W INTERVIEW
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If I had to sum it up, leadership comes down to eight things:
delivering results, leading change, creating a compelling vision,
communicating with impact, fostering teamwork, developing others,
leading with authenticity, and agile thinking. These are the things
we focus on with the leaders we work with. When those are in place,
leaders get the best from their people.
Are clients' needs different in the UK compared to the US?
Surprisingly, no. If anything, it's the universality of what we do
which I find fascinating. Paul and I recently had a conversation
with a colleague in San Francisco, and we realized that our clients
in the US and the UK are all asking us to help to solve four main
challenges: achieving results, innovation, agility, and collaboration.
The interesting thing here is that it's not just a question of geography.
It's the commonality of all people. Many of the teams we work with
have members from different countries and different backgrounds.
In every situation, though, no matter what the background, our
goal is to provide a shared language that everyone can use to better
understand themselves and how they as a team can better function
as a whole.
The first step in doing this is to have each person complete a very
simple evaluator, from which a detailed and useful personal profile
is generated. It's fantastic when people read their profile for the
first time and ask "How do you know all this about me? It's really,
really spot-on!" It's those "a-ha!" moments of self-realisation that
we at Westminster Associates love, since our goal is to make what
we do memorable, fun, and easy-to-understand. We believe that
it's only when people better understanding themselves that they can
then perform at their highest level. What we do gives people the
foundation to easily adapt and connect with others, which in turn
leads to workplaces where innovation, creativity and productivity
thrive, and that’s something every team wants and needs, no matter
where they are.
What benefits do companies experience by investing in their
people and leaders?
It's an employee's market right now, so companies gain so much by
investing in their people. They get individuals who can build better
relationships, leaders who can lead more effectively, and teams that
can work more harmoniously and productively. There's an entire
generation coming into the workforce right now that places great
value on learning and growing in their job. Today's workforce is not
just interested in a pay cheque. That's a given. They're interested
in development and growth and advancement. They'll stay with an
employer who offers those, but in today's booming economy they're
more than willing to change jobs if that leads to the next step in their
career. Wise employers realize this, and know these things are key
drivers in motivating and maintaining their workforce.
What is your biggest personal achievement to date?
I learned French as an adult, just to see if I could do it. I'm not
saying I'm fluent, but I can hold my own in a conversation. I'd
describe my level of competence as somewhere between ordering a
cup of coffee in a café and being able to understand all the lyrics to
French hip-hop, not that either of those comes up in daily life very
frequently. Functional, but not fully fluent.
Westminster Associates is a headline sponsor at the Wirral Life
Awards (on 1st November 2018). Why did you decide to sponsor?
Paul Thompson, my business partner, grew up on the Wirral, and
has recently moved back to the Wirral after living in other parts of
England. It's a homecoming for him, and sponsoring the Wirral Life
Awards seemed like a perfect way to re-connect with the community
as the journey comes full circle.
Will you be attending the awards?
Oh yes, most definitely. It's going to be quite the evening! I do admit
to a bit of trepidation, though, as it's a black-tie event and I've been
Googling "How to tie a bowtie" recently more than I care to admit.
Do you have any exciting plans ahead?
Perhaps a trip to Australia this winter (when it's summer down
under). I've been there before, in gorgeous Sydney for most of the
trip, but I'd like to venture out and see more of the country and the
wilderness it has to offer. The most dangerous thing I did on the last
trip was a one-on-one photo op at the zoo with a very sleepy koala
named Darwin. Something a bit more adventuresome than that next
time, I think, but not quite at the level of one of those Australian
creatures that wants to sting you into hospitalisation or eat you for
lunch.
You wrote a fantastic article titled "A San Franciscan's View of the
Wirral" in the last issue which was a really interesting read. What
would you recommend as the "must" things to do if any of our
readers visit San Francisco?
Oh wow. So many options. San Francisco is a city where those
ubiquitous Hop On Hop Off buses really make sense because there's
so much to see in such a small geographic area. The obvious things
that come to mind are a ride on the cable cars and a visit to the
Painted Lady houses (also known as "Postcard Row"). I would also
say don't miss Alcatraz. It may sound touristy but it's actually quite
fascinating, not only because of its history but also because of its
location in the San Francisco Bay. (By the way, book your boat trip
from San Francisco to Alcatraz well in advance during the summer
months. It sells out quickly.) You can also do bike tours which start
at the beautiful Ferry Building in San Francisco, continue along the
waterfront, head over the Golden Gate bridge, and end in Sausalito
on the other side of the bay, from which you take a ferry back across
the bay to the Ferry Building where you started. It's a big loop of
gorgeous scenery. One of my personal "I would have never thought
of that" favourites is the Cable Car Museum, which is part museum
and part machine house that powers the cables which run under the
streets and pull the cable cars. The machinery that runs the cable
cars hasn't changed since it was first built in the 1870's.
Do you visit the Wirral often?
I do, especially over the past year or so. It's starting to feel like a
second home to me, albeit one where I get very lost very easily. I'm
learning, though.
Do you have any hobbies?
Does napping count?
What are your favourite Wirral restaurants?
Another question with so many possible answers. I'm a big fan of
The Refreshment Rooms, which is off the beaten path, so to speak,
as well as The Benty Farm Tea Rooms for afternoon tea, which
given their location is quite literally off the beaten path. Another
slightly hidden gem is the Sun Lounge Café which is located in the
Port Sunlight Garden Centre of all places. It's got indoor tables as
well as an open-air courtyard for fair weather days, plus the food
and locally-made desserts are delicious. It feels a bit like a well-kept
secret. And if I'm over in Liverpool in Bold Street I like to go to Leaf
for a light snack, or Mowgli Street Food where I'm making my way
through the menu one delicious meal at a time.
To find out more about Westminster Associates, visit
www.westminster-associates.com or email:
[email protected].
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