Fiona Almond’s Post

Today, six years ago, on 10 July 2018, I arrived in Australia. 🦘🌏 After four years of working at Accenture Austria, I took up the offer to move to Australia. I wanted to live and work in another country for years, and couldn’t let this opportunity slip away, so I moved to Sydney. After packing up my life in Vienna, I was so excited - and fearful at the same time. What would it be like in a country far from home where I practically didn’t know anyone? Well, my approach back then as is now was to ask myself: "How much do I need to be afraid?" Surely, I thought I, was travelling to clients in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the USA, Colombia and Singapore. So, it’s same same just different, living in another country. I had ‘practised’ myself into it. And Accenture gave me every support for relocating. So, all good - or, paaaaaaaasst, as we say in good old Austria. 😉 Then, I thought English is my daily working language, so that won’t be a problem either. I just need to get used to the Australian dialect and I’ll be fine. At my farewell party my best friend called me “category fearless”, and with confidence being one of my main strengths and adventurous a main characteristic, I thought, I got this. I arrived in Australia and flew straight up to Cairns to drive and travel from Far North Queensland to Sydney. The picture below is a selfie sitting at the pool on my first day in Palm Cove, QLD. After six amazing weeks, I started work and reality slapped me in the face. I came self-assured from working in various consulting roles to starting what felt like from scratch in a new country. What was supposed to be my greatest adventure had turned out to be a real test. I thought, ‘It can’t be, that it’s all that hard’. But it was. The pressures of settling in got to me. On a Thursday evening in February 2019, I found myself crying on my partner's couch because I couldn't understand my own clients. During a project meeting in Melbourne that day, my client had said, "Your solution seems pretty vanilla...". I listened, nodded ..... and had no idea what that phrase meant. From then on, I learned to cut myself some slack. Big changes need time to adapt to and relocating to a new country is a big change. This experience has taught me that no matter if moving countries, getting promoted, starting your own business or stepping up into a new role, it’s ok - and sometimes necessary - to sit crying on the couch. And then eventually it all comes together, and we’ve got this.

Reached a 10-year milestone! This week, I'm celebrating my 10th work anniversary at The Health and Care Professions Council. Over the past decade, I've grown both personally and professionally, taking on numerous roles, building a network across the business and collaborating across departments towards shared goals and objectives. The organisation has also evolved considerably during this time, and I'm proud to work for an organisation that is clear about its purpose and values its people. 🤝 While there have been highs and lows, as is expected in business and life, I continue to be driven to serve HCPC for several reasons: ✔ HCPC's Purpose: I believe in the HCPC's mission and purpose, and I'm clear on how my role contributes to it. ✔ Leadership: I am fortunate to have been, and continue to be, led by a great leader Fatma Ali who is human-centric, charming and passionate, role models positive behaviours and encourages continuous learning and growth. I have total confidence in her and she entrusts in me. ✔ Opportunities: I've been given the chance to work and deliver on important pieces of work and seek opportunities for improvement and innovation, which has resulted in my efforts being valued and recognised. ✔ Autonomy: I've been entrusted with the autonomy to work on projects and initiatives that can bear fruit for months and years to come, such as our Beyond Barriers mentoring programme. ✔ My Team: I couldn't ask for a better team. We navigate challenges together as a cohesive unit and more importantly we focus on solutions, impact and value-add. ✔ Culture: Culture fit is as important, if not more so, than possessing the right skills for a job. ✔ Wellbeing and balance: Finding an organisation that values you, your wellbeing, and your work-life balance is critical to success. My job allows me to spark the fuel of human potential and catalyse change at the individual, team, and organisational levels. I couldn’t ask for more in a job as I love what I do 🌸 ☘ As I reflect on my ten years at the HCPC, an African proverb resonates: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This sentiment has encapsulated my experience and the value I place on collaboration, growth and collective progress.  🙌 #milestone #tenyears #workanniversary #workiversary #teamwork #leadership #culture #hcpc #achievement #recognition #purpose #worklifebalance

