Side Mirror: B.I.G. Iain and the Russian Dolls - Part 1

Back in 2006, I accepted a role within BMW Group that required moving my family from the UK to Singapore. My wife and I have two children who at the time, were aged 10 and 6.

In the weeks leading up to our move, I often found myself explaining the decision to colleagues: I'd say, “I felt I needed to get out of my comfort zone.”

Fast forward to early 2007, and there I was in my new office in Singapore, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, trying to figure out how things worked—and feeling very uncomfortable. I remember thinking, “This is what they mean by a comfort zone!”

Around the same time, I was reminded of something I’d learned on a management training program in South Africa: “Your responsibility as a manager is to produce results and grow the people.”

In Episode 197, I shared why growing people matters so much. Today, I want to build on that by introducing a metaphor for growth—one that has shaped my thinking ever since. And next week, I’ll explore how we can use this metaphor to grow ourselves and those we lead and care about.

About Andy

I'm an experienced business leader and a passionate developer of people in the automotive finance industry, internationally.

During over twenty five years, I have played a key role in developing businesses including Alphabet UK, BMW Corporate Finance UK, BMW Financial Services Singapore, BMW Financial Services New Zealand and Tesla Financial Services UK.

At the same time, I have coached individuals and delivered leadership development programmes in 17 countries across Asia, Europe and North America.

I started Aquilae in 2016 to enable “Fulfilling Performance” in the mobility industry, internationally.

Learn more about Fulfilling Performance

Check out Release the handbrake! The Fulfilling Performance Hub.

Connect with Andy

LinkedIn: Andy Follows
Email: cvm@aquilae.co.uk

Join a guided peer mentoring team: Aquilae Academy

Thank you to our sponsors:

ASKE Consulting
Email: hello@askeconsulting.co.uk

Aquilae
Email: cvm@aquilae.co.uk

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Episode recorded on 23 December, 2024.