This Month
Adam Powick failed to make partner twice. Now he runs Deloitte
The chief executive says when people fail to get a promotion, they are often told they are doing a good job and should continue along the same path. He reckons that advice is “BS”.
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
How the CEO of Oroton learnt to make the right career choices
Earlier in her career, Oroton CEO Jenny Child was frustrated at McKinsey and scored a job offer elsewhere. But a mentor warned her that the grass would not necessarily be greener. Child stayed at McKinsey, was made partner, moved to Australia and now runs a luxury retailer.
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
April
This CEO didn’t go to uni and never had a career plan
Australia Post chief Paul Graham left school and tried out myriad manual jobs. Now he is responsible for 63,000 employees.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
What happens when Rio Tinto’s Australian CEO gets cranky
Kellie Parker, Rio Tinto’s Australian boss, discusses what happens when she gets tired, why she likes puzzles and why she continually tracks her emotions.
- Ciara Seccombe and Lap Phan
Why Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo landed on the career fast track
The double jolt of his mother being diagnosed with cancer and his father dying at an early age put Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo on the career fast track to everything.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
The advice that helped land HESTA CEO Debby Blakey the top job
HESTA chief Debby Blakey talks about how maths helps her to make decisions, how a key piece of advice from a mentor helped her land the top job, and why she likes 42-minute meetings.
- Updated
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
March
Why this CEO is happy to admit he is ‘not particularly smart’
Intrepid Travel chief James Thornton says he did “OK” at school and isn’t that smart. But he was CEO by the age of 35.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
How this CEO cuts hour-long meetings to just five minutes
Justin Graham of advertising firm M&C Saatchi also says he wants to compete on Survivor, but suspects he might be thrown off the reality TV show early.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
Google’s Australian boss reveals her pet hate in the office
Ask Mel Silva, managing director of Google in Australia, what she doesn’t like at work and she doesn’t hold back.
- Cindy Yin and Sally Patten
What the Carlton Football Club CEO learnt about ambition
Brian Cook says he became a good leader when he realised leadership wasn’t all about him.
- Cindy Yin and Sally Patten
What one of Australia’s top bankers thinks about the pay gap
Jarden co-chief executive Sarah Rennie discusses taking the plunge on a start-up and why investment banking is becoming more female-friendly.
- Sally Patten
February
The best advice this boss was given: don’t let somebody else manage your career
Having a clear strategy around how you manage yourself, both in business and outside, is important, says Blackmores CEO Alastair Symington
- Cindy Yin and Sally Patten
This CEO chose a job because it sounded fun. Now he runs a $12b company
Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson was offered two graduate jobs. His father recommended he opt for the media company role but Wilson was already hooked on gaming.
- Sally Patten
January
The best piece of advice the CEO of this $1.5b company was given
Drew O’Malley, chief executive of Collins Foods, operator of KFC fast food outlets, answers our CEO Q&A.
- Sally Patten
The TV shows these CEOs couldn’t stop streaming in 2023
The Bear, Beckham, Beef and a gay coming of age series were among business leaders’ favourite streaming shows of 2023.
- Sally Patten and Euan Black
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Cybersecurity is the No.1 risk not getting the attention it deserves
Australia’s top CEOs say the risk of cyberattacks and the healthcare demands of an ageing population are being ignored or underplayed.
- James Thomson and Anthony Macdonald
December 2023
Boral adds $2b in value as Kerry Stokes finds right CEO
Vik Bansal has given local managers more decision-making powers and greater accountability for delivering profits and cost-cutting.
- Simon Evans
How Sam Hupert turned Pro Medicus into an understated giant
With a team of just 115 people and an understated approach to business, the healthtech co-founder has created an Australian success story.
- James Thomson
Lynas CEO snatches victory from the jaws of defeat
Never-say-die Lynas Rare Earths chief executive Amanda Lacaze says doing right is the best defence when opponents seek to cause mischief.
- Brad Thompson
How the Y2K bug reset Opera House CEO Louise Herron’s career
When the anticipated global computing meltdown did not happen on January 1, 2000, the former lawyer couldn’t help thinking her career was “really stupid”
- Sally Patten