Getting to Know Karen Bishop-Hubert: Twelve Questions

As a valued member of The Team Approach, Karen Bishop-Hubert brings extensive experience and a compassionate, supportive approach to her work. We sat down with Karen to delve deeper into her journey, philosophy, and approach to leadership and team well-being.

Karen, can you tell us about a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your approach to leadership and team wellbeing?

Throughout my career, I have started at the lower levels and worked my way up to management. There came a time when I figured out that the answers belonged to me more than they did to the team.

I went on a journey of not only learning to understand myself more but learning to understand those around me and how I influenced them.

I had a successful career, but I also made mistakes and learned so much along the way. Experience taught me that anyone can be a manager, but to be truly successful, you need to be a leader, too.  

My recruitment career began with employment services. This industry can be so rewarding, but it also comes with pitfalls, such as staff burnout.

At the time, there was very little support within the industry, and those who worked within it were doing the best they could with little to no resources for their own self-care.  

Other experiences with critical mental health incidents with external work colleagues brought home the need for appropriate mental health support and more of a focus on team wellbeing.

Although this was out of my control, I figured that if we can all support initiatives and do what we can to support each other, we can go a long way to bringing about the change that is so needed in our workplaces.    

You’ve worked across multiple industries. How have these diverse experiences influenced your management style?

My management style has changed a lot over the years. When I began, I was very focused on perfection. I was very self-critical when mistakes were made, even if I had no control over them.

I have been so very lucky to have amazing mentors and colleagues who I could call on for support and guidance.

Their wisdom and my journey taught me that it is absolutely okay to make mistakes, I can only control what I can, and perfection is not always needed to get the job done. It has taken a lot of years, but my style now is pretty relaxed.       

Your colleagues describe you as compassionate and supportive. How do you maintain these qualities in your professional interactions?

I have learned that you can be professional and caring at the same time. Remembering that everyone is human and there is potential that they may be struggling is a great place to start.

Management, in particular, can be lonely, and at times, it can feel that you care about everyone else in the team, but nobody cares about you.

It is okay to ask someone if they are okay, even if they are ranked higher than you and/or you report to them.   

If you could tell your 21-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust your instincts.  

Coffee or Hot Chocolate, and why?

Definitely coffee. I have a coaster that says, ‘Pour the coffee, and nobody gets hurt’. This is appropriate for me. Anyway, too much chocolate is not good for us, right?

What is an aspect of our workplaces you would like to see changed and why?

I think a lot of work still needs to be done on making mental health okay. It is still a touchy subject in a lot of workplaces, and they see issues as a weakness and refuse to acknowledge or do anything about it. It all comes back to the question, ‘Are you okay?’

The question I would ask is, “Would your organisation ask you if you are okay if your performance was not where it usually is, or would they start performance management?”

I believe that if workplaces could provide sufficient support and wellness initiatives to their teams, they would reap the rewards.    

What’s the last series or movie you watched, and did you enjoy it?

It’s been so long since I’ve watched a movie or proper TV series that I can’t think of one! Does Dogs Behaving Very Badly count? If so, yes, I enjoy it and appreciate the fact that there are dogs out there that are more badly behaved than ours.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

I’m not really a historical figure person, but my ideal dinner partner has always been Robin Williams. Throughout life it was always because of his energy and wit. Now, it would be to understand more about him and be part of a world that, in hindsight, could have done so much more to support him.

If you could instantly become an expert in something outside of leadership and recruitment, what would it be?

To be honest, I don’t see myself as an expert in anything. Being an expert in helping people live their lives to the fullest sounds pretty good, though.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

I would love to be able to understand and communicate in all languages.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To soar like an eagle, you must first trust in yourself and believe that you can fly.    

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