Meet JB: 13 years of growth, grit and good banter

Joelle Beaton, better known around Talent as JB, has built a career around strong relationships, ambitious goals and a willingness to keep challenging herself.

Based in our Melbourne office, she works across Talent and Scale by Avec as a Practice Lead, helping her clients navigate complex workforce challenges while supporting the people around her to succeed. She’s also a committed LGBTQIA+ ally whose approach to leadership is grounded in kindness, empathy and recognising that different people need different kinds of support.

We caught up with JB to reflect on the experiences, people and opportunities that have shaped her career so far.

You joined Talent in 2013. What first brought you to the business, and what do you remember about those early days?

I had already been in recruitment for 13 years when I joined Talent. Despite working for some decent companies, I often felt there was a lot of “smoke and mirrors”. They talked a big game about culture and values publicly, but back in the office, it could be dog-eat-dog. That really bothered me.

Talent had a relatively small presence in the Melbourne market at the time, but I knew Simon (Managing Director of Talent Melbourne) and Nathan (now Senior Manager at Scale by Avec) and respected them both. After several meetings, I decided to join the team.

One of the first differences I noticed was the energy in the Melbourne office. It was a hub of activity, and people were empowered to go out and make something of themselves and the market. That hasn’t changed.

We were a team of around 10 and very much the underdogs. There was a strong sense of camaraderie, with plenty of banter, laughter and encouragement. We were encouraged to have fun, and we did. That was what made the difference for me. With it came growth, success and lasting friendships.

Thirteen years is a long time to stay with one company, especially in recruitment. What has made Talent a place where you’ve wanted — and been able — to keep growing?

It is a long time, so thanks for reminding me!

In all seriousness, I’ve stayed because I’m still learning, still being encouraged to challenge myself and still have things I want to achieve professionally. I love that we’re encouraged to keep pushing forward. Talent never rests on its laurels and isn’t afraid to try new things.

I have an amazing team, both in the people I work with day to day and across the broader Victorian business. I’ve made many friends here, people I can truly count on, and I love that this extends interstate too.

We have a unique company, and we should be proud of it.

You recently put your hand up for a Toastmasters challenge and ended up winning a trip to New York. What did the experience teach you about stepping outside your comfort zone?

So much. I didn’t think I would win, but I believed I had a chance. Predictably, the team got behind me, and I’ve now had an experience like no other.

Ultimately, it reinforced that the old adage is true: you have to be in it to win it. It’s easy to find excuses in life, but I’m a big believer in personal accountability. If it’s going to be, it’s up to me. Corny, I know, but also very true.

As I get older, I look back at some of the risks I didn’t take with a little regret. At work, as in life, it’s about being willing to take a chance. We’re lucky to work somewhere that encourages that and where it’s safe to fail.

The key is giving it a go. If it doesn’t work, you get back up, dust yourself off and try again.

With that in mind, I also accepted a marriage proposal while I was over there, at the top of the Empire State Building, to be precise. Third time lucky for me, but again, you’ve got to be in it to win it. Apparently, that includes love!

As a committed LGBTQIA+ ally, how has inclusion shaped the way you lead and support others?

My approach to life is grounded in an old-school principle I learned as a child: treat others as you would want to be treated. I try to lead with kindness and empathy.

We’re all different on some level, and how boring would the world be if we were all the same? Diversity is the spice of life.

My own family brings together different cultures, beliefs, identities, experiences and some very different views of the world. As the parent of a trans daughter, I’ve also seen how important it is for people to feel accepted and supported for who they are.

The LGBTQIA+ community has taught me that leadership isn’t about treating everyone in exactly the same way. It’s about recognising that people have different experiences, needs and barriers, and being prepared to adjust how you support them so they have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Looking back at your career with Talent so far, what are you most proud of? And what are you still excited to achieve?

There are so many things I’m proud of and probably even more that I’d still like to achieve.

Reaching my first $1 million milestone, and then doing it every year since, is right up there. Winning all three Values Awards within the Victorian team in the same year was pretty special too.

As for what’s next, I’d like to land some great Scale by Avec deals over the next 12 months, identify more opportunities to collaborate with Avec and other areas of the business, and help my team reach the $4 million mark.

There’s still plenty to do.