Leading Yourself To New Height

Will you be donning a black gown to join the throng of graduates filling Cardiff city centre this week? Or a not-so-recently graduated bystander, watching the aspiring leaders of tomorrow and reflecting on your own long-held ambitions for a directorship post?

Either way, amidst the celebration, reminiscence and uncertainty, you may like to take some time to anticipate – and set the wheels in motion for – your future career.

As specialist recruiters in management and leadership, we work closely with both current and future leaders to drive the success of businesses in Wales. Here are 8 lessons from some of the inspiring leaders we’ve spoken to, to help get your career off to a flying start:

Know What Leadership Is - “Understand that leadership isn’t about rank or role; it’s about engaging and bringing people along with you.” – Yvonne Murray, Head of HR, Cardiff Airport. An excellent start that will stand your prospects for a management role in good stead.

Believe In Yourself - Even the most proficient leaders experience moments of self-doubt, but as Hannah Heath, Finance Director at JoJo Maman Bébé says: “If you believe in yourself and believe that something is possible, it is.”

Aim High - “Don’t limit your ambition by just thinking of the next step…” says Lynda Campbell, Director Culture Angel and LJC Associates. “If you aim the highest you can possibly aim, you won’t reach that point – but you won’t be far off.” It certainly pays to have a long-term plan but allow for flexibility.

Network - “Develop your internal and external network,” advises Gareth Way, Chief HR Officer, Creditsafe Business Solutions. “You never know where your next opportunity is going to come from and someone you meet could have an answer to a problem you have in work.” It’s a cliché, but sometimes it really is ‘all about who you know’.

Go The Extra Mile - “It’s about stretching yourself and having the right attitude. A prospective employer or same employer will be looking to see you have pushed the boundaries of your current role and pursued/embraced development opportunities.” Rob Baker, Director of HR, University of South Wales. This is certainly our experience as recruiters.

Be Proactive - “If you don’t ask, you don’t get,” says Carys Hughes, Chief Financial Officer for Creditsafe Business Solutions. “It’s about balance though; know your worth, but don’t be overbearing.” Bottom line: don’t wait for opportunities to be offered to you; go out and find them.

Walk The Walk - “Gain operational experience in a line manager role, even if it’s in a different industry,” says Jon Bridge, Director of People and Culture at S.A. Brain and Company. “You’ll be more credible because you’ll understand what it’s like to be in the position your people are in.” Not being afraid to get your hands dirty is another great way to earn respect in the workplace.

Get A Mentor - “Seek out a mentor early on” – Ita McNeil-Jones, Sitka Recruitment – I’ve seen what a significant difference mentoring can have, both in my role as a recruiter and as a mentor myself. That’s why we coach all our candidates as part of the recruitment process to help them perform well right from the initial interview.