Living in the Grey with Helen Ashton

Talent Management Truths

• “The Talent world is grey, and there are very few things that are black and white. The black and white things are usually legal and ethical. Living in the grey is about possibilities.”

- Helen Ashton

HR can feel like a very black-and-white place sometimes - especially for the people it serves. People in Talent and HR usually acknowledge that the work is more complex in its many shades of grey. Context and circumstances must be considered for each situation encountered, outside of say, certain strict legal or ethical or pension plan parameters. Listen in on this episode to explore what living in the grey is all about, and what makes it a reasonable approach.

My guest is Helen Ashton, who is VP People and Culture at Grand and Toy. Helen holds a Masters in Industrial Relations and HR and previously oversaw HR at Campbell Soup Company and Colgate-Palmolive. She started out in the military and owned martial arts schools at one point. We bonded over the fact that both she and my teen son are Tae Kwon Do Black Belts. Helen thrives in HR because she truly values the impact that HR can have on people’s lives, both professionally and personally.

In this episode of Talent Management Truths, you’ll discover:

🍏 What learning Helen has brought with her from the military into her HR career

🍏 How to avoid rollouts that feel like you need to do a big, heavy sales job

🍏 Insights into being flexible and “living in the grey”

About Helen Ashton: Helen is responsible for developing and executing the people strategy that aligns with the values and strategic priorities of the organization. She is passionate about creating a culture of belonging, two-way communication, and she is focused on talent development and ESG initiatives.

Helen joined the Grand & Toy family in April 2022 and brings 20 years of progressive experience in the Human Resources function. Her experiences spans a number of industries including automotive, MRO and Consumer Packaged Goods industries. Helen’s career also

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