Today I celebrate 6-years living and working in the Netherlands. 🧡 Sometimes I pinch myself and ask how did a Brazilian girl with no fancy passport end up here? 🧐. It took me 12 years. From a 15-year-old who had barely left Brazil, to the executive who was expatriated by Unilever 6 years ago, so much happened. Here are 6 lessons I’ll always carry with me: 1. Be clear to your company about what your goals are. The clearer you are, the more people can support you to get there. 🎯 2. Some periods in our lives we will optimise for gaining experience, some for flexibility, some for money. Understand what you are optimising for. 👩🏽💻 3. Culture plays a big role in how we perceive others but we are all human beings. Be an empathetic, curious one and you’ll mostly get it right. 🤗 4. Do not let colleagues ever take advantage of your hard work just to feel like you ‘belong’. Real friendship doesn’t require favours. 👀 5. When dreaming big most times only the immediate next step is clear, and that’s ok. Take the foreseeable move and keep moving forward. ⏭️ 6. For whatever you aspire to do in life, whether it’s a new job, a new love, a country move, or simply a change, never forget: what’s meant for you is unavoidable. ✨ In the picture, a baby version of me - with the tulips of course 😊🌷. #Expatlife #Expatcarreer #Changingcountries

🌟 First Day in the Corporate World! 🌟 Hello unstoppable, I hope everyone is doing well! 😊✨ Today marks a significant milestone in my life—my first day in the corporate world, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this experience with you all! 🚀 Moving to a new city 🌆, in a state I've never been to before, with a completely different language, was a challenge I never imagined I’d face. But here I am, diving headfirst into this adventure. "The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." – Oprah Winfrey I really enjoyed the stay they have provided—it's more like my dream! 🏡 I like this place a lot, and it’s making this transition even smoother. 😊 As I stepped through the doors of my new workplace at Accenture, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. 😬 But I quickly realized that everything looks terrifying until you jump into it. Once you take that leap, you discover it's more of a gentle glide than a free fall. 🪂 "Don't overthink. Just do it." – A mantra I've been holding onto lately. Overthinking leads to doubts, and doubts hold us back. But once you push through, you realize that every step is a learning experience, and each one brings you closer to what you truly want. 💪 After the first day, I realized that I still need to learn a lot—not just about work, but about navigating this new environment and embracing the challenges that come with it. 🌱 The first day was filled with introductions, an exciting induction process, and so much new information. But what stood out the most was the warmth and support from my new colleagues. 🥰 It’s comforting to know that even in a new place with new challenges, there’s always a community ready to welcome you. 🌟 I'm thrilled to embrace this new chapter, face challenges head-on, and grow through every experience. 🌱 Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey so far. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead and can’t wait to share more of this adventure with you all! #NewBeginnings #CorporateJourney #CareerGrowth #FirstDay #Motivation #Accenture

A Decade in TCS Latin America: Navigating Life, Work,Learning and Growth Ten years ago today,I made a bold decision to move my career to Latin America. What began as a professional adventure quickly became a deeply transformative journey, blending work, personal growth, and cultural immersion in ways I never imagined.So i thought let me try and document my experience in the hope that it might benefit someone out there So here goes... Navigating New Beginnings The first few months were a whirlwind. Arriving in a new country,I faced the challenge of adjusting to a different work environment while grappling with language barriers and cultural differences. Securing a comfortable place to live was my first hurdle,but it was also the start of creating a new home base. Each day brought new experiences and opportunities to understand and adapt to my new surroundings. Career Transition and Growth Transitioning my career to Latin America was both exciting and demanding.The work environment here was distinct—more hierarchical and relationship-focused than I was used to. Embracing these differences helped me build strong professional networks and gain insights into regional practices. Over time, I not only adapted but thrived, finding new ways to contribute and grow in my field. Embracing the Culture Cultural immersion became one of the highlights of my experience.Making new friends and forming professional relationships was essential in feeling connected and supported. These interactions helped me appreciate the nuances of Latin American culture and its impact on both my personal and professional life. Facing Challenges and Reflecting on Growth Of course, there were challenges along the way. Adapting to a new country’s ways of life and handling homesickness tested my resilience. For an Indian expat Food and Family is everything! Balancing a demanding career with the complexities of living abroad required flexibility and perseverance. However, these challenges became stepping stones for personal growth. Looking Ahead As I reflect on this decade in Latin America, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. The experiences and growth I've gained have been invaluable, both professionally and personally. My Mom was able to visit a country outside India for the very first time! That feeling in itself is a win in life..Dad must be proud looking down I am sure. As I look toward the future, I carry with me a wealth of insights and a renewed appreciation for the diverse and dynamic world we live in. So if you are out there over- thinking about challenging yourself and in self doubt, Don't! Just go for it and you will be surprised at your own resilience. New adventures await me as I am sure they await you! To everyone from my #TCSLatinamerica family who has helped me during this journey, I continue to be thankful to each one of you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for reading. Tata Consultancy Services Tata Consultancy Services LATAM #10yearsinLATAM

