Human on the Inside with Bupa’s Ruth Bell
Human on the Inside. 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 …
Maxme: Welcome Ruth, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman spotlight. You’re currently Head of People - Health Services for Bupa.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?
Ruth Bell: Three sentences is absolutely not enough…I always find it hard to explain my role, and despite what my children think, it’s (slightly) more than talking on the phone and sending emails!
Bupa is contracted by the Australian Government to deliver health services to 85,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. We also operate medical centres around Australia on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs to provide immigration health examinations to Australian visa applicants, via Bupa Medical Visa Services (BMVS).
My role is about developing and executing a People Strategy that underpins the delivery of these two important contracts and engaging and developing our people to deliver on our purpose. My team and I employ, engage and develop doctors, health assessors, receptionists, call centre staff and others to ensure we can deliver these important services to ADF members and visa applicants.
I’m incredibly proud to work in these two businesses and for the broader Bupa Group.
M: You’re a human resources leader with over a decade’s experience in specialist and strategic business partner roles.
With experience spanning leadership coaching, talent identification and development, succession planning, employee relations, remuneration and organisational change (including large-scale transformation and divestments), you’ve clocked impressive tenures for NAB (almost 10 years) and Bupa (almost 3 years) - two of Australia’s most well known brands.
Over this time you’ve also welcomed three children into the world, and invested in some wonderful upskilling as a Mental Health First Aider and a Certified Organisational Coach.
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
RB: Since having children, I’ve become more mindful of how I spend my time. The perfect role for me involves working with great people and doing work that truly makes a difference – be that to our customers, employees or the broader community. I’m absolutely more empathetic but I also have a lot more perspective and don’t sweat the small stuff.
I feel genuine pride to work in Healthcare and I’m incredibly lucky to work with the most fabulous people. It’s important to me to be able to come into work and have fun – to have a laugh and enjoy the day, as we spend so much of our time at work.
I am also extremely lucky to be in an organisation, and work for a manager, who genuinely cares about flexibility. For 6 years I have worked part-time in various capacities, and have always been supported to do so. In this time, I have had various arrangements, including working in a job-share, and feel incredibly grateful to have been able to progress my career and deliver to the business in the hours that work for me and my family.
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?
RB: A career in Human Resources was not something I consciously planned. When I finished school, I studied a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Master of Business at Monash University and from here I sort of fell into HR – it seemed the most logical fit for my two Degrees!
My first corporate role was at NAB on the HR Graduate Program and this was a brilliant place to start my career. I worked with fabulous people, was given amazing opportunities and there was significant investment in training and developing graduates.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
RB: Don’t be wedded to a particular career path. There are roles out there that you don’t know about and if you’re inflexible or closed, you may miss great opportunities. My most valuable experiences have surfaced from a tap on the shoulder. They haven’t necessarily been well-defined roles but they have stretched me from a development perspective, and exposed me to different people, processes and experiences.
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?
RB: Technology has given us so much, but there is also much it can’t give. From a Healthcare perspective, you have the ability to completely transform the patient experience by the way in which you engage with and care for people.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
RB: I am very optimistic. It’s not that I don’t acknowledge the bad, but I’m not deterred by setbacks or challenges and continue to believe what I want to achieve, can be achieved. I also remain pretty calm in the face of difficulties – whether it be a screaming toddler or a big work issue, I don’t get flustered easily.
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?
RB: Every school report my parents received said that I was “too talkative…distracts others”!
While I‘m still talkative, with increased self-awareness I am hopeful there is less distraction.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work in a field like HR, what would it be?
RB: Many people say they want to work in HR because they “love people”. This might sound harsh, but working in HR is not about loving people… it is about supporting the business to achieve its goals, delivering to customers and helping employees to perform at their best and thrive in their role.
Of course, the hygiene factors of employment are critical – making sure people are paid correctly, ensuring they have the right skills and capability to perform their role and providing a safe and supportive work environment.
But much of HR involves really tricky conversations, hard decisions and challenging the way things are done. It’s not dissimilar to parenting – you’re not meant to be your child’s best friend; similarly, being a valued member of a business leadership team is not just about being liked – it’s about being trusted.
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?
RB: The right attitude.
Leave the politics at the door, bring a growth mindset and a can-do attitude. Hired!
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
RB: I thoroughly benefitted from the course I did through the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership (IECL) and would love to further my education in Coaching. I really value the skills I developed in powerful questioning and perspective taking (although I’m not sure my husband appreciates it when I practise on him!)
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