⭐TBE VIP: Tamsin Willis-Stovold | Natural Steps Coaching and Consultancy
Tamsin Willis-Stovold is Director of Natural Steps Coaching and Consultancy. The business provides HR consultancy services to organisations looking for purposeful, sustainable and innovative people approaches alongside bespoke team development solutions.
Can you tell us about your first full-time job?
I worked in a projects role for the National Trust, managing the refurbishment and set up of new holiday cottages across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was incredibly busy with a lot of travel, and I was very lucky to see so many fantastic properties. I learned a lot about project management, managing supplier relationships and working under pressure.
What did you learn early on in your career that has stayed with you?
How you treat people matters. Whether it’s colleagues, suppliers or customers, people remember how they’ve been treated. I have always been quite driven during my career, and I like achieving, whether it’s a goal, a project or an outcome, but that’s never at the expense of someone else. I’ve worked in HR and people development for 15 years now, and sometimes the work is tough, but you can do it with compassion and kindness.
Who inspires you (a) professionally and (b) personally?
I’m lucky I get to work (and have worked) with a lot of inspiring people. Over the last few years, I’ve worked with leaders who’ve balanced that tricky line between delivering progress for an organisation and taking their people with them. Leaders who are humble, vulnerable, show they are still learning, and crucially listen.
From the charities I’m working with to the University of Bath, where I spent seven years, there are a lot of great leaders out there!
I’m also inspired by my coaching clients – witnessing people who are willing to do the hard work of deep reflection and taking ownership for how they move forward. Personally, I’m inspired by anyone who makes me think differently, including my mentor David Schluter.
What three pieces of advice would you give to someone starting out on a similar career path?
1. Build a network; don’t underestimate how much value there is in collaboration and community. Be deliberate in finding different voices and people who will challenge you.
2. Get curious about what you enjoy and lean into it. Especially in HR, people can feel the pressure to declare their path – generalist, or specialist. You don’t need a five-year plan – you need to know what you enjoy, because it’s probably what you’re good at too.
3. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. I never wanted the big corporate job title, but when you’re in a role people can assume you want to climb a ladder. Ignore it and build a life that matters to you. I get to walk my daughter to school every day – I built a business around the life I wanted, and that matters more to me than any job title could.
Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
Hopefully doing what I’m doing now! Working with clients who are trying to make the world a better place and still acting as a thinking partner for leaders who want to make a positive change. Whichever hat I’m wearing – HR director, coach or facilitator – as long as my work enables people and organisations to thrive, I’m happy.
What do you do to keep yourself and Natural Steps at the top of your game?
I am very intentional about my development as a coach. I meet monthly with my supervisor and am working towards my EMCC accreditation. I also work with a business mentor to ensure I’m working on the business, not just in it. Personally, I love exercise. Box has a great gym I’m a member of, and I do a lot of thinking while I’m out walking. I know that my ability to deliver for my clients is linked to how I show up, so I prioritise the things that make me happy and healthy, including boundaries around family time.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I’m proud that I had the courage to take a leap of faith and leave a great employer to work for myself. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m glad I was brave. I love the variety, challenge and depth of the work I get to do now.
What’s next on your professional bucket list?
I know what I’m good at – and marketing/business development isn’t it! All my work comes through my network and referrals, but I’m challenging myself to get more comfortable with business development.
