90 Second Interview with Paul Youens
Elinor Lara, Senior Consultant at tml Partners, sat down with Paul Youens, formerly VP of Corporate Communications & Marketing at the engineering group SNC-Lavalin, to get his thoughts on career development, influential leadership and marketing and communications trends producing opportunities and challenges for business leaders.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was to look beyond my primary field of Communications. Although that’s where my career largely unfolded, this advice pushed me to broaden my contributions in workshops and day-to-day leadership interactions and bring more of the 360 scope that my skills and roots in Management lend. It reminded me of my roots in Management Science and encouraged me to offer constructive input on operational matters and across various functions. This shift made me more engaged in the business and significantly increased my value to other leaders.
Who is your business hero and why?
I’ve always admired the collective representation of small-cap leaders within the tech, renewables and energy sectors. These leaders, often in spaces like AiM, embody a unique ethos—they operate without the safety net of big c-suite development programs or the allure of large exit packages. Their drive stems from a genuine passion for technology and sustainable energy, creating a contagious excitement among all involved in their projects, rather than being driven by LTIPs or ego.
While these small-cap leaders inspire me, I also remember a speech by Lord Browne during his tenure leading BP. He possessed a remarkable understanding of the broader environmental context within which the energy industry operates. Reflecting on his journey, it’s fascinating to observe the stark contrast in media coverage from his departure from BP to the present day, where there’s acknowledgement and support for his sexual orientation alongside recognition of the challenges he likely faced throughout his 40-year career.
What has had the most influential impact on your leadership skills and why?
Building trust. It’s essential for your development and ability to perform leadership roles. t’s not just about being trusted yourself, but also fostering trust among your team and colleagues. Mentorship plays a pivotal role here, aiding others in constructing their own trust frameworks alongside developing technical skills.
All my international opportunities sprouted from trust. Entering a new environment where you lack complete knowledge or all the answers showcases someone’s trust in your ability to deliver despite uncertainties—a true testament to the power of trust in leadership.
What future trends do you think marketing and communications will see in your sector over the next five years?
The key focus will shift towards establishing genuine two-way interaction rather than solely broadcasting messages. There’s a growing skepticism within the world, rooted in valid concerns across various areas.
The future of marcomms lies in creating platforms that foster a deeper understanding of the roles organisations play in our lives. This involves tackling pressing issues such as achieving net zero, fostering inclusion, and envisioning the future of civilisation.
There’s a prevalent narrative that companies are inherently negative, politicians are indifferent, and the public sector falls short. Yet, organisations, fundamentally driven by people, typically have positive intent toward society. Marcomms will play a pivotal role in reshaping this narrative, highlighting the positive impact organisations can have,
Are there any key takeaways from COVID-19 that are still relevant to you?
The pandemic brought forth several significant themes like global collaboration and the rapid shift to remote work, emphasising the importance of trust in this transition. However, the most impactful takeaway for me has been the shift towards intentional productivity.
It’s about stopping to consider what you truly aim to achieve each work week. In the office, it’s about maximising connections with people and ensuring meetings have a clear purpose. When working remotely, it’s about optimising time for strategic planning and maintaining an efficient rhythm of action-oriented calls on platforms like Teams.
Having started my career in the late ’90s, moving away from the culture of presenteeism and endless meetings without clear agendas has been a substantial benefit. This shift has encouraged a more purpose-driven approach to work, emphasising quality over quantity in terms of time spent and fostering more meaningful productivity.
If you could go back 10 years, what career advice would you give yourself?
Prioritise, and be honest about what you’re not going to do or are able to achieve.
Who are tml Partners?
tml Partners are Marketing and Corporate Affairs recruitment specialists with access to a global network of leaders.
Our Corporate Affairs team work across senior communications roles on a permanent or interim basis.
To learn how tml Partners can help you, get in touch with Elinor Lara:
