Inside The Edge
About
The Executive Chair
The one question you always want to ask a successful person in a senior leadership role is “How did you get there?” In developing your own career, you learn more from hearing what worked – and didn’t work – from senior leaders and hearing their wisdom than from any other source.
We are embarking on a series of interviews with leaders who exemplify success for us. In their words are insights that can give you direction for moving your own career forward.
To read a summary, written by Michael DeVenney, of the past 12 interviews this year - click here.
| Ian Smith - To Learn is to Listen |
Bluteau DeVenney and Company (BDCO): What did you do to move to a leadership role?Ian Smith (IS) In some cases, people can say that they had leadership thrust upon them, and they either rose to the occasion or did not. In my case, it was the path I chose. I consciously chose to seek and accept responsibility for myself and others. I chose to lead through inspiration, influence, encouragement and example to accomplish something worthwhile for myself, my family, my coworkers and my community. Some people define that as "servant-leadership". I chose to create and follow my own core principles of leadership which I aspire to "consistently" live by and instill in others. These core principals are: integrity, empowerment, empathy and fierce resolve. (BDCO): What is one thing that developing professionals need to do more of?(IS): I don't think there is any one thing. There are so many things that we all need to do more of both at work and at home, but I think the most important thing to focus on is listening so that you can learn. You are never going to learn if you can't listen. We have all experienced those conversations, either in a group or one on one, when you are speaking to someone and they are not listening. Rather than listening, they are thinking of the next point they would like to make when it is their turn to speak. It is important to always be open and receptive and really listen to the ideas and comments of others, because it is the only way you are going to learn. (BDCO): What about doing less of?(IS): Playing politics. It is the single most destructive behavior in any organization. (BDCO): What experience helped you the most in your career and why?My working class upbringing and my foundational experiences in the military, both as a soldier in the ranks and as an officer, helped me to form my own core principles of leadership. (BDCO): What was the greatest challenge moving your career forward?(IS): Making choices that work equally well for career enhancement and a happy family life. My wife Nancy and I are a team and I have always made career choices based on what we felt would be a great move for our family, as well as my career. (BDCO): What is the greatest strength of your approach to leadership?(IS): A focus on empowerment and influencing others to "lead from wherever they stand". I believe that wherever you are in an organization, at whatever level, you can lead. Leading is seeking to accept responsibility for yourself and for others, and taking decisive action. (BDCO): What is the greatest benefit to you in attaining a senior leadership role?(IS): There are two benefits for me. One is the personal satisfaction that comes from seeing your organization succeed and knowing that your efforts and contribution as leader have made a difference. The second benefit is access. The role and title give you the opportunity to meet and speak with people who otherwise might not have been able to find the time, and from these people you can learn a great deal. (BDCO): What is the next achievement you want in your leadership career?(IS): Happiness and good health for my family, sustainable success for Clearwater, its employees, its shareholders, its customers and the communities we serve. (BDCO): What is the biggest challenge you face in achieveing results in your work?(IS): Successfully leading through influence and empowerment. Leaders achieve very little themselves. It is the ability to lead through influence and by empowering others to lead that can make an organization's or individual's success more sustainable. (BDCO): What is your greatest opportunity/goal for providing value for your organization?(IS): I feel that I have four main responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer:
(BDCO): What added support or capability would help you most in delivering on your goals?(IS): Time. It's the one resource we can never have enough of and will never be completely certain when it has run out.
Think about where you are now in your career and what you can take from Ian's observations. We would love to hear your comments about what are your key takeaways from our conversation with Ian. Tell us your progress – we want you to succeed. ______________________________________________________________
Established in 1976, Clearwater is a leader in the global seafood industry recognized for their premium quality and commitment to sustainability. Clearwater's focus has always been to serve customers premium quality shellfish and seafood products second to none. You can find out more about Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership at www.clearwater.ca. |
Ian is my son and I am very proud of him and his accomplishments.