In our series of 90 second interviews with marketing leaders we uncover career highlights alongside tips and learnings from some of the industry’s most successful marketers. This interview is with Paula Murphy, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Wood Plc.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
A leader’s job is support and enablement. Your role as a leader is to create the environment where everyone can perform their roles to the best of their ability. Or as Lao Tzu puts, “to lead people, walk among them, when the best leader’s work is done, the people will say they did it themselves.” That has always been the bedrock of my leadership style, I am 100% there for your but the task is your own and you will drive it.
What future opportunities do you think marketing and communications will create over the next five years?
It’s a very exciting time for our profession, not only with the rise in data, new technologies, social media, social listening, but in the current zeitgeist overall. The world’s relationship between society and business is changing rapidly and it is more important for organisations to demonstrate they are purpose led than ever. There is a significant shift right now on how brands are positioning in the market, around purpose and its impact on buyer behaviour and I find that fascinating. Marcomms teams but be hand in glove with corporate strategy on how best to position for the shifting demands and shifting priorities of its stakeholders.
What is your most trusted news source?
I never rely on one news source alone; I simply can’t afford to in such a diverse and global role. I find Daily Briefing publications such as Quartz exceptionally useful and Finimize is fantastic for the need to know financial and capital market news in a clear and simple form.
What has had the most influential impact on your leadership career and why?
My team and the teams I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. I have learned more from the exceptional colleagues in my department than from any other source.
What is your biggest takeaway from covid19?
This has been an exceptionally challenging time for so many of us. Not only the tragic loss of life, the disconnection between people, but the significant economic impact and the result that has had on people’s jobs and livelihoods. It’s a time when true character shines through and l never forget the humanity shown by so many at this time. The way people have been pulling together to support and celebrate each other has been phenomenal. Whatever happens in the future I think we can look back on this time and have some things to be proud of, and in a way, things that have brought us closer together.
How are you planning for 2021 and beyond?
In 100% alignment to our corporate strategy, as always and with a good bit of scenario planning thrown in. We are on a journey right now as an organisation repositioning our brand across energy and the built environment, so much of my focus is on achieving that shift, and from professional services to integrated propositions. I am interested in channel evolution too – particularly in relation to B2B.
What career advice would you now give to yourself 10 years ago?
Relax into your leadership a bit more and cut yourself some slack occasionally. Nobody is perfect, share a little of that grace you give to others to yourself.
What’s the toughest interview question you’ve ever asked or been asked?
A long time ago, a candidate once asked me ‘how would your team describe you’. I found it difficult to give a collective answer thinking each of each of them individually. I asked and the consensus was ‘fun, firm but fair’ in that order, which I quite liked. I have since built in more 360s. Always an opportunity to learn.
Who is your business hero and why?
I have had been lucky enough to work with some exceptional leaders in my time and meet some truly inspirational leaders from politics, government, sport, and across all industries. There are many people I admire, and I would be hard pressed to select. Overall, it is leaders who take on a collective responsibility, over and above interests of the organisation. Those who understand the role they play in industry, in education and in the sector and in society as a whole and who take that responsibility seriously. People like Satya Nadella.
