Helen Tupper
“We need to forget about plans and focus on possibilities.” - Helen Tupper
Helen Tupper is a prominent figure in the realm of career development and leadership in the UK. She is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Amazing If, a company dedicated to enhancing career progression in what she and her business partner, Sarah Ellis, refer to as 'squiggly careers' - careers that are less linear and more fluid in today's dynamic job market. Helen's work empowers individuals to navigate these non-traditional career paths with confidence and agility.
Before founding Amazing If, Helen held various leadership positions at major corporations like Microsoft, Virgin, and BP. Her experience in these diverse roles has shaped her approach to career coaching, emphasising adaptability and personal growth. Her academic background includes studies at Henley, Cranfield, and Cass Business School, which further underpins her expertise in business and leadership.
With Sarah Ellis, Helen has co-authored two bestsellers, "The Squiggly Career" and "You Coach You," both of which have been well-received, becoming a Sunday Times No.1 Business Bestseller. These books advocate for self-coaching and provide practical tools for career development. Their podcast, "Squiggly Careers," has also garnered significant attention, offering insights and advice on career management, with millions of downloads, solidifying Helen's status as a thought leader in this space.
Helen is also actively involved in philanthropy, serving as a Trustee for Working Families, a charity aimed at supporting families in their work-life balance. This role reflects her commitment to not just professional growth but also to societal well-being.
Helen Tupper continues to influence and inspire through her work at Amazing If, her writings, speaking engagements, and her role in fostering better work environments. Her contributions have been acknowledged in various platforms, including a TEDx talk which has been viewed nearly two million times, underlining her impact on modern career narratives.
The Body Of Work
Helen Tupper, through her work with Amazing If and alongside her partner Sarah Ellis, has made significant contributions to the field of career development. Here's an overview of her notable works:
Books:
"The Squiggly Career": This book, co-authored with Sarah Ellis, is a guide to navigating modern, non-linear career paths. It became a Sunday Times No.1 Business Bestseller. The book offers practical advice on how to take control of your career, embrace change, and foster continuous learning. It's built around the idea that careers today are more like a 'squiggle' than a straight line, encouraging self-awareness, networking, and adaptability.
"You Coach You": Another collaboration with Sarah Ellis, this book focuses on self-coaching. It provides readers with the tools to coach themselves through career challenges, helping with goal-setting, confidence-building, and personal development. The methodology is designed to help individuals become more proactive in their career and personal growth.
Podcast:
"Squiggly Careers": This podcast, which Helen co-hosts with Sarah Ellis, is dedicated to career advice, particularly for those navigating non-traditional career paths. It has become very popular, offering episodes on a variety of topics from networking to managing imposter syndrome. Each episode typically includes actionable advice, making it not just informative but immediately beneficial to listeners.
Speaking Engagements:
Helen Tupper has delivered numerous talks, including a highly viewed TEDx talk titled "The Squiggly Career". This talk encapsulates her philosophy on career progression in the modern age, emphasising the need for resilience, curiosity, and self-awareness.
Workshops and Programs:
Through Amazing If, Helen has developed various workshops and programs like "Know Your Strengths", "Career Strengths", and "Career Curves". These are designed to help individuals and organisations understand and leverage personal and team strengths in career contexts, fostering environments where both personal development and organisational growth are prioritised.
Contributions to Publications:
Helen contributes articles to various professional and career development publications, often sharing insights from her experiences and the broader work of Amazing If. These articles often extend the concepts from her books, providing fresh perspectives on current career trends.
Helen's work is characterised by its accessibility and practicality, aimed at empowering individuals to take charge of their career journeys in an era where traditional career ladders are less common. Her influence extends beyond her written and spoken words, impacting many through the practical application of her ideas in corporate training and personal development sessions.
Big Takeaways
Here are five big takeaways from Helen Tupper's work, particularly from her books and public speaking on career development:
Embrace the Squiggly Career:
Helen Tupper advocates for recognising that career paths are no longer linear. She encourages individuals to see their career as a 'squiggle' where lateral moves, career changes, and adaptability are key to personal and professional growth. This mindset shift helps in preparing for and embracing the unpredictability of modern careers.
Self-Coaching is Key:
From "You Coach You", one of the major takeaways is the importance of self-coaching. Tupper stresses that you don't always need an external coach to grow; you can coach yourself by understanding your strengths, setting clear goals, and reflecting on your progress. This empowers individuals to take control of their development.
Know and Leverage Your Strengths:
Tupper emphasises the significance of understanding your strengths and how they can be applied in various contexts within your career. This knowledge not only boosts confidence but also guides career decisions, ensuring that one's work aligns with what one naturally excels at.
Networking is Essential, Not Optional:
She highlights that in the squiggly career landscape, networking isn't just about job hunting; it's about learning, support, and opportunity creation. Tupper advises building genuine relationships, not just for immediate gain but for long-term career resilience and growth.
Continuous Learning and Curiosity:
A core theme in Tupper's work is the need for lifelong learning. She posits that curiosity and a willingness to learn new skills or adapt to new environments are vital for success in a changing workplace. This approach encourages resilience and the ability to pivot when necessary.
These takeaways collectively form a framework for navigating modern careers with agility, self-awareness, and strategic action, reflecting Helen Tupper's philosophy on career development.