What is your favorite moment in the training room?

My favorite moment comes when I see the class has really come together for each other. When people are offering feedback to others, there is no sense of judgment, just the opportunity for improvement and encouragement. If the groups work together on a regular basis, I’m confident that they will feel comfortable enough in the future to pull their colleague aside and ask for feedback regarding an upcoming presentation. I think we develop a real sense of community during our time together in the training room.

What’s one thing you wish the business world would borrow from the acting world?

One of the things heard over and over in acting technique is “Make a strong choice!” It might mean doing something unexpected, or spontaneous up on stage to keep the audience engaged; or simply deciding how you want to deliver a line in order to really affect your fellow actors on stage. But make that bold choice and stick with it—follow it to its natural end. In the business world, I think we really need to put ourselves out there. Make those strong choices in what you say and how you say it so you will be memorable and your message will stick. In presentations, don’t try to cover a little bit of everything. Choose what you really want to get through to your audience and dive into it.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Energy! I’m the kind of person that throws themselves into whatever job or task is in front of them. I like to give it my all. Since going back to school for a new degree, I noticed to my horror that I’m still the kind of student that has to sit in the front row and try to answer every question the teacher throws out there. I balance all this zeal by trying to be a good listener to everyone I come in contact with. Hearing other people’s stories and experiences gives me the opportunity to slow down and really connect.

What is your hidden talent?

For being an actor (they are stereotypically described as emotional and over-dramatic), I can be surprisingly calm and level headed during difficult situations. Some analytical part of my brain switches on and I love the challenge of trying to find the best possible outcome when the chips are down.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I often take tours of old estate and botanical gardens whenever I get a chance—either locally or whenever I have a few extra hours traveling. I am always struck by those old trees that are centerpieces of great landscapes. I would love to come back as one of them. Have the opportunity to store memories in leaves, branches and roots: the picnics, meetings, playtimes and conversations that have taken place around me. Initials carved into bark for generations after to see. The absolute permanence of some of these majestic trees always takes my breath away.