Take 5 with Pioneera is a series of micro interviews with key business leaders on wellness, leadership, productivity and workplace culture.
This week we’re taking 5 with Andrew Sully, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Talenza.
Andrew is an experienced executive recruiter and business leader. Over the last 10+ years, he has worked across multiple industries including: Technology, Digital, Oil and Gas, Banking, Insurance, Telco, Construction, Engineering and Mining, to name a few.
In 2017, Andrew co-founded Talenza, a full-service technology recruitment agency with extensive experience across both permanent and contract recruitment services across a broad range of industry sectors.
Welcome, Andrew!
1) What does your workday routine look like?
Mental! - I wake up and start working as soon as my phone is off aeroplane mode. Calls, emails, LinkedIn, WhatsApp just keep coming all day until I can switch off.
I try to be disciplined, but it’s my business. I am typically fully at work from 8.30am (since COVID) and try to stop around 5.30pm, but then between dinners and bath times I am still receiving calls and have emails to respond to.
2) How do you stay focused and maintain a positive mindset when things get crazy busy?
I work out (weights) or ride my road bike. I'm part of a cycling club.
Other than that, it’s about setting goals and daily obtainable goals. It doesn’t always need to be a day of taking down a lion. You need to practice each day, working towards the big kill.
So, being self-aware and understanding you can’t win the big game every day, but what you are doing each day is working towards the big-game win, and being happy with the progress.
Plus, I love helping people. So I do one thing a day to help others, and then be an awesome dad, read a book to the kids, cook dinner, go for a walk etc.
3) What are your three must-haves for a healthy work-life integration?
Purpose, Autonomy and Flexibility
I don’t believe in fixed hours/days. I believe that people need a purpose, and when that purpose is correct, then that is what motivates and drives you. What you need then is autonomy and flexibility to achieve your "work purpose" and balance the rest around that.
People also need a purpose outside of work. I like to have three purposes - Work, Personal and Family.
4) What’s your top tip for creating a thriving workplace culture?
See my answer to question 3 - Purpose, Autonomy and Flexibility
5) How do you bounce back when things don’t go as planned?
Self-awareness and an understanding that it’s not always about winning. Sh*t happens, you can’t win every time, and then it’s about reflecting on what didn’t happen or what you could have done better and then just move on.
It’s happened, you can’t change it, just move on and live with it. And bottom line… never get to the end and think I could have done more or I should have done that. Don’t die with regrets, so leave it all on the pitch and know that you gave it your all and there was nothing else you could have done...REPEAT!!
This conversation was brought to you by Pioneera.
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