Name: Emma Durkin
Designation: People Management Lead
Company: iSPartners (Pty) Ltd
What do you do every day? I truly believe that to be a great people manager you have to have a real, genuine passion for people – you cannot fake it. All of our people managers at iSPartners are a testament to this fact, which is why each and every one excels at what they do.
People management requires an orderly approach. Organised files, strong time management skills, and personal efficiency are key to effectiveness in this role. We are dealing with people’s lives and careers here so the responsibility is huge but so are the rewards.
The People Management Lead is the conscience of the company, as well as the keeper of confidential information. As you serve the needs of top management, you also monitor their actions toward employees to be sure that policies and regulations are followed. You need to be able to push back when they aren’t in order to keep the firm on the straight and narrow. Not an easy responsibility and this is where your negotiation, conflict management and diplomacy comes to the fore.
How did you get into the tech space? I was originally in the airline industry, moved to recruitment in the banking sector and was introduced to iSPartners through an ex-colleague who was recruiting for the company and looking for someone with a psychology degree and line management experience. The rest is history!
What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? Not so much advice but a saying that I live by: “No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future.”
What advice would you given someone wanting to get into the tech sector? Contact It’s About People – the best recruiting company in the country!
What motivates you to get out of bed every day? Making a difference in people’s lives and making their working experience at iSPartners a memorable one (for all the right reasons!)
Who do you want to be when you grow up? An older version of myself – hopefully wiser!
Find me on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/emma-durkin/14/933/a1a