In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Carmina Lees, Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture
Dive into the transformative power of saying "no" with the latest episode of "Finding Your EPIC," This insightful discussion between Jacqueline and Carmina reveals how mastering the art of refusal can dramatically shape your career and improve workplace dynamics. Carmina shares powerful personal stories from her time at Accenture, highlighting the positive impact of setting boundaries. Learn to empower yourself and foster respect within your team with this essential skill. Don't miss out on these career-changing insights—tune in now and start transforming the way you work and live!

In this podcast conversation between Jacqueline Frost and Carolina de La Paz, the focus is on Carolina's initiative called "Women Enhancing Logistics" at Lenovo, aimed at promoting diversity and women's leadership in the logistics industry. Jacqueline was inspired by Carolina's story and reached out to her after listening to a discussion on ambition gaps. Carolina explains that her initiative aims to leverage her position as a senior logistics manager to address the lack of female representation in her field. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive network and providing role models for future generations.

Carolina shares that the initiative has been successful, reaching over 2500 individuals globally and garnering support from senior male leaders. They discuss the importance of storytelling and addressing unconscious bias in the industry. The sessions cover topics like leadership and personal growth, focusing on macro issues applicable to everyone while promoting inclusivity. Despite challenges, including the shift to virtual sessions due to COVID-19, Carolina remains motivated by positive feedback and the impact of her work. She shares her mantra of taking decisive steps and maintaining persistence, emphasizing progress over perfection. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, storytelling, and fostering a supportive environment for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

In the latest EPIC podcast Jacqueline's guest is Lucy Newcombe. Lucy discusses her career journey and key insights into problem-solving and communication. Lucy, who has a background in journalism, PR, marketing, and corporate communications, currently holds the role of Chief People and ESD Officer at Computershare.
Throughout the conversation, Lucy highlights the gradual realization of her own problem-solving skills, particularly during a pivotal moment early in her career in Australia. Tasked with a complex challenge by the Chief Legal Officer, she learned to deconstruct problems into manageable parts, a skill she traces back to overcoming imposter syndrome and a curious nature developed from childhood.

Lucy and Jacqueline discuss the importance of asking questions, a principle Lucy adheres to regardless of the setting, including board meetings and executive discussions. This approach not only clarifies understanding but also empowers others to engage more actively. They reference a significant moment when the global CEO openly admitted to not understanding a CFO’s presentation, which validated Lucy’s own uncertainties and underscored the importance of clear communication.

A recurring theme in the discussion is the empowerment derived from simplicity and the courage to inquire. Lucy emphasizes how these principles have enabled her to navigate her career transition from PR to leading HR functions, including handling complex payroll systems. By breaking down information into simpler components, she feels confident tackling unfamiliar challenges and encourages others to adopt a similar approach.

Lucy’s closing thought, inspired by a quote from Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, encapsulates her philosophy: we must decide how to use our time wisely, choosing either to complicate or simplify our approach to challenges to maximize our impact and effectiveness. This perspective not only guides her professional actions but also serves as a personal mantra, reminding her to pursue clarity and purpose daily.
"