The 2022 Top Consultants: Tracey Groves

Tracey Groves, a Partner at StoneTurn, brings more than 30 years of experience in diversity, equality and inclusion, corporate governance, ethical conduct and behaviors, regulatory compliance, risk assessment and culture change. She counsels leaders of complex, global organizations on environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies that accelerate growth and innovation, drive ethical conduct and inclusive cultures, and unlock responsible business performance.

A TEDx speaker, media commentator and accomplished author and panelist, Tracey is also Founder and CEO of award-winning consultancy Intelligent Ethics, which specializes in ethical business conduct, business transformation and inclusive leadership including culture change interventions and behavioral frameworks. She partners with clients to comprehensively integrate 'doing the right thing' into their corporate infrastructure, helping them to navigate the complex business, people and reputational issues that often arise when developing and implementing new initiatives.

Tracey has been recognized for her work in diversity, equality and inclusion through many awards including Women in Business Champion, Grant Thornton International, 2019, Financial Times /HERoes Women in Business Role Model: Outstanding 100 Female Executives 2019 and 2018, and she has been named as one of the top 16 advisors in the U.K.'s 'Most Powerful Women in the City' list, City AM, 2015.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

My core values are integrity, honesty and trust. I have always sought roles and environments which allow me to flourish and be at my best, which means being aligned to my values and purpose. My father taught me discipline from a very early age and instilled a work ethic that has been constant throughout my career. I often think back to my father, at times when I was flagging or doubting my ability, saying to me "there is no such word as can't." These words still come to mind in challenging times and it has allowed me to develop a resilience and stamina that is inherent in everything that I do.

One of my intrinsic motivators is my ability to grow and develop others regardless of their gender, ethnicity or any other diversity characteristic. My impact on individuals and my moral leadership influence is hugely important to me. This means leading others through inspiration, inclusion and human connection generating a culture of ambition, resilience, quality and well-being. I am driven to build and be part of a team where high performance and excellence are shared objectives, where collaboration and a collective sense of achievement matters more than any individual's prowess, and where fairness and equity are paramount. This has enabled me to overcome resistance to change from others and to build deep, human connections with individuals who may have previously experienced bias and a lack of dignity in the workplace.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

I am not afraid to show my humanity and vulnerability to others and this is one of the biggest factors of my success. For me, humanity in the workplace begins with recognizing that we all have flaws that none of us is perfect, and we are all deeply connected by a desire to belong and feel included. We need to know that we matter, and that we are valued by others, regardless of our difference. As fellow human beings we are all in this together, and acknowledging and accepting the human condition, as a positive enabler of growth and personal development, unlocks true potential and untapped talent in the workplace.

I have developed high levels of emotional agility, recognizing my own emotions and thoughts in a mindful way, and aligning them to my core values in order to serve myself and others better in the long term. I seek to create inclusive environments that are built on psychological safety and a shared sense of dignity, where people feel they can be heard and can truly be themselves, building a culture of mutuality and trust.

By sharing my own stories and experiences, I offer a window for others to realize that they are not alone and demonstrating that by showing our vulnerability we can be so much stronger together. The paradox of vulnerability as an inclusive leadership skill is that by manifesting weakness and humility, my impact and power as a leader of diversity, equality and inclusion is much more compelling.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

My enjoyment comes from the challenge and variety of working with people and organizations from different countries and diverse cultures who are seeking my expertise and experience. Often, clients ask consultants to deliver a generic solution which they believe will address their needs. Taking them back to identify why they need my support, in the context of their own cultural landscape, before leaping to what they need is a diagnostic challenge that I enjoy, and I use this as a platform to build trust and respect which transcends difference.

Some of most enjoyable client experiences have occurred in situations of extreme pressure and challenging circumstances. For example, meeting with the president of a North African country in their Presidential Palace, surrounded by armed bodyguards, to discuss financial integrity, ethical conduct and transparency using simultaneous translation, was humbling. The process involved was physically intimidating and fraught with political sensitivities. I recall being accompanied by a personal security consultant and being trained on what to do if our hotel was attacked by rebel troops.

This experience is, however, a highlight of my career. Knowing that I had the opportunity to influence the economic position, the societal well-being and ethical prosperity of a country where bribery and corruption was systemic, was extremely fulfilling and rewarding. It is a privilege to learn about the dynamics of different cultures, traditional beliefs and underlying attitudes, and I am inspired to create a climate where the ethical principles of justice, equality and dignity are hardwired.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

One of the best pieces of advice that I have been given (out of many) is: 'Every time you say yes, you are saying no to something else.'

My natural energy, strong work ethic and high levels of enthusiasm means I tend to say 'yes' when I am approached by others for support. This means that I can easily not give myself enough time to replenish and rest on a personal level, and it has also resulted in situations where I have had to say 'no' to work opportunities that I wish I could have taken up. This comes from a deep-seated belief that 'no' is a negative word and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to respond positively and help others. When I first heard this advice, I immediately felt a sense of liberation and recognized an opportunity to still be myself, but with more insight and dexterity.

The advice has led me to be smarter about how I prioritize my energy and to give myself permission to pause, step back and reflect before making any commitments. It has enabled me to empower others around me through increased levels of delegation and more active coaching in the workplace. I now seek to identify the intended and unintended consequences of saying 'yes', both on my work life and personal life, and to think strategically about how I can optimize my influence and impact through the effective deployment of my team and colleagues.

What does this recognition mean to you?

I believe that a workplace culture built on the ethical principles of trust, integrity and honesty is critical to creating a sustainable business given the levels of uncertainty, pace of change and disruption in our world. Diversity, equality and inclusion is not a nice to have, it is a must have, if business is to prosper and thrive in the longer term. Without nurturing and fostering a culture where difference is recognized and celebrated as a force for good, the opportunity for under-performance and misconduct thrives.

This recognition would inspire others to see and believe that a focus on DEI is a strategic business imperative, which enables performance, value creation and growth that benefits not only organizations but also individuals and wider society. By shining a light on DEI, and by elevating it alongside other commercial goals and strategic objectives, this recognition will reinforce and help to validate the importance and criticality of this business opportunity.

I would feel extremely proud to be recognized in this way. I intend to use it as a platform for amplifying the business focus on DEI and to optimize my impact in the market and with my workplace colleagues. I am driven to be a multiplier and it is vital that DEI is positioned as a business priority. Proper investment must be given to equip, empower and educate people to truly be themselves at work and be the best that they can be. This award would help me to achieve just that.