Top 10 take-outs from my year with TMA

Last year I was incredibly fortunate to be one of 30 selected for the inaugural Australian Marketing Academy (TMA) - a not-for-profit and voluntary organisation developing the next generation of leaders through mentoring, coaching and experiential learning.

I knew it was an incredible honour and something I REALLY wanted to do, but what I wasn't prepared for was how much it would change my life...

I encourage anyone in the Marketing, Media and Advertising industry to apply (applications open around Oct/Nov each year), however in the meantime I wanted to post my top 10 takeouts, which I try and apply every day.

1. Be authentically real. What's the use in pretending to be someone/something else? We need to bring our authentic selves to work. The more you show and share, the more trust you will receive.

2. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we put our energy into the things we're naturally passionate about and enjoy doing? It's all about making your 'spikes spikier'. Clifton StrengthsFinder is a great tool for defining your strengths.

3. Purpose. Understanding your purpose is fundamental. It forms your decisions, the journey's you take both in your personal and professional lives, and ultimately helps shape you to become the best version of yourself. Simon Sinek's 'Start With Why' TED Talk is a great starting point for defining your purpose.

4. Show appreciation. Never underestimate the power of appreciation. In the pursuit of our goals and dreams, we forget to appreciate where we are and those around us. Take the time to tell your colleagues, team, and loved ones how much you appreciate them. 

5. Culture is THE most important thing. If you focus on building the best culture for your employees, they will naturally be happy, highly motivated and in turn achieve great results. Read the CMO article from our first lecture with TMA.

6. Your career is like a pyramid. We can shoot our way straight to the top, or get out of our comfort zone, continue learning and build our skills so that we have more impact once we get there. 

7. Manage your energy, not your time. Understand your four energy systems - emotional, physical, mental, spiritual - and what depletes and re-energises you. Only then, can you start to manage your energy diary.

8. Giving back. Leadership is not defined by power, but by how many leaders you develop. It's better to give rather than receive... what are you doing to give back to your team or the wider community?

9. Truly listen. It's not just about listening, it's about your team feeling like they're being heard. "The brain with the problem is the brain with the solution" - seek out the answer rather than telling them.

10. Healthy body, healthy mind. Whether it's meditation, running, green shakes or protein-based diets; being the best version of yourself starts with looking after yourself. It also means being able to 'switch off' when needed.

I'd love to hear whether the above resonates with you and if you have any other leadership / business tips to share.