Consultant Spotlight: Claire Bruna

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

I say that I’m a business psychologist who works with individuals and businesses to improve performance, focusing on the people side of things.

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

I find this quite difficult sometimes. I’ve learnt to keep things in perspective, to value the stuff outside of work (more than inside!), to recognize when you may not be getting the balance quite right and to adjust.

3. Describe in three words what makes a good leader.

Real, honest, connected.

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

Difficult question! I think I’d have to say Italy – a place called Saluzzo, which is where my Grandad grew up. I love visiting and I always feel an overwhelming sense of connection and ‘home’. You also can’t beat Italian food and wine!  So either there, or I’d pick a number of countries and travel around for a while – I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand!

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

I went to Vietnam last year and absolutely loved the way of life, the people – the culture. I left feeling like they had their priorities in check, and had a really good balance between relationships, family, friends and work. People seemed so happy and content living a very simple, and what we could consider ‘basic’ life. There was such a sense of community, using nature to live, focusing on relationships, and looking after each other – I loved it!

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

Again – a difficult question. My parents and family have taught me so much, especially that if you work hard you can do anything or get anywhere you want. They truly role modelled this when my brother and I were growing up.

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

The person that springs to mind is my previous line manager at Lane4. She truly made me believe that I could go down the consulting path (or any other path come to think of it) and also taught me so much. I’ll be in her debt for a while I think – thank you (if you read this Kate!).

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

I love that we get the opportunity to work across a range of consulting projects. I think at the moment it’s the range that I enjoy. No two days are the same!

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

Adaptability, creating pathways and some sort of certainty in ambiguity, and changing to get ahead – not to keep up. 

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

Work out what is important to you – prioritise those things, listen to your mum – she’s probably right. Take the bad with the good, appreciate every moment and everyone – you never quite know when people will get taken away.

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

A friend – so I don’t get lonely, prosecco – so we can have a few drinks, a boat – so we can get home when we get hungry!

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

Big question – amongst other things I think to have a happy and healthy family.