Growing workplaces where people thrive
Through her own business, Spinach Ventures, Renee Beerworth helps cultivate work cultures where businesses thrive, people flourish and communities prosper.
Tell us about your journey in business.
Having family members, friends, and ex-colleagues start their own businesses, I would often find myself sharing experiences, identifying opportunities with them, and helping them navigate tricky or challenging situations related to people. I had previously led People and Culture teams within large corporate environments, so I wanted to bring together a team of experienced HR practitioners and organisational psychologists and make them accessible to small businesses in a commercially viable way. I wanted to see these organisations deliver their purpose with a team of people totally committed and engaged in what they do.
What tactics have you found most effective for networking?
Finding activities or areas of interest that light me up and give me energy, or that I am naturally curious about. When I find those, I generally find other people who I connect with easily and conversation is likely to be more engaging, meaningful, and less superficial.
What are some of your favourite leadership resources that have influenced you?
Hands down that would be Brené Brown, author of The Power of Vulnerability, Dare to Lead, and Atlas of the Heart.
What are your thoughts on mentorship and its role in career growth?
I have had extremely valuable mentoring experiences – on both sides as mentee and mentor. Every mentor-mentee relationship is different, and it will depend on the needs of the individual, where they are at in their career or what collection of experiences they are working towards, so it helps when mentees have given a bit of thought to what they might be looking for in a mentor. Mentors can provide a sounding board to bounce ideas off, guidance through problem solving, encourage reflection or provide introductions and connections to other people that might be beneficial.
What are your thoughts on the importance of workplace culture?
Culture results from our behaviour – with each other and with our clients and customers. Leaders who understand how to identify and encourage behaviour that facilitates and enhances their business purpose create a great foundation for their business to succeed.
To contribute to healthy and positive work environments, I get curious and seek more understanding and less judgement. I pay attention to alignment of values between the organisation and all the people within it. I share and understand expectations and link these to common goals.
I also work on building and maintaining healthy, trusted relationships, so that people feel safe to speak up if they make a mistake, if they don’t agree, or if they are stuck.
To cultivate brilliance at your workplace, visit spinachventures.au or call 02 6100 4466. To connect with Renee Beerworth, email [email protected].
