Be genuine, be focused, leave a legacy, take chances, be a storyteller and be consistent.
Meet Simon Haigh. Helping you become the leader you want to be by increasing your confidence, business, brand & leadership presence. A 5-star author, former lawyer, global CEO, successful entrepreneur, sat on 5 boards & currently an advisor to 3 in the US, Ireland; featured on BBC. Global expert: negotiation, deals, business, leadership, mindset, brand growth.
Endorsed by world no. 1 leadership thinker M Goldsmith, Brand Finance, high performing leaders, companies, business schools, organizations, Govt bodies for his work. Certified leadership coach & mediator, consultant, trainer, lecturer, mentor, author, speaker, media host, 6 sigmas yellow belt, certified project manager, tri-qualified (UK/I, Oz) lawyer & entrepreneur – built, sold out of tech, luxury (Haigh & Hastings watches & others), travel.
Let’s learn a little about you and really get to experience what makes us tick – starting at our beginnings. Where did your story begin?
Simon Haigh: I started life in the UK as a commercial lawyer. I then moved to Ireland in 2000 where I soon became legal counsel for Dell and Head of Legal for EMEA for Xilinx Semiconductors. In 2007 I emigrated with my wife and family to Australia where I ultimately became CEO of a US company there. Since 2013 I have owned and managed my own consulting, coaching, and advisory business – GCM.
Was there somebody in your life that inspired you to take that specific journey with your business?
Simon Haigh: Yes – Marshall Goldsmith – world no. 1 leadership thinker. In 2016, he wrote the foreword to my second book – Dealmaking for Corporate Growth. In 2019 he then wrote the foreword to my third book – How to Be a Better Dealcloser. He has helped me match my confidence with my capability and as a result, I have received amazing global accolades.
What are the most common mistakes you see entrepreneurs make and what would you suggest they do?
Simon Haigh: The biggest mistake is not balancing the 3Rs of Business Growth – Revenue, Risk, and Revenue and also not sufficiently matching their Drive with their Strategy with the Right Opportunities.
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Has the pandemic and transitioning into mostly online shopping affected your company positively or negatively?
Simon Haigh: Very positively. Over the last 15 months, I have transitioned all my business online through e-learning, webinars, and online coaching and consulting capabilities.
In your opinion, what makes your company stand out from the competition?
Simon Haigh: I am referred to as The Growth Strategist and our business is unique in that it helps businesses and leaders with 4 holistic aspects of growth – Business, Leadership, Brand, and Mindset.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Simon Haigh: Resilience, Honesty, Humility.
What have you learned about personal branding that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Simon Haigh: Be genuine, be focused, leave a legacy, take chances, be a storyteller and be consistent.
How would you define “leadership”?
Simon Haigh: It is inspiring others to be the best version of themselves.
What advice would you give to our younger readers that want to become entrepreneurs?
Simon Haigh: Make sure your head, heart, and soul are aligned and you will intuitively know what you are meant to do and thrive at.
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What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Simon Haigh: “Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter”. So go for it and don’t worry about what others think of you – it’s what you think of you that matters.
This interview was originally published ValiantCEO.