This I know...

There is no greater motivation than passion. Fancy titles and good salaries will come and go, but passion is the driving factor for you to create excellent results and move forward. When you manage to combine your work with your passion you will not only succeed, but to do it with a smile on your face.

First, establishing a strong vision and big ambition is not enough. The secret to success is in knowing how to create a good action plan. Some leaders are better at establishing plans than others, and they have a habit of leaving a legacy of results. Align yourself with these leaders. Turning big dreams into reality is incredibly rewarding. Second, develop the skill to spot grit in the talent pool. Individuals with passion and the ability to persevere can often mean the difference between success and failure.

Work should be fun! We spend so much of our time at work, travelling to work, thinking about work that to not enjoy it seems to me to be a cardinal sin. During our careers we all go through difficult phases at work, which are not fun, but we learn more about ourselves from adversity than we do from success, that when the better times come we appreciate them more. Then it's fun!

Failure is simply deferred success. I came fourth in an event I went on to win four years later, but deciding when to carry on and when to step away is also an art. I’ve met many successful leaders and athletes, but few know when it is time to step away and try something new. Goals and dreams are important but thinking ahead and planning your next steps or your plan A, B, or C are just as important. Life constantly changes and many things are not within your control, so taking a relaxed and realistic approach is essential, but not giving up at the same time. And patience. Lots of patience!

Nothing substantial or lasting can be achieved on your own. Zig Zigler wrote a long time ago that ''Businesses do not build Teams, instead Teams build Businesses''. As a sportswoman, I knew this instinctively. Like any athlete, surround yourself with great teams: teammates, coaches, trainers, medics and so on. Having been focused on personal achievement through years of education, I had to learn/ relearn this in the workplace. In addition, at some point, we all reach our level of incompetence. Steve Jobs is often quoted reminding his teams ‘to recruit smarter people, not to tell them what to do, but to get them to tell us what to do’…Invest in building great teams, as a leader, if you work alone you cannot go very far or build very much. Upskill that team over time to create lasting success.

“Remaining true to myself has always been my cornerstone principle. As professionals, our integrity and reputation shape our identity, paving the way for genuine connections founded on shared values and beliefs. To my younger-self, and to navigating challenges, remember: despite the twists and turns, staying authentic brings immeasurable peace of mind and lasting fulfillment.”

"In my 25 years of experience in global brand building and business management, I have uncovered the significance of defining a vision, making decisive choices and taking calculated risks to propel success. By doing so, with passion and empathy, you can unite teams and partners, fostering a creative environment that unleashes achievement and innovation.”

We are all necessary to a successful business. With over 25 years in leading commercial roles globally, no matter the market, business or functional level, I have seen that people want ownership and the ability to make decisions in their roles. I have therefore looked to build a culture where the team(s) can feel empowered and trusted to make the decisions and built an atmosphere where successes and failures can both be celebrated and accepted.”

"No one ever succeeds at everything, but successful people learn from their failures.”

"I wish I had learnt sooner that starting a question with 'Why' creates a defensive response and the use of ‘What, How, When, Where or Which’ supports constructive dialogue."

"We're culturally conditioned to see 'Leadership' as a force of extroversion, but in my experience, the strongest leaders possess a quiet power, blending listening and reflection with confident action to move everyone forward. You don't need a TEDX platform, 'business influencer' status or powerful network to galvanise your team, to stabilise a share price or to launch a new product to market - you need focus, consistency and a few flashes of lateral thinking."

"Always be open to people's opinions, we always have something to learn no matter how many years under our belt. When we stop learning is when we stop growing.”

"Trust is one of the most powerful values. It fuels relationships which in turn drive business and growth - both commercially and personally.Trusting yourself and your colleagues to deliver, problem solve and support each other makes work both productive and enjoyable. Human interaction and community is as important at work as it is throughout our lives."

“After a 25-year career with Unilever and in many leadership roles, what I have learnt is that relationships and building positive meaningful relationships is ‘gold dust’ in being able to get anything done. The most powerful way of building truly meaningful relationships is through being vulnerable as a leader, but be vulnerable with skill. In addition, I have learnt that story telling is the most powerful driver of behaviour change and as leaders we should tell more stories, vs rely on rationale and data.”

“After thirty years in the business world working with and coaching some exceptional people, I've come to a significant realisation: imposter syndrome isn't unusual; it's a common experience for many during their career journey. If you're invited to take on a particular role or space, chances are, you belong there. The best advice I've received stresses the importance of not letting tasks you dislike define you to others, as it wastes your innate talents. If I could offer guidance to my younger self, I'd encourage her to leave companies whose values don't align with hers promptly; they're not worth her time, and to remember, to put a financial value on your own time, this is crucial – as it's the most important asset we have.”

“Embrace the present moment fully, recognising its potential and opportunities. Equally important is the ability to release the past, understanding that dwelling on past mistakes or successes can hinder growth. Instead, it's crucial to trust in the future, knowing that change and progress are inevitable, new experiences are how we grow, innovate and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Sometimes, this necessitates letting go of familiar routines, beliefs, or roles to make space for new possibilities to flourish.”

“Follow your passion. Find what makes you happiest and give it all you’ve got, because there is no magic wand. It’s all about hard work, resilience and surrounding yourself with great people. Motivation comes from within, so you’ve got to love what you do.”

“Nobody comes to work to do a bad job - leadership is about helping them to do a good one!”

“To my younger self, fuel your curiosity with questions, let your natural inquisitive nature guide you - everyone has a story to share. Don't let your perceptions of time constrained leaders hinder your conversations, network actively and confidently. Every conversation is a stepping stone to unlock future possibilities. Leaders appreciate genuine interest and engagement. Explore things that pique your interest, the most unconventional path might lead to the most interesting of opportunities. Remember, "everything is possible" isn't just a hopeful statement; it's a powerful reminder to seize opportunities with an open mind. So, embrace your curiosity, actively connect with others; the most fulfilling adventure is the one you create for yourself.”