleague resource groups. We had a strategy, we had a plan.
Speaker 2:So we had an identity and we put a lot of effort into it. We had an identity and we put a lot of effort into it, but a lot of it does rest, I have to say, on colleagues going the extra mile, doing the extra hours, putting the time in, coming up without attending events, and you know, big sales, pride events, guest speakers, there's a raft of things, but it comes from ideas from your colleague group, um, more often than not, and those are the things that resound best. So get involved, get stuck in, be willing to share. Be willing to be open and authentic and share your story and I think that having the plan is key.
Speaker 1:I see so many organizations and they'll set up lots of groups, but there is no plan, and and often, if there's no plan, you're only going to achieve what was on the plan, right? Nothing, yeah.
Speaker 2:I totally agree. But don't let the plan constrain you. You know, have some ideas, have some goals, have some objectives, so that you can, so people feel like they're actually achieving something. Because I think, you know, people need to see the small wins and the marginal gains to make. Feel like you know people need to see the small wins and the marginal gains to make, feel like you know they're making progress. But don't let the plan constrain you, but at least have a direction and some steps and some actionable things that you want to get stuck into. Otherwise, the danger is we've seen a little bit of it that it just becomes a bit of a talking shop, a bit of an echo chamber, um, of some like-minded individuals, but actually, you know, tangible progress isn't made. So you've got, you've got to have, uh, and the ideal combination of both it's like a recipe, isn't it?
Speaker 1:and I think you talked about sort of it is that individual action and talking about that and that and those people sort of sharing those personal stories? One of the things that you've been very open about is your battle with mental health and your battle with anxiety and your battle with and then tell us about that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So obviously, being the I guess, the sponsor of this cultural program, you know that had inclusion and diversity very much at the heart of it. I felt like I needed to take the lead and to create the environment that normalized some of those conversations and made people understand that, you know, everybody is impacted and everybody's got a story and never judge a book by its cover and that it's okay to not be okay. That was one of our strap lines at the start. So I wanted to take the lead on that and I wanted to share my story with the entire organization and externally I think it went everywhere. I had lots and lots of and that wasn't the intention, but I had lots and lots of messages from people hundreds in fact from within the company and external to the company saying how much that had helped.
Speaker 2:I shared my story about my mental health journey and my sort of 20-year now battle with anxiety, and that I wanted colleagues to know that, even though I may be perceived as being in a senior position in the business, I still had my own trials and tribulations and that it was okay for them to have those too.
Speaker 2:And through our CRGs, and particularly our accessibility CRG, of which I'm a member.
Speaker 2:We wanted to open those conversations up and discuss mental health, particularly coming out of COVID.
Speaker 2:We were getting a lot of feedback from colleagues around the fact that they were struggling with their mental health following the pandemic and the whole uncertainty and concerns and return to the office or not return to the office. So it was one of those things where I shared my story and, from the feedback that I've had and from how it's progressed, I think it's definitely helped people. It helped me because up until that time, you know, part of my anxiety journey has been the fact that you know sometimes if you're struggling, particularly with that type of challenge, it can feel like a dirty secret or something that you don't want to share because it might be a sign of weakness or something like that. But one of the things that debilitates anxiety is actually people knowing about it and once people knew about it, that made the internal story that I was telling myself less scary, and the fact that people knew about it and were very supportive that if I was struggling then it wouldn't be such a big deal.
Speaker 1:And I feel like that's it's fueled you on. It's a bit like if you talk about it, it debilitates it, right it's not as bad. And it's not stopped you. You know you've had guest speaker Rikki Arundel, louise Minchin love Louise Minchin, she's amazing. You've done various Q&As and then you've done an anti-racism webinar with John Legend. Now we did chat before. I know you're a red, I'm a blue, it's okay, we can be friends, but what was that like? Was that one of your highlights?
Speaker 2:Yeah, the chat with John Barnes was a real. I was a bit of a fanboy moment I'm not going to lie Having him on the screen. It wasn't face-to-face, unfortunately, it was on a Teams chat like this, but I was a bit in awe and I have to say he was an amazing speaker. He's got a great story. I think he was just about to launch a book that he was doing on that topic and it was fascinating to listen to. It was just sit back and listen to John and he spoke really passionately, really eloquently and in such a knowledgeable way about the topic. It was a great moment and one that I proudly shared with lots of people. I was on a call with John Barnes today, um, so you know how many times?
Speaker 1:how many times did you tell someone?
