Dynamic Duos: ‘Our views on the world differ in lots of ways, but we find common ground’
This week in Dynamic Duos, SCA's chief people and culture officer, Rebecca Ackland, and chief operating officer, Stephen Haddad, share how despite being opposites in a lot of ways, they get along like a house on fire.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Rebecca Ackland:
Stephen and I met as colleagues at SCA when I started with the business eight years ago. We share a passion for amazing people, family values, and love a challenging intellectual debate on the issues that matter.
Stephen and I both have cultural backgrounds that value hard work, respect, and family above all else. While our views on the world differ in lots of ways – we find common ground in these core values.
I’ve learned a lot from Stephen’s honest and straight up approach, and along with John Kelly (SCA CEO), he has been an incredible mentor and supporter of my career.
We’ve become great friends and respect each other immensely.
Stephen Haddad:
Bec and I started working together eight years ago at SCA. My first impression of Bec was that she was highly motivated, very capable, and responsive colleague. We share a similar sense of humour, similar views on certain topics and vastly different views on others. Each and every time we debate topics we are both passionate about, I am always left changed in some way for the better.
Over the period we have worked together, Bec’s career at SCA has gone from strength to strength, as has our professional relationship and our friendship, which is founded on a strong respect for each other’s views and a belief that debating topics respectfully leaves both parties better off.
We don’t always agree but we always come together and leave with positive intent. We have become both robust with each other and the best of mates!
Rebecca on Stephen:
Most memorable moment with Stephen: One professional achievement of Stephen’s that has been memorable for me is watching him travel to 20 of our offices on a recent strategy roadshow around the country. He engages with our teams in a highly transparent, relatable and genuine way that people respond incredibly well to.
He’s the kind of person that finishes a presentation and spends all afternoon engaging with the teams about their lives and goals. I’ve learned a lot from Stephen’s warmth and generosity as a leader.
Best word to describe him: ‘IQ/EQ’ (I’m squeezing a few words in there).
Stephen is a mathematician by background and has been a technologist for most of his career. He is highly intellectual and is able to comprehend huge topics and distil them down in a simple way. Generally that kind of intellect comes with a gap on the EQ side – but not with Stephen. He understands people well and approaches life with empathy and humanity. I think this is a rare blend.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: Stephen is a highly principled person with a deep rooted sense of self and is steadfast in his beliefs. Sometimes that comes with stubbornness and we have had many a challenging (sometimes yelling) debate! Perhaps I am also somewhat on the stubborn side…but I’d never admit it to him!
Stephen on Rebecca:
Most memorable moment with Rebecca: Rebecca is extremely passionate about both advocacy and fairness, simply put – doing the right thing when it matters most.
My most memorable moment with Rebecca was during the design and implementation of SCA Gender Neutral 20 week paid parental leave program. Rebecca represented the case for this policy with such conviction and passion that it was great to see her operating at her ‘best self’.
Best word to describe her: Empathy with honesty – Rebecca listens kindly and then shares the truth.
She takes the time to understand others’ perspectives and feelings, showing compassion and understanding. After listening attentively, she provides honest and thoughtful feedback, ensuring that her words are both sincere and constructive. Rebecca’s approach fosters trust and openness, making people feel heard and respected while also guiding them with truthful insights that simply don’t miss!
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Rebecca’s most annoying habit has to be ‘being right’ and letting you know it! She is a high intellect, deep thinking person that rarely passes comment on something without having clearly thought it through – and being right!
Anyone that has spent any time with Rebecca will undoubtably be endeared by her infectious passion and strong values coupled with a never relentless work ethic.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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