Subject line: Marketing Leaders Programme 2019, Marketing Society and Accenture Song. That is where it started……
I was working for AkzoNobel as Head of Customer Marketing; I had gone from leading a team of three to being responsible for setting the direction for, and motivating a team of twenty-four. I’m not going to lie; imposter syndrome was rife. I was back in a blue-chip environment, having left my last blue-chip several years before to broaden my understanding of business operations by working for an SME. The SME v the large American PLC was less rigid in its processes, was open to new thinking and provided me with exposure and the opportunity to experience broader aspects of business and general management. I hadn’t been restrained or pigeon holed as “just marketing”.
I had been in role less than a year when the email landed in my inbox. I had been selected to attend a prestigious leadership development course, the Marketing Leaders Programme (MLP) MLP 2023 The company were making a significant investment in me, the newbie. I was elated, proud and honoured.
The course was delivered over 3 residential modules over the course of a year. Anni Townend was one of the course facilitators/leaders. Petite in stature but colossus in presence with the ability to immediately engage; she instantly captivated and inspired me.
Side story, Anni also invited and encouraged me to lead a morning energiser on day two of Module One. I learnt in that moment to give more consideration to what I choose to share in “an unusual fact about me” icebreakers. Having disclosed that I had a yoga teaching qualification, I found myself outside my comfort zone leading a flexibility and breathing session with a group of elite marketers, who at this stage were still all strangers.
The course was inspiring and at the same time intrusive. It unapologetically encouraged inward reflection, self-diagnosis and personal evaluation in terms of how you “choose to show up”. The course offered considerations in how as leaders we may choose to behaviours/conduct ourselves. Case studies were delivered by key notorious speakers and there were copious exercises. It was one of the best courses I have ever attended and I highly recommend it to anyone aspiring to leadership. Check out The Marketing Society courses. https://bit.ly/3yiEEF8
Despite having sponsored my leadership course, and having sent me to Singapore for another form of leadership education, my role at AkzoNobel was made redundant after a mere 18 months in role. I was devastated. Between 2019 and 2022 my career took a number of turns. In late 2021 I decided to start Sparkz Marketing.
Three years after meeting Anni and completing the Leadership course we reconnected via LinkedIn. Anni posted that she was looking for interviewees for her podcast “Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend” https://bit.ly/3rutWYg . In a late night, sleep-ready moment of madness, I replied, “If you want to hear about how a single mum of two decided to take the plunge to start her own business, and the lessons she’s learnt throughout her life and career that have led her here, let me know”. Anni replied inviting me to be a guess on the podcast. I was honoured but also petrified. I am rubbish at job interviews; I verbally stumble, find thinking on the spot paralysing and usually have the most comprehensive and well-constructed answers 30 minutes after the event. How could I be an interviewee? Let alone on a podcast titled “Leaders in Conversation”, its very title made me feel queasy and inadequate.
“Growth comes when you push yourself outside your comfort zone”, a line we’ve all heard. A line we all roll our eyes at, a line I have spouted to many marketers over the years. A line I now needed to digest myself.
With Anni’s professionalism, calendar appointments started appearing in my diary with subject lines such as “podcast technical briefing”. OMG this was serious stuff, more internal panic. I am a professional with over 20 years industry experience, I have worked on big brands, managed huge budgets, presented to significant audience numbers, achieved outstanding results and after years of procrastination have finally set up my own business and put faith in myself, yet I found myself panicking about a podcast interview. In an attempt to steady my nerves and dampen my OCD, I asked Anni for a list of questions she “may” ask. She obliged and I set about structuring my answers. I forwarded Anni my script, and waited for the interview day to arrive.
Anni was charming and calming in her approach. We had a bit of chit chat before she detailed how she anticipated the conversation to flow, the questions she would ask based on the prepared responses I had provided and her research both into me as a professional individual and into how I was positioning Sparkz. I was nervous.
As the interview progressed, I relaxed, we found our flow. All the apprehension all the anxiety dispersed. We were truly “in conversation”, this was just a chat between professionals. Anni put me at ease and I found comfort in discomfort. In hindsight maybe I didn’t answer each question as directly as I could have, but I expressed myself openly and honestly.
Several weeks later Anni’s technician sent me a preview of the edited podcast. I listened to it, as did Anni. She was very complimentary about the episode, far more so that I had been when listening with my self-critical filter. Aren’t we all guilty of, being over critical and too judgemental of ourselves?
I don’t know how the podcast episode will be received, if anyone will learn or gain anything from listening to it, or if people are even prepared to give up 30 minutes of their precious time to listen to the full episode; but on reflection I am so glad I did it.
I’m privileged Anni invited me into conversation. I am honoured she was interested in my story. I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect, which I wouldn’t have done without the podcast. I am pleased I broke my comfort zone; I have obtained personal growth from the experience. I have gained insight into the process of podcasting and podcast production, and I reconnected with the fabulous Anni Townend. So many wins.
Thanks to Anni for hosting me. You can listen to the episode here https://bit.ly/3ClWacF