Episode 27: Around the (Talent Acquisition) World with Sheila Crosby Powell of GHD

Big Fish in the Talent Pool

Truly global Talent Acquisition leadership starts with understanding the business and the brand, according to Sheila Crosby Powell, the Global Talent Acquisition Leader for Engineering Environmental and Architectural Construction Services Firm GHD. This employee-owned, global consulting firm has 10,000 people covering most of the globe in Australia/New Zealand, greater Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, giving Sheila plenty of opportunity and challenge. In our discussion, Sheila outlines her approach to applying 30+ years of global TA experience - all with one company, Accenture - to upgrading GHD’s TA candidate experience, technology, and brand. “As a company, your brand is tied to the kind of people you're going to attract and the kind of company you're going to become. So, TA and marketing have to be linked together to make a positive impact.” Sheila is based in Phoenix, Arizona, but has worked and traveled internationally for most of her career. Having been to Australia, Europe, and Asia dozens of times makes her a bit of an expert on global relationships and change management. In our conversation, I asked her about the keys to gaining buy-in and global consistency when you want to make a process or tech change. Her answer, unsurprisingly is that it’s all about relationships. By first seeking to understand and gathering the information needed, she gains trust (authentically) allowing her to ultimately tap the best people to find a solution. Sheila also suggests that to build an effective team that works globally, healthy boundaries need to be set. By setting boundaries, you set a precedent of how others treat you, show confidence, and get things done! Other topics Discussed: Strengthening brand awareness to develop global consistency & practices Learning how to share your story in a compelling & authentic way The benefits (and obstacles) of cultural differences within a global company The power (and limitations) of behavioral interviewing deployed globally Connect with Sheila Crosby Powell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-crosby-powell-nee-peña-9962408/ Connect with Erin Peterson Erin is a Talent Acquisition Consultant, Interim Leader, and RPO Advisor with PeopleResults. She has led TA and RPO globally for some of the most successful organizations in the world including Accenture, Aon Hewitt, and Amazon. She translates her unique global experience to help clients with TA strategy, employment branding, onboarding, candidate experience, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) decisions. Connect on Social Website: https://www.people-results.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erinpeterson Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinMcPeterson