This is a three-part guest blog by Stephen Poole for Energise, The Talent Liberation Company. This is part 1.
Mini biog
Stephen Poole is a self-employed, award-winning values driven Project Management and Learning & Development professional delivering solutions with passion, drive and with a talent for bringing people together to build relationships. He uses a blend of empathy, creativity and customer focus to deliver results. He possesses a substantial delivery track record in the international trade and development, UK logistics, not for profit sectors and the UK Civil Service. He has delivered in complex, high profile and politically sensitive roles and programmes directly contributing to; London bidding for and winning the 2012 Olympics, the rebuilding of Wembley Stadium, Social Care Learning & Development operations and building capacity in Governments overseas. Engaging with ease and diplomacy with all stakeholders, the many roles undertaken have directly supported members of the public, Top Civil Servants, Cabinet Ministers, Senior Business representatives and Governments across the world. Committed to delivering sustainable outcomes, Stephen began building a portfolio career in the Summer of 2016.
What are the components of your portfolio career e.g. study, paid freelance work, part time job, volunteering etc.?
I am a consultant, get paid to cycle and spend lots of time outdoors. I specialise in Learning & Development working with overseas administrations to share my experience, insights and the lessons I learnt during a successful 22+ year Civil Service career at the very centre of the UK Government. I have a passion for cycling and food – so became a food delivery cyclist courier, and most recently a temporary Postman. Given the flexibility this gives me, I have also volunteered with a service run by my old employer that supports people with mental health challenges through gardening. The latter two activities subsidise the first which is my primary passion. I am now researching interim opportunities in a range of sectors that fit my values.
How did your portfolio career come about?
After I left the Civil Service in 2011, I took some time out after a 22 year career in which I had become deeply institutionalised. I was determined to do something different, but to be who I really was in my future life and work – I looked at trades, cookery and lots of things I felt I would enjoy. Nothing really ‘grabbed me’, but at least I can now plaster a square or rectangular wall or ceiling and prepare a whole fish for cooking! So I decided to invest time to look really hard at myself and undertook some coaching, working with Rachel Brushfield. I gained some valuable insights about being values led – the most important of which are helping people, being independent / entrepreneurial and having the need for adventure. The insights, gained via coaching, have a become a guide in my choices, and today, 7 years on, I still refer to my notes and workbook.
In September 2012, I moved into something completely new, something I would never have considered – Learning and Development. I started a short contract with Royal Mail training postmen and women and then became Learning and Development Manager for an outstanding Mental Health Charity near my home in Bromley. In 2016 I was, by luck, given the opportunity to use those new skills to share my government experience by taking part in an International Development contract working with an overseas government. I loved it, so that was the beginning… It was clear after my first few days of working that I had significantly underestimated the value of my government insight and experience and being able to use it to help people. The experience was powerful enough to confirm the insights I had gained during my coaching with Energise in 2012. So I began my portfolio career by being in employment and managing my contract deliverables around that role.
What 5 tips can you share for people considering a portfolio career?
1 Gradual transition – do something in addition to your paid employment.
2 If you do it – love what you do, do what you love – it will show.
3 Plan for the unexpected – even projects with certainty can move.
4 Allocate time in your week to plan for 3 and look for opportunities at 2.
5 Be flexible and open to exploring your ideas.
More
View Stephen Poole’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stpoole/
Find out common times in a career when people choose a portfolio career: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/when/
Contact Rachel Brushfield for a no-obligation chat about creating, marketing and managing your portfolio career: https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/