Consultant spotlight: Carol Bradley

Q&A with Carol Bradley

1. What’s your favourite way to answer the question ‘what do you do?’

I support organisations, teams and individuals in improving their performance and the working life of their people by pulling on learning from Elite Sports, Psychology and Business.

2. What is your approach to finding a work-life balance?

I love what I do and happily put in a lot of hours, however I balance this with spending time with family. I have two young grandsons and spending time playing with them keeps everything in perspective. I also have two dogs whom I compete with in obedience and rally trails giving me a different focus.

3. Describe in three words what makes a good leader

Integrity, foresight and courage

4. If you could remote-work from any country in the world, where would it be?

I am so fortunate to be able to work from a base in Scotland and I am not sure I would change that. Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and I can easily commute from here to the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond.

5. Which culture, philosophy, or way of life – that is different to yours – do you most admire?

I admire the way of life of many of the European countries. Italians pride themselves on eating healthy, spending lots of time outdoors in the sun, having a good work life balance, being comfortable to express themselves openly and most importantly for nurturing strong family bonds. I strive to master all of these, but I could do more.

6. Who was your favourite teacher, role model or mentor when growing-up?

Although, like a lot of teenagers I might not have appreciated it at the time I can now see that my mother was a strong influence while I was growing up. She juggled the multiple facets of life (working full time, caring for my grandmother, looking after three children, running the home, etc.) with optimism and grace. On reflection I can appoint the development of my core values and strong work ethics to her.

7. What, or who, was your biggest inspiration when choosing your career route?

Many years ago, while working in a sales management role several of my team won awards (top shop, top sales person, top trainee, etc.) and they accredited their success to the support and development I had offered. While I believe their success was as much to do with their personal attributes and determination, as the development and encouragement that they had received from me, it did make me realise that my talents lay in the development of teams and people. Shortly afterward I moved into a leadership development role and onto a role as a consultant.

8. Which area of your consulting work do you find the most interesting, and why?

The thing I love about the role of consultant is that it is so diverse. I enjoy all aspects of the role, but if I had to choose one thing I find most interesting it would be building relationships with a wide range of clients. I feel privileged to be able to partner with clients across all sectors. To be in a position where I can gain an insight and understanding of their world, and am able to support them in making positive changes.

9. What are the top 3 personal skills that leaders need to possess, or develop, to lead their organisation into the future?

1. Vision (an insight as to what future trends will impact on their world)

2. Courage (standing up for what’s right for the organisation and the people who work within it)

3. Ethical Decision Making (choosing the right path that will lead both the organisation and people to success)

10. If you could go back in time and give your 16-year-old self advice, what would it be?

Listen more, talk less.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed three items, what would they be and why?

1. My iPad as I use it for everything (communicating, books, photo’s, games, making notes, etc.)

2. Comfy shoes (can’t cope with having sore feet)

3. A big cosy blanket to snuggle up in

12. What’s the number one thing you want to accomplish during your time on Earth?

Being the best mother and grandmother I can be as ultimately my children are my legacy