No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive. – Mahatma Gandhi 🌍 Today is World Day for Cultural Diversity, a day to celebrate and appreciate the abundance and value of cultures around the world and in our workplaces. Culture is not a static concept based solely on nationality and ethnicity. It's a dynamic and evolving one that is influenced by many factors, such as technology, migration and social change. Culture shapes our values, beliefs, behaviors, and perspectives, and it can also be a source of learning, creativity, and innovation. As you know, I take pride in Accenture's diverse and inclusive culture, where I sponsor our Multicultural Iberia employee group. Differences are part of our strength, which we value and respect, as they empower us to thrive both professionally and personally. With more than 740,000 people from diverse backgrounds (north of 100 nationalities in Accenture España + Accenture Portugal), experiences, and identities, we have a unique opportunity to learn from each other, collaborate across boundaries, and deliver tangible value to our clients and communities. I hope you join me in celebrating and learning from our diverse and inclusive culture at Accenture and beyond. Happy World Day for Cultural Diversity! P.S. Understanding cultural preferences helps us communicate effectively and build stronger relationships. Below is my cultural profile (today's anyway!) according to the nifty Aperian tool. It compares cultural tendencies and provided a snapshot of my profile across six dimensions. I can also use it to compare my cultural style with that of other people, countries and my organization. #diversity #culture #multicultural #cultureofcultures Beck Bailey | Raffaella Temporiti | Amparo Gonzalez | maria jose vos martinez | Yolanda Umpiérrez Alvarez | Alana Stewart | Cécile Rochet | Ola Bolton ,SPHR (She/Her/Hers) | Khitam Elkhayat Khayat | Dimitris Spyrou | Asher Chocron | Evgeniia Naumova

/ˌriː.ɪnˈven.ʃən/ the act of producing something new based on something that already exists, or the new thing that is produced the act of changing your job or the way you look and behave so that you seem very different Reinvention is essential – not just in consulting but for everyone. Whether you’re navigating your career or personal life, embracing change can lead to incredible growth and opportunities. Take Madonna’s performance in Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), where she captivated 1.5 million people, or Beyoncé’s boundary-pushing artistry and versatility. These artists show us that reinvention leads to longevity and sustained success. If I could give advice to my younger self, I’d say: Don’t be afraid to try different things and embrace a "non-linear" path. Each twist and turn is an opportunity to learn, grow, and reinvent yourself. Life is an adventure, and every experience adds to your unique story. Earlier today, Christoph Loeffler emphasized its importance, not just for our clients, but for ourselves as well. From my time at Accenture, I've learned that reinvention isn’t just a concept. We live it internally, constantly evolving to meet new challenges and opportunities. What inspires you to keep evolving in your personal and professional life? Which company do you think has done an exceptional job at reinventing itself over the years? #PersonalGrowth #CareerJourney #Innovation #Accenture

