Be the CEO Your Parents Always Wanted You to Marry

I loved this advertising campaign from Bumble and it inspired me to write this blog post. I am six years into my career has already taught me a lot about leadership, being a team player and staying motivated. I may be far off from being a CEO just yet but here are some of the things that I think helps you head in the right direction wherever you are in your career.

Collaborate to Compete
This is one of Skyscanner’s key values, my first employer. Before starting my career I thought it was common for people to feel like they needed to keep their new ideas a secret, that you had to be cautious about handing out advice or I thought people had to adopt a “dog eat dog” mentality to succeed in their career. However, from my experience in the real world there has been a real shift to more collaboration, community over competition and a willingness to help each other in business. It has hit home to me that there is always something to learn whether you are giving the help or receiving the help. Everyone has their own strengths and their own network that can make a huge difference to what you are working on and vice versa.

“If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together” — African Proverb

Your Inner Circle is your Foundation
Having quality people in your inner circle is probably one of the most important things in your life, and I continue to evaluate the people I spend my time with. It is likely you don’t even realise how much people in your life can shape you. You know when you are with a best friend on holiday and you end of up picking up their mannerisms and sayings after just a week together? Well, this reflection can go deeper when it comes to the people in your everyday life. I truly believe it can be the difference between pursuing an idea and giving up based on the people you are surrounded by.

“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with”

Influence with your Heart not your Head
Emotions are what sells products, makes a good presentation great, drives home a message, and moves people to action. Businesses don’t work with businesses, people work with people. Use your emotions to create connections with people that builds upon mutual respect. This will eventually lead to a better way of positively influencing people.

“People don’t buy into what you do but why you do it.” — Simon Sinek

Test Pivot Test Pivot
“Growth hacking” is a bit of buzzword in the tech world, but the “growth hacking” mentality can be applied to so many different businesses and to an extent, everyday life. Growth hacking involves a blend of creativity and analytical thinking, for example looking at data to measure closely what works for your customers. Another big part of growth hacking are MVPs or “minimal viable products.” In short this is a way to see if a big idea has potential by testing out in a small. If you are thinking about pursuing a new idea start off small and have the flexibility not to be attached to your idea if it does not work. Be willing to test pivot test pivot until it works for you and you start seeing results.

Be a Bookworm
The average person reads less than one book a year, however an average CEO (yes I understand they are people too) reads nearly 40! I try and read as many books as I can, which is difficult for me as I am a relatively slow reader. I know it’s tempting to switch the TV on and turn your brain off for an hour or two but books provide clarity on difficult subjects, improves your memory, allows you to up skill and of course make use of those dead hours of commuting.

Wherever you are in your career, everyone has the potential to be a great leader in what they set their mind too. These are only some of things that I think are important in your career I would love to hear your feedback on what you think are important attributes.