This Week in Talent: Athanasia explores the delicate equilibrium between service and expertise in Talent Acquisition. She highlights the importance of trust, transparency, and continuous improvement in building credibility and influence. Discover how professionals can position themselves as both trusted advisors and service providers to drive success and shape better outcomes. Read on.
For my last week in talent, I’m zooming in on something I’ve been observing amongst our profession for a while now: How do we find the perfect balance between serving others and owning our expertise?
Here’s what I’ve come to realise:
Both trust and expertise must exist in equilibrium. People seek your expertise because they value your knowledge, but they won’t come to you—or stick around—if they don’t trust you.
In fact, according to a 2022 Gallup survey, 67% of employees say they’d leave a company if they don’t trust its leadership. Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of professional relationships and critical for collaboration and results.
So, ask yourself:
Then, focus on achieving—or maintaining—both.
Whether you’re a seasoned or aspiring Talent Acquisition professional, developing the following skills will help you master the delicate balance of service and expertise.
Spotting patterns is a shortcut to wisdom. It’s what allows you to provide insights and equip others with data that informs decisions.
This job is about people. The reward may not always be immediate or tangible, but the impact you have is significant. It’s so easy to become judgemental and cynical in this role, but if you want to build trust and be of both service and wisdom, approach every interaction with empathy, prioritising the needs of others.
Hoarding knowledge? Don’t do it. Sharing what you know empowers everyone and drives collective success. Plus, when you model transparency, others will mirror it, creating a more collaborative environment. (This is a perfect segway to remind you to do the ATC Contingent Workshop survey, if you haven’t already).
A mentor once told me, “No one wins a values-driven argument,” and it’s stuck with me ever since. Facts provide clarity, alignment, and objectivity, especially in decision-making.
Consider this: a Harvard Business Review article revealed that data-driven teams are 30% more likely to outperform their competitors. Facts set the foundation for trust, ensuring your expertise is respected and your message is understood.
Complacency is the enemy of growth. Regularly evaluate your performance, measure outcomes, and reflect on what’s working (and what’s not). Continuous improvement is the hallmark of trusted experts.
When you combine service with expertise, you position yourself as both a service provider and a trusted advisor—a balance that’s crucial in the work we do.
This beautiful hybrid offering will ensure you’re highly regarded, a first point of contact and a safe pair of hands to manage both operational and strategic work. It will also safeguard your personal brand and support you as you build on your networks.
Knowing how to utilise both is where the magic happens.
The balance between serving others and owning your expertise is a delicate one. It requires empathy, transparency, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Because when you strike that balance, you’re not just serving others—you’re shaping outcomes, building relationships, and driving success for everyone around you.
I haven’t included a link – It’s unlikely mine will mean anything to you, but we’re all in different sectors, solving different market issues. Know them. For me it’s financial services. For you it could be construction, education, manufacturing. Take an interest in the expertise of your stakeholders. Join a mailing list to an industry newsletter or register for a short course that will connect your expertise with the expertise of those you serve.
I love it! I also love how closely it tips into biases and how self aware we need to be when we’re applying this principal to decision making. So curious to know how the rest of the world sees it so if you feel like sharing your thoughts on it, I’m all ears.
ATC2024 was about thinking big – and Kevin’s Fearless Forecast for 2025 challenges us to do just that. Kevin’s expertise is invaluable and he generously shares his thoughts in this ATC2024 session playback.