Why do people chase after #short-term benefits? 🏃♂️ Why do people prefer to be #dependent on others rather than #independence? 🤔 I recently attended a highly informative and practical training session on #Food & #Mental Health. Out of the 3000 people on the invite list, only 20 took the time to join. Even for them, spending 45 minutes was a challenge. 😬 On the other hand, an event organized by the same team on #Music and #Dance attracted over 2000 participants for 90 minutes. 🎶💃 While both events aimed to create #positive experiences, the first was designed to teach people best practices and promote independence in their lives. Conversely, the second event was merely for passive participation, watching others perform. 🎭 How can people pay attention to activities where they are merely reactive participants, and always depending on external events or people to entertain them, while ignoring activities where they could learn important life lessons and become #self-sufficient? 🤷♂️ The difference lies in how these events engage with people. An event featuring music and dance directly appeals to two of our senses: vision (as we witness others enjoying the moment) and hearing (the beats of music). It requires no effort and provides instant gratification. 🎵👀 In contrast, an event focused on #meditative experiences taps into something beyond the five senses and requires grappling with the biggest obstacle: the mind. 🧘♂️ For this reason, people often choose dependency and avoid exerting effort! 😔 I realized this long ago and experimented with #alternative practices that combined the benefits of both events, such as dancing and singing with closed eyes. 🕺🎤 On a personal level, these practices have been very effective, and I'm now seeking ways to replicate these benefits in larger groups. 🌟 Here's hoping to deliver a session with these dual benefits soon. Wish me luck, my friends at Orange Business, Infosys, Genpact and my LinkedIn family ! 🍀

The new month brings with it new ideas and goals to pursue. Regardless of how last month went, it's important to focus on the present and the possibilities it holds. Now is the time to set your sights on achieving your objectives and making the most of this fresh start. Set your mind on how to face the challenges squarely and overcome them without delay. Join me to start the new month with words of affirmation. 🔥 I am grateful for everything in my life. 🔥 My life is filled with an abundance of goodness. 🔥 I attract opportunities that will birth life in abundance for me. 🔥 I receive the grace to control my emotions. 🔥 I am grateful for this moment. 🔥 I am transforming into someone who is always focused on positivity and gratitude. 🔥 I joyfully embrace each new day with gratitude. 🔥 I am seeing improvements and I am grateful for all of them. 🔥 Every new day is another opportunity for me to express gratitude to others. 🔥 I create a safe and secure space for myself wherever I am. 🔥 I permit myself to do what is right for me. 🔥 I am confident in my ability to fulfill my purpose. 🔥 I use my time and talents to help others locally and globally. 🔥 What I love about myself is my ability to overcome challenges. Positive affirmations are very powerful because they release you from negativity, fear, worry, and anxiety. When these affirmations are repeated over and over again, they begin to take charge of your thoughts, slowly changing your pattern of thinking and ultimately changing your life. "Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” Pick a line that resonates with you and repeat it in the comment section. #100dayspostingchallengewithcoachAdaeze #day3 #positiveaffirmation #newmonth

Celebrating a work anniversary, before the work anniversary! 🎊 In a few days, I will be celebrating my 3 years at Accenture Greece as an Agile Coach & Business Agility Manager. But that's not what I will be mostly celebrating about. The biggest milestone is the fact that I am hitting my PR of the longest stay at any company in my entire career! It's a realization that I made recently and got me thinking, "Wow, how did that happen?" 🤔 So I pondered on that as I usually do in such introspection cases and I came up with the reasons that kept me going: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Changing clients, teams, or projects throughout these years has given me the opportunity to refresh and tackle new challenges 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. What's for sure is that I hardly stayed on still waters. There have always been opportunities to grow and improve either through formal pieces of training or through the challenges and experiences that each environment has provided. 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. One of the most favorite aspects of my work is that I deal with lot of different people and teams, so I get to know plenty of new faces with different backgrounds, interests, and points of view. This is not only making me a better person but has also offered my some strong friendships along the way. 4️⃣ 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together. You know the drill. I strongly believe that not even one successful person has achieved greatness all alone. I'm grateful for the great colleagues and people around me who support me in whatever needed. What are your motivators in your current role or working environment? Curious to know about them! 💬 ⤵ #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #leadership #coaching #workingculture