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As Managing Director, my role is to develop and implement the business strategy, engage with key stakeholders and foster a culture of productivity and inclusion.
I tend to wake up at 6am to do an hour of exercise which usually consists of running, cycling or HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). The endorphins released after exercise always put me in a great mood and sets me up perfectly for the day. I cold shower after to wake up my nervous system – in winter, I usually have an ice bath outside! I then make time to meditate to calm my mind and get clarity on the day ahead.
The kids are always up early working before school and most days I eat breakfast with them. Otherwise, I’m out of the house early to get an early start meeting.
I tend to start work by planning my day and reviewing my diary, aligning operational tasks with strategic priorities.
In the Managing Director role you have to be adaptable and ready to tackle a broad spectrum of challenges. Ideally, I would book meetings for the morning and use the afternoon for closing down a variety of tasks. However, the reality is far more eclectic and I constantly plan to ensure I can adapt to the moment whilst keeping sight of operational and strategic goals.
Productivity can mean different things depending on the task and time of day. The skill of the exercise is planning each day in a way which optimises fluctuating moods, and levels of energy and focus. We’re human beings, not robots!
If I had a big project to review such as a budget forecast, this would be a morning job, ideally on a morning when I can take a couple of hours to not be disturbed and really focus with a fresh set of eyes.
I create and refresh multiple to do lists for both work and personal areas throughout the day. This ensures my actions are consistent with my values and goals. The quality of the time is as important as the amount of the time. Practising mindfulness and being present is a great way to achieve this. Most days are full on, and I consciously look to take time to step back, connect with the moment, go for a walk, and the huge benefit is that I can return to my work being refreshed.
The satisfaction at the end of a day, when you feel like you’ve added value. Actually adding value and feeling like you’ve added value doesn’t always correlate. There’s always budgets, numbers or systems that have taken weeks or months to achieve the final outcome – and on that day, it’s a good end result. However, for me personally, I have always had a wonderful day if I can see that I have directly impacted someone’s life, where I’d helped them tackle a problem or situation.
We sit and eat as a family in my household, almost every day. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring our experiences together, laugh together and show gratitude.
I love to go for around a 100km solo cycle with my headphones on, and hopefully get lost somewhere deep in the countryside.
Don’t confuse competence with confidence. Do the groundwork before you back yourself.
Hugely. The best people understand that nothing can be by itself, alone. Building a strong co-dependent eco-system around you is the key to surviving and thriving, in nature, in life and in business.
My family are my drivers, the need to provide for them, and to help fund their aspirations. I am very fortunate to have a family that understand the dynamic of a role like mine, where it is demanding in terms of time, attention, and they offer me the flexibility I need to ensure I can do my job to the best of my ability.
No. Education is about understanding yourself, the world around you and how to engage with it positively. The moment is my classroom and I continue to be an avid and humble student.
