For many, a career spanning 35 years in global finance might seem like the pinnacle of stability and success. Paul Mullins is an exception to this. He is a former leader at HSBC. He sought a new challenge that prompted an unexpected career shift. He transitioned from corporate leadership to consultancy. In this episode of The Career Equation Podcast, Paul reflects on his leadership journey. He shares valuable insights into navigating the challenges of a major career change. He shares about transitioning into consultancy and mastering the art of communication.

"Moving from a big corporate to a consultancy role was exciting and a bit challenging," Paul says. He transitioned from managing large teams at HSBC to helping fintech startups grow. This shift allowed him to use his experience in a new way. After managing global projects for years, Paul now focuses on smaller businesses. He aims to share his expertise with these companies to help them enter new markets. His goal is to support sustainable growth for these businesses.

The podcast further explores the evolving demands of leadership. Paul discusses the importance of personal development. He explains how key skills like communication can shape successful career transitions.

Join host Erica on The Career Equation podcast as she delves into the art of creating a fulfilling career with Susan Emmett, Social Value Director at Stantec. Susan’s journey from journalism to business development offers unique insights into embedding social value into business strategies. Her career path highlights the importance of aligning professional ambitions with personal values, providing invaluable lessons for those seeking career satisfaction.

In this episode, Susan elucidates the concept of social value, illustrating its shift from a corporate formality to a vital business strategy influenced by public expectations and legislative frameworks like the Social Value Act of 2012. She stresses that genuine success now depends on a company’s societal and environmental impact, rather than just financial performance.

At the core of Susan’s philosophy are leadership and communication, as she champions clear storytelling to highlight Stantec’s contributions to social value. She shares her vision of making social impact an integral part of "business as usual," encouraging leaders to align corporate objectives with broader societal goals.

Tune in to discover how Susan Emmett’s transformative approach can help you design a career that not only achieves professional aspirations but also makes a positive contribution to the world. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to integrate sustainability into their career path and lead with purpose.

Alex Seftel's journey in journalism is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities and embracing career growth. Learn about the Career Equation and how it can transform your professional path!

In today's episode of the Career Equation, we sat with Alex, a versatile journalist and BBC podcast producer. From student media to BBC podcasts, Alex's career shows curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to step out of his comfort zone. He shares, "I wanted to get into sports because I've been a sports fan, although that hasn't been my upbringing. My parents aren't interested in sport that much." His interest in sports journalism came from wanting a more relaxed setting than political reporting. "Sport was a little bit more relaxed than politics. You didn't have to think about balancing between two sides, less stressful, you can say more what you want," Alex explains.

His journey began in earnest during his university years when he took the plunge into student media. Despite initial hesitations, Alex found a welcoming community that shared his interests. He recalls, "When I got into it people were very friendly. We had the same interests in the case of sport, for example." This experience helped him to find passion. It helped him to build skills in commentating, writing, and TV production.