LEADERSHIPTO THE POWER OF TEN

Rob Ward AM

This guide is a collection of reflections, tips, features and

signposts, originally published as a series of LinkedIn Posts.

They are based on my own personal experience after 37

wonderful years in public practice accounting.

What this guide is not, is a comprehensive review of the

challenges and depth of feeling I hold for the life of the

professional in public practice. That is for another day, and is

indeed in itself a work in progress.

One of the elements of my own career that stood me in good

stead was that it was often the simplest comment or tip from

others that was the most powerful.

How can this guide be best used?

Use it as a conversation starter with your coach or mentor or,

if you are a coach, the other way around.

If you are reflecting on your current experiences and how you

might respond to the challenges you are facing.

And finally, if you are seeking to develop your people or

yourself, are concerned with matters of client service or quality,

testing your own personal effectiveness, or maybe considering

how to respond to competitors, then I hope this will assist you.

@RobWard13

LEADERSHIP TO THEPOWER OF TEN

Leadership is a very unusual thing. For some it comes naturally

and for others it emerges at a more measured pace. The biggest

challenge is for leaders to realise exactly that, that they are in fact

leaders. With that realisation comes an enormous responsibility,

to not only lead but also recognise the impact that they have on

others.

People around leaders watch everything they do. Everything!

What they say and how they say it, when they smile or not, and

how their eyes sparkle with the passion of true leaders.

I am a very fortunate person to have been inspired in my

professional and personal life by some great leaders. At a difficult

time in my professional life, I was blaming everyone else for the

lack of progress when suddenly, it dawned upon me that the

problem was with me. I wasn't fulfilling my leadership potential.

I was worried about me and not thinking about those who were

looking to me to lead them. Once I got that, life became a lot

easier.

This guide captures many of the lessons that I have learned along

the way, and am still learning. While it’s primary focus is from the

world of professional services, the principles can be applied to

many aspects of our business and personal lives. I hope that you

enjoy the conversations. The earlier that you realise that you are

the leader, the better it will be for everyone.

Rob Ward AM

Former Global Managing Partner – Audit, PwC

Head of Leadership and Advocacy, Chartered Accountants ANZ

August 2015

@RobWard13

FOREWORD

“Never in my wildest dreams when I joined

PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1974 did I

expect to be starting a 37 year career,

with 25 years as a partner and working in

more than 50 countries. These are the

lessons from others that became part of

my DNA.

@RobWard13

“

Business and life is a wonderful challenge. A world of opportunity.

Leaders are born and made and come from every imaginable

background. They often emerge from where we least expect it.

We have explored many features, elements, tips and tricks of

strong leaders. While these all add up to the Power of 10, the

secret to success of the very best leaders has three very clear

ingredients.

1. An unwavering commitment to a set of values that guides

their thinking and actions

2. The innate ability to dream and to live the art of the possible

3. The courage and commitment to focus and execute.

@RobWard13

LEADERSHIP TO THE POWER OF TEN:THE SECRET TO SUCCESS