Shattering Tick Boxes - Female Leaders and Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace with Sharlene John, Head of Recruitment at Selfridges

In this episode of Life's Algorithm, I am joined by Sharlene John, Head of Recruitment at Selfridges. Throughout her career, Sharlene has held multiple senior level appointments, ranging from senior management and director level roles to her current position at Selfridges.

In this months episode, I explore Sharlene's career journey in recruitment, and discuss why representation at all business levels underpins a wider drive for change, and question the tick box notion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also discuss how Sharlene uses her platform to influence, educate and develop young people in terms of mentorship. During our conversation we also explore the challenges of being a woman in a leadership role, sustaining a work-life balance as well as the importance of critical representation at all business levels.

Topics - 

0.50 - Quick fire questions

2:26 - Sharlene's Career Journey PART 1

4:21 - Resilience in Recruitment

5:27 - Sharlene's Career Journey PART 2

11:00 - Head of Recruitment at Selfridges

12:10 - What Diversity and Inclusion means to Sharlene

14:11 - Sharlene's motivation for D&I

15:50 - Responsibility and Pressure

18:13 - The progression of D&I

20:50 - Diversity as a tick box

30:04 - Sacrifices as a woman in a leadership role

34:24 - Mentorship

37:17 - Top tips for career progression

41:48 - Life's Algorithm