“I've learned some of it the hard way and had the benefit of sponsors, mentors, or colleagues in business that have pointed out what really matters in the end.
“These are the key stepping stones, skills and attributes that you need to have to get ahead.”
Lisa revealed the most important lesson she has learnt, and is challenged by every day, was from an Iranian taxi driver in Istanbul when she was there on business with ING Direct.
During the journey, she was busy in the back speaking to her daughter, son, Sydney office and a colleague in Spain.
She explained: “The taxi driver turned around and commented how busy I was and said ‘sometimes, you must feel like a juggler’.
“I agreed and he took his hands off the wheel and said, ‘I bet, sometimes you drop some of those balls, but that's ok, because most of the balls are rubber, and they just bounce back. However, some of the balls are glass. Don't drop the glass balls’.
“Sometimes the energy and commitment you devote in your careers can be all consuming, but you must be very careful to know what those glass balls are in your life and protect them.
“When the career carousel stops, you want to be able to have some sort of life and relationships beyond that. You can have both, and you can do them at the same time, but it's often very seductive to completely unbalance yourself in one way.”
Lisa categorised her learnings into three main pillars:
- Personal impact
- Experience
- Leadership.