Walk & Talk with Sam Ramsay: Exploring Cliveden House

I recently had the pleasure of going on a Walk & Talk with Sam Ramsay and her adorable dog, Jaggar. Sam and I have been friends for years, although we haven't had the chance to work directly together. Our bond was formed over shared war stories and experiences at many industry events. In fact, I first became a fan of Sam when she shared her insights on stage at an industry event a few years ago—more years than either of us would like to count by the way!

Sam suggested we meet at Cliveden House, an English country house with a rich history and beautiful surroundings. This place was bloody stunning! Ramsey—this one is up there, great choice!

Highlights of Cliveden House

Countryside Views: Cliveden House, an Italianate mansion, sits atop a ridge of the Chiltern Hills, offering breathtaking views of the River Thames and the surrounding countryside. The estate's grounds slope down to the river, providing picturesque walking paths.

Historical Significance: Built in 1851 by architect Charles Barry for the 2nd Duke of Sutherland, Cliveden House has a storied past. It has been home to royalty, nobility, and influential figures. It was a meeting place for the Cliveden Set in the 1920s and 1930s and later became famous for its role in the Profumo affair in the 1960s.

Architecture and Gardens: The mansion itself is a blend of English Palladian and Roman Cinquecento styles, featuring a roof designed for walking, offering panoramic views of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. The 375-acre gardens and woodlands, including the formal parterre and themed gardens, are a testament to centuries of landscaping evolution.

We had a fantastic time exploring Cliveden House, enjoying the scenic views, and discussing various topics during our walk. The beautiful scenery, stunning house, and historical significance of the location provided a perfect backdrop for our conversation. Oh, and by the way, yes, we did walk up and down those stairs—that’s 172 of them! TWICE!

Let's Get Stuck In!

After my rather late arrival (thank you, Sam, for your patience), we had a big hug. It had been years since we last saw each other. Life's journey tends to do that to you, and time just passes. I shared the recent events of my life, and I was extremely grateful for her compassion. Sam, in turn, shared her updates, and I was so pleased to learn that she is in a very good place, exploring life’s journey fruitfully with soulful people around her—and a big event for her to celebrate is imminently upon her! Sam, I’m so chuffed for you!

Professionally, work is good for Sam, but like for most of us, it hasn't been straightforward. Sam and I first connected when she was transforming the TA Strategy at Balfour Beatty. Back then, Strategic Talent Acquisition was a very new concept for the company. After refining her craft at House of Fraser, Sam went on to build an amazing high-functioning strategic partnering team at Balfour Beatty. It is no surprise that she took on and is developing another strategic partnering function at EY.

What I have always admired in Sam is her motivation and success in positively developing those within her team, building strategic capability throughout, and supporting a high-performing team. It has not been straightforward at EY, especially with the impacts of Covid, followed by a huge boom and the dreaded bust which has affected us all in some form.

Sam has empathy and compassion running through her veins, and it was no surprise to learn she leaned into supporting her team as best she could through this mentally challenging time. We talked of this "mass trauma" event that a lot of you readers will understand and that we haven’t really had a chance to recover from.

Navigating "Mass Trauma" in TA After discussing the intricacies of Talent Acquisition strategy, our conversation naturally shifted to more personal topics. The past few years have brought significant challenges to the TA market, and Sam shared her thoughts on navigating these turbulent times.

Developing the Team through Continuous Learning and Agility

• Focus on Continuous Learning: Sam reflected on the past 18 months and emphasised that wellbeing and mental agility are going to be critical for performance in the future. Recognising the need for extra support, she is now at the early steps of working towards a future where these areas are a key focus for developing teams in her charge in an ever-changing world.
• Support Mental Agility: It can't be a ‘one and done thing” - It is going to be essential to provide resources and training that help team members develop resilience and adaptability continuously. Encouraging this type of new learning and offering mental agility support will make a significant difference in maintaining a healthy, productive workforce over time.
• Cultivate a Feedback-Rich Culture: Implementing channels for open communication and using employee feedback to refine strategies and improve initiatives fosters a supportive and responsive work environment.

Personal Reflections Our walk through Cliveden House was not just about admiring the beautiful landscapes and historical significance; it was a journey through the practical wisdom of a seasoned professional. Sam’s insights into the realities of leading teams through challenging times—embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of change—were both refreshing and enlightening. Her emphasis on self-care and employee support resonated deeply with me and I'm inspired by own adaptability during this period.

As I reflected on our conversation on my drive home, I was struck by the importance of mental and psychological development in the workforce. If we want high performance in a future of work that is going to have more change than we have witnessed in the past, more focus is going to be on mental and psychosocial development and possibly more so than technical or knowledge based abilities.

Reflective Questions for you beautiful lot to ponder:

• How can we integrate mental and psychological development into our workforce training programs?
• What steps can we take to ensure our teams are equipped with both technical skills and mental agility?
• How can we create a culture that values and supports continuous learning and personal growth?

Walking through Cliveden House with Sam Ramsay was not just a walk; it was a deep dive into the importance of empathy, continuous learning, and mental agility in building high-performing teams. Let’s embrace these insights and work towards a future where wellbeing and mental agility are integral to our development strategies.

Who’s up next? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Cheering you on!  🫶

#WalkAndTalk #Leadership #TalentAcquisition #MentalAgility #ContinuousLearning #HighPerformanceTeams #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Adaptability