How DID I Do that? (Part 2)

Framing my career

I look at my career as being a jigsaw puzzle that has many pieces to it. Some pieces are more significant than others – working for the Royal Sun Alliance for 20 years forms a big part of the picture, whereas being the MD of Elite Repair Services for 9 months doesn’t really feature. Whilst some of my career has obviously been out of necessity in paid employment equally the volunteering work I have done, especially in sport, has had a significant influence.

What the jigsaw is finally going to look like has really begun to take shape now as most of my 40+ year career is behind me. But it’s not over till it’s over and I have unfinished business with CIMSPA, SwitchThePlay and Isle of Man Sport Aid to complete for instance, as well as my voluntary work with Tackle London.

In this second episode of the “How Did You Do That?” podcast I reflect that the all-important corner pieces of my jigsaw career were my values. Admittedly I haven’t always been fully aware of what those values were or are, but they have still driven me and formed an integral part of my need to have a purpose.

In episode 1 I spoke about when I became the secretary of the SE region of the British Triathlon Federation in 2004 because it ‘felt right.’ I took on the role with no relevant experience to fall back on and although I didn’t know it at the time, it was a ‘gamechanger.’ But I resigned 18 months later from my position of then Chair of the regional committee, having completed the task that the CEO Norman Brooks had set for me, because what I saw about the National Governing Body (NGB) at the time ‘felt wrong’. I know now that it was poor governance, and it did lead to a complete organisational restructure that led to the formation of the British Triathlon Federation, where a chance (serendipitous?) meeting with Norman in 2007 led me to become the Major Events Director. One of my values has always been integrity and that was what drove my resignation decision at the time.

Similarly when I was the CEO of the British Athletes Commission (2012-2017) my initial impression was that the athletes were being treated as commodities – essential parts of the high-performance operation that won Olympic and Paralympic medals because their success generated funding for the ‘System.’ There were plenty of athletes in Great Britain on the Talent Pathway thanks to the National Lottery and these individuals all had one thing in common which was what ‘commoditised’ them; they were brilliant at their chosen sport.

Providing advice, support, and guidance to individual members when they needed help made me recognise the advantages I have experienced in life. When supporting BAC members who faced various forms of societal bias or adversity, I gained new perspectives, and the world looked a different place as I stood in their shoes and walked around. I felt a responsibility, in my role as CEO, to represent their interests and advocate for them. My value of equality led me to challenge the System and work toward meaningful change on their behalf.

I talk about the jigsaw of my career in Part 2 of my conversation and much more. A link can be found here.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HBeN0eUelC8WFLB2nnzd7

If you missed Part 1 that can be found here.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2avsLYs75Bk4cuL1XxeylV

But the How Did You do That podcast is available wherever you get your pods.