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

The worst advice I’ve been given is to take a job because of the company’s profile, rather than because it’s the right job for you. A job is as much about who you report into, the team you will work with, and what will truly be expected of you, as it is about a job title and a brand. I see so many people wanting to go to big-name businesses for the stature they bring, but they can actually be a poor fit for who they are, and what they will end up having to work on. 

2.       What’s your biggest ‘Cappuccino Career Cock-up’?

I took a role at a company that, externally, seemed an innovative, dynamic and desirable place to work.  It was a brand with an incredible stature amongst consumers and I had projected that the experience would be the same for employees.  I couldn’t have been more wrong. The culture was extremely corporate, and ingenuity, or even an opinion, was frowned upon. Toxic behaviours were tolerated, and misogyny came top-down.  Everything that had made me successful in previous roles was the opposite of what they wanted from me, and I started to doubt myself as a result. It was a relief to escape it, and it took a long time to rebuild my confidence following the experience.

 What were your lessons from that? 

I learned to not be blinded by the brand. I also learned that if you are starting to feel like you don’t belong, you really don’t! And it’s not you, it’s them. I know now what being at a low career point means for my mental health and how to avoid that before it happens.  I now put my physical and mental wellness at a higher priority in terms of what it means to work successfully.

4.       What is the importance of making mistakes when paving your career path?

Making mistakes and knowing I can rise back from them has given me the fortitude to start my own business. I know that if it doesn’t work out, it won’t be the end of the world, as I have reinvented myself before and I can do it again. This mindset has allowed me to separate myself as a person from myself in my work, and in a healthier way. It also gives me the confidence to think bigger for my business, taking a long-term approach to our strategy and manifesting our success. 

5.       Summary: as a leader, what advice would you ABSOLUTELY NOT give anyone now?

To absolutely not stick with a job that’s not working for you. Life is too short, and you are too important to waste time with the wrong people or the wrong company. I am confident there is a place for everyone to have a successful career and if you’re in a place that is not serving you, don’t hesitate to look for what’s next.