Speaker 2:a lot, a lot, a lot, um. So, yeah, that was it. That was a really uh, that was a proud moment. But we've had lots of people um, we've had Gareth Thomas, the ex-Wales Rugby International, talking about you know, from an LGBT perspective. We've had lots of people come in and do those and I referred to them when we started this as cultural catalysts and they were people that passionate people who people could resonate with from you know, not necessarily all from a celebrity status, but well-known people who come into the organization, give a talk like that and it really does incite excitement, motivation, passion around the topic and you see a real buzz and a real upsurge in activity and people wanting to get involved. Upsurge in activity and people wanting to get involved so powerful cultural catalysts, as I referred to them, as we used them.
Speaker 1:That's easy for you to say I know, but we're talking. Well-being is really important as well. I know one of the things for you is your side hustles, or something you're passionate about is MMA what part has that got to play in your well-being?
Speaker 2:um, I think for me, you know, sport, fitness, uh, getting out doing stuff has always been um, a real passion and um and something that really helps. You know, when you are um, you've got a lot of stresses in life, family, work, all sorts of stuff going on. It's important to have some time for yourself. It's important to be able to switch off punch things in my case, and it's something that I really need, and if I don't get the option to do that, I always tend to see my mood slightly dip, I miss it, I feel quite angry that I've not been able to do it. So, yeah, it's important to get that balance. So for me, with my mental health, but also my general health and well-being, you know, that is something that fitness, getting out doing stuff, whether it's just for a walk with the dog or whatever it's doing, it's.
Speaker 1:Bobby, your dog Bobby.
Speaker 2:Bobby the Cavapoo. He's a bit of a celebrity in Prince's because he appears on calls lots, because he always wants to sit on my knee, but he's not on our podcast.
Speaker 1:He's not in your sunflower field Next time.
Speaker 2:Unfortunately, I'm in the office today and we don't yet have a bring your dog to work policy, but that might be next.
Speaker 1:You can bring him into. We Are Power HQ anytime. Joe, Now talk to us from from MMA. So we've talked about advocacy, we've talked about mental health, well-being and the part MMA has to play. What part is DJing? As someone who is just about to embark on some DJ lessons, what?
Speaker 2:part does I am.
Speaker 1:I know, don't judge me, don't judge, although you know, like Andy Burnham and Steve Rotham have that kind of DJ. Maybe that's what we could do maybe that's what we can do.
Speaker 2:Our challenge, oh, we are power challenge again. You know, I love my music and I love house dance music and it was something that I started getting into a few years ago with my oldest son, and we both went and we were both having lessons at this fantastic place in Manchester called Make Me A DJ.
Speaker 1:That's where I'm going.
Speaker 2:Are you, are you really?
Speaker 1:I am.
Speaker 2:I think you need to look up, make sure your lessons are with DJ Kyle Kennedy. Kyle Kennedy is a fantastic guy.
Speaker 1:I've got Holly because it's got to be girl power right Good girl power guy. I've got Holly because it's got to be girl power right.
Speaker 2:Good girl power. I'm there next week because that is a very difficult and never-ending journey of learning. Anyway, I got into that with my son and actually probably I bit the bug a little bit more than he did, and so I've been doing that and it's one of those things that you feel like you want to be able to master, but I think it could take me a while. I don't think I'm the oldest DJ in town, but probably one of them. But yeah, I've got some playlists, I've done things. I might even be on a radio show tomorrow night. So yeah, it's coming along, simone.
Speaker 1:So maybe, when you've had a few lessons, we can oh know but now you've made me wary, because I feel like I'm literally just going to turn up and be car cocks or, or you know, the fat boy slim or something like that. That's what I feel. So, please, don't don't put an illusion for me I'm sure you will well, I will take your challenge and we, we can. We can absolutely power print, powered by princes. There you go absolutely my final question um is what is your superpower?
Speaker 2:wow, that's a good question, um. I'd like to think that my superpower in the job that I do is is understanding people and um and having empathy for people, because I think unless you've got that in my job, then it becomes very, very difficult. You need to understand all perspectives. You need to never judge a book by its cover and you need to be very open-minded and empathetic to to whatever might cross your door or inbox, um, and you know we get all sorts from a hr people perspective, um, and you've got to treat everyone you know with that same empathy and understanding and kindness, without um prejudging or a judgment in any way, for that matter. So you know I think that is one of the things that people have said to me that I'm really understanding and empathetic and a listener a good listener, I think, is another key trait, although my wife might disagree with that.
Speaker 1:We'll get her in the next podcast and we'll find out. Joe, thank you so much for being a five-star advocate. You're welcome. Thank you so much for everything that you purposefully champion, and thank you for joining me here today and look forward to seeing you in the dj off it's been a pleasure and thank you very much for having me um.
Speaker 1:I've enjoyed that, thank you oh, thank you so much, joe. Thank you for joining me. Subscribe on youtube, apple, amazon music, spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or follow us on socials. We are Power underscore net on Insta, tiktok and Twitter. We are Power on LinkedIn, facebook and we are underscore Power on YouTube.
