Day one on the job

Day one in any new job is a daunting prospect – even when, as in my case, you’ve been with the same firm for almost your entire career. But as scary as that first day can feel, it’s also an opportunity to take stock of what you’ve learned along the way, what you want to achieve in your new role and how you are going to start trying to make those great things happen.

Today is my first day as the Global Chairman of KPMG International. It is a huge honor – and it’s also an extraordinary responsibility, supporting clients and 190,000 professionals across more than 150 countries.

When I joined KPMG as a trainee in Vancouver straight out of university, I probably would have put the odds for becoming global chairman around the same as me being selected for the Canadian Olympic Ice Hockey team (and by the way, sadly, the latter never did happen!).

Initially I wasn’t looking for a long-term career with the firm. I’d persuaded my dad (against his better judgment) that I was better suited to a career in accountancy than following the well-trodden family path to medical school. My goal back then was to get the best professional training and grounding in business so that I could head out to spend my working life in industry. And after qualifying and spending a couple of years with KPMG’s Canadian firm, I did just that. But the connection was deeper than I realized. One of my mentors stayed in touch even when I’d left, and whenever I needed advice he was available. After a few years in industry I was at another career cross-roads and he helped me think through my options and come back to the firm and build my career here.

As I look back, I know that every step forward was made possible by an inspirational leader. Somebody who lived, not only talked about values. Somebody who went out of their way to get to know me and my family, what made me tick and what drove me. But those mentors were also unfailingly honest about my limitations and where I needed to develop.  

Those leaders trusted me with the responsibility to take on bigger challenges than I ever thought I was capable of, and helped me if I ever stumbled or struggled. And they showed me the power of being part of some truly exceptional teams.

I can trace virtually everything I now try to do as a leader right back to those managers and partners who helped me on the first rungs of the ladder. Every time I meet a new recruit, talk with some new graduates, or talk with somebody I’m mentoring who wants some career advice I think about my mentors and what they said and did in those same situations. And I have in the back of my mind the thought that I might be talking to somebody who, with the right backing and encouragement, could go on to be a future global leader.

Day one in a new job, even when you’ve been with the same firm for almost 30 years, still seems daunting. But if I can come anywhere close to matching my mentors, then I won’t go too far off track. I’m up for the challenge.