ONE: In your career, what’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given, and why?

“Be a good girl, work hard and you will succeed”.This advice was given to me long before I started my career, but was so ingrained in my psyche, that it took many many years of working to realise that it was wrong. Whilst it worked well for me at school in the 1980/90s, it has failed me throughout my career. Yes, of course we have to work hard, but if no-one knows what you’re doing and you don’t put your head up from your desk to look around you, you miss out on a world of opportunity.

TWO: What’s your biggest ‘Cappuccino Career Cock-up’?

Apart from buying an ad for Pizza Hut during ITV’s World in Action special on obesity (no brand safety then), it was probably a couple of years later when I decided that I didn’t want to be a TV buyer anymore but was too afraid to tell my employers that. I naively thought that if I said I wasn’t happy they’d block any progression anywhere in the company, So I spent two years looking for a job as a media planner in other agencies. When I handed my notice in, I was called in to see the incredible Tess Alps who asked why I was leaving, and after explaining, she wished me luck but said I should have just asked.

THREE: What were your lessons from that? (referencing to Q2)

I was working at a brilliant agency (PHD) that was probably the best place to learn planning but I was too afraid to ask for what I wanted because of the stories I’d told myself. It’s taken a long time but I’ve learnt to ask for what I want at work. Of course, the “asks” comes with fear. Yet, at the end of the day, if you’re the one that’s not asking you’re the one that’s saying no and the person who has the power to change that is you. 

FOUR: What is the importance of making mistakes when paving your career path?

I think the most important thing is not to be afraid of making mistakes. Living in fear of what can go wrong, can paralyse us at work and at home. So much indecision and hesitation can cause business opportunities to be missed and great careers to be halted. The worst that can happen is a mistake.

SUMMARY: as a leader, what advice would you ABSOLUTELY NOT give anyone now?                                                                                                                              

“Don’t ever question my decisions, I know best.” Whatever someone’s seniority or years of experience, we should always listen. Of course, as leaders, we’re paid to make decisions, however, if someone reasonably questions them, we should pause and listen.

Contact aoife@madfestlondon.com if you would like to share an opinion with the community. You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER HERE