Maxme: We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …

Welcome Edan, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight.

You’re the Founder of Createfulness, and Chief Bander of Rubberband.

In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?

Edan Haddock: Rubberband is all about connecting and supporting local Talent Professionals and local Talent Service Providers. We exist to empower the local community, to celebrate our achievements, learn and grow from each other, and showcase our wonderful industry to the world. Mental health is also at the core and we are a safe place for professionals to reach out for help when stress levels are high, or just for a sounding board to help each other navigate the complexities of working life.

Createfulness is a mindset team development program. I am a florist by trade, and love bringing teams together to step out of the day-to-day reactive mindset, tap into their creative mindset, and come up with big ideas to implement in their workplaces. It's a wonderful program for innovation, creativity, and team bonding. And we get to play with beautiful fresh flowers! How cool is that!

M: Whilst Createfulness and Rubberband are your current professional focus, your impressive career spanning HR, Talent Acquisition & Recruitment is of course much deeper!

It all kicked off in early 2010 with you holding an Account Management role with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VECCI). Over the decade that followed, you continued to build your ‘people & talent’ repertoire both in-house and agency side via stints at organisations like Slade Group, Rubicor Group Ltd, The Ingen Group, Rowben Consulting, Monash University, AIA Australia, Flybuys and Crew Talent Advisory. 

Volunteering has also been an ongoing theme in your personal and professional journey. Since 2015 you’ve supported the likes of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Monash University’s LGBTIQ community, Ardoc, AIA Australia Pride Alley Network and the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association (RCSA) of Australia and New Zealand.

How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?

EH: I’m passionate about Inclusion, not just in the workplace, but in society.I have faced challenges in my life, and times of isolation. This can differ from individual to individual. 

Throughout my HR career I have always been involved in networking groups and attended many events. But I felt frustrated with the lack of diversity, and the barriers to community access faced by many Individuals. At times I even felt like it was an “echo-chamber environment”.

I really want to ensure that the community is accessible to everyone. No elite “invite only” scenarios, free access for everyone to ensure those with financial barriers have the access to learn and grow, a “one Industry” philosophy- regardless of sector (Agency, Internal, Consulting) So I set up an online networking group called Rubberband. This was at a time where there was a lot of stress in the industry during lockdown. Many people were facing financial hardship and of course quite simply the trauma of being isolated during the pandemic response. 

The group rapidly grew to over 1300 professionals, which quite quickly made me realise that I had found my purpose. It’s empowering to know the community makes a difference in the lives of so many people. And on a personal level, it gets me out of bed everyday. It truly is something special.

M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?

EH: Soft skills, soft skills, soft skills!

I grew up in South West Sydney, and I knew I was a gay man, I felt very displaced at the time. This was in the 90s during the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and there was a lot of fear and hatred in the community. 

I had the grades to get into University, and I did. But I really needed to move to the city and find people like me. In the 90s there certainly weren’t other guys like me in Campbelltown. Times have changed, but I was very badly bullied and to be honest I didn’t feel safe. So I deferred University, got a trade (Floristry) at TAFE and moved to Kings Cross as a 19 year old. 

I always say I learned more from living in my tiny cockroach infested bed-sit in the middle of Underbelly era Kings Cross than I have from any of my subsequent education. I learned about survival, about tolerance, about people. 

As a 30 year old I learned that all the skills I had learned about people from my life experience, would translate well as a Human Resources professional. I have of course now studied HR, Design Thinking, you name it. I feel that Education should be self-driven, and doesn't always need to be formal. Having a great mentor is critical, as is having a growth mindset. I learn something new everyday, recently learning how to build websites and SEO marketing. We must use that growth mindset to continually learn in life. It makes things interesting.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21-year-old self it would be ...

EH: I was a florist at 21. I remember being envious of all the office workers that would buy flowers from the shop I worked in. I never thought I would have the ability to be a white collar worker. I guess I never thought a company would embrace someone like me.

So 21 year old Edan - believe in yourself! Remember your uniqueness (and quirkiness) are what make you fabulous. People will love working with you. The sky's the limit!

M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?

EH: I work in Talent and I run a Talent community. So of course, this is essential! The most rewarding outcome for a Talent professional is to tap into the potential of candidates and employees, and to see them thrive in life. It is what drives us.

My advice is always the same. If you work in Talent you have a great responsibility to look beyond the CV or the experience, and gain a deep understanding of every human being that is behind that piece of paper. Empathetic leadership is key, and every Talent professional is a leader in their own way- regardless of experience level of reporting-line structures.

M: Self awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said… what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?

EH: Connection. I have learned, particularly over the past couple of years, that my superpower is connecting people and finding like minded people that can help each other grow. Not just professionally, but in life generally. Call me an Industry match-maker!

M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?

EH: Resilience. This is very common in the field of Recruitment. We get into this Industry to have a positive impact in the lives of people. This of course can only happen for one of the hundreds of applications we can see for each role, and having to be in the field of rejection impacts your mood and mental health. Kindness is key, and to remember that you can still have a positive impact, even when the news is not what the individual is hoping for. It's all about the experience you provide, and the kindness you show.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work in a field like Talent Acquisition, what would it be?

EH: Network and meet people from all walks of life. Everyone. Talk to everyone. Get to know human beings on a deeper level. What drives them, what their passions and interests are. And always challenge the status quo. This is essential to being successful in any field. Be curious, and you will have a highly successful career.

M: You’ve been granted approval to add one university graduate to your business, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?

EH: Values and potential. I’m a bit controversial in my views about Recruitment. I like to look forward rather than backward. I find CVs and behavioural interviewing quite out-dated. If you find an individual with a strong values alignment, a growth mindset and someone that demonstrates their future potential, you will see results that are far more special than a candidate that has “done it all before.”

M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” What’s next on your #learning agenda?

EH: I learn every day. It can be as simple as a new recipe, or as big as learning how to develop a website from scratch.

I don't focus on “big-rocks” and love to test and learn in every aspect of life. Maybe I should learn how to find some big rocks? Maybe that’s what's next for me.

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