Career Advice
UK’s #1 CEO Richard Flint: “Be Comfortable With Who You Are (and Aren’t)”
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 20 Jun 2018
On 20th June, Glassdoor announced the UK’s Top 50 CEOs UK for 2018. So, we caught up with the #1 rated CEO, Sky Betting & Gamings’ Richard Flint, to discuss exactly what qualities are needed to be a top UK boss, the attributes he looks for when interviewing, and, he reveals his best go-to productivity hack.
Glassdoor: What qualities do you think a leader needs to have?
Richard Flint: First and foremost I think the most important quality of a leader is to know yourself and be comfortable with who you are (and aren’t). This allows you to build a team that makes the most of your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you resilience if things aren’t going so well. It also helps you find your own style and approach that may be quite different from other leaders.
Glassdoor: What attributes do you look for in today’s top talent?
Richard Flint: There are lots of different attributes that build a team, so it does depend on the context. But always I look for someone that has pride and high standards in their work, and who can discuss how to improve without claiming perfection or being defensive.
Glassdoor: What questions do you love to ask candidates or what aspects do you like to dig into?
Richard Flint: I love to ask candidates about when they have struggled with difficult work relationships. I am looking for signs of empathy with those they are having difficulties with, and self awareness around the part they play in the relationship.
Glassdoor: Interviewing with a CEO can be intimidating. Do you try to put candidates at ease in any particular way?
Richard Flint: I always try to find an area of common ground with a person - eg an interest or place. Then you can start a conversation that is more about them as a person than particular work related skills.
Glassdoor: Retention is hugely important these days. How do you lead your teams to retain top talent?
Richard Flint: It’s always important to know what your colleagues state of mind and motivations are, and to have a genuine personal relationship with them.
Glassdoor: When you look back over your past year as CEO, can you share how you have navigated a leadership mistake or challenge? Was there a time when you didn’t perform like you thought you should have, and how did you recover?
Richard Flint: I have done a number of radio interviews that I have felt could have been better. As a leader it is important (and sometimes difficult) to find people who will give you honest feedback and listen to them. And practice.
Glassdoor: What is one book that you think everyone should read?
Richard Flint: I know it’s a business book (sorry) but I often recommend ‘Good to Great’. It contains some surprises on what makes good leaders and companies.
Glassdoor: What is your go-to productivity hack?
Richard Flint: Go for a bike ride and clear your head to focus on what’s important.
Glassdoor: What is your #1 job search tip? What is your advice for searching for a job? How should job seekers be thinking about their hunt, given today’s competitive job market?
Richard Flint: Find a relevant person in your target company and invite them for a coffee to learn about what the culture is like and what the company is looking for. Social media makes it much easier to do this now.
Glassdoor: What scares you?
Richard Flint: The thing that scares me more than anything is when complacency creeps in to an organisation or person (including myself) and/or standards start to drop. I think it can then be really hard to get things back on track.
Glassdoor: What energises you?
Richard Flint: I am energised by the buzz in our office, and by talking to people with ideas and energy.
Does Richard sound like someone you’d like to work for? Apply for jobs at Sky Betting & Gaming.
Glassdoor Team
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Tags:2018Top CEOs
