Contributed by Colin Walsh
Colin Walsh, former CEO of American Express UK, dropped by and shared three transformative experience from his professional career, which included a key personnel decision and leveraging his personal network to create a new product.
In a "Letter to Self", Colin provides us with valuable takeaways:
Dear Younger Colin,
This is your future self, and I am writing to offer you a little career advice.
First, don’t stress out. Things are going to work out well for you professionally – you will turn out to be an authentic leader who builds a strong track record for achieving results.
Second, don't compromise on talent. Pick the best people and trust them to deliver.
Third, be bold and don’t be afraid to take risks. Have a clear point of view and articulate it but remember to listen and remain open to the views of others.
Fourth, never lose sight of the customer and the market you are competing in. Customer behavior, technology and regulation are all going to change quickly over the next couple of decades. Stay close to your customers and customer facing staff, actively engage in your industry, read a lot, and always stay on top of your game.
Lastly, make sure you are having fun and keeping a balanced perspective! Life’s too short not to enjoy the journey.
Best,
Colin
Watch the video below and learn more from Colin's transformative career experiences: