When I first started the podcast, I thought my role was to tee things up – introduce my guest, list their achievements, and explain why you should listen.
Then I realised something…
They don’t need me to explain what they do for a living. They are the story.
Now, I give the guests the first word. Often, the most valuable career insights come from a single line they drop mid-conversation. So my job is to dig that gold out and put it at the start of the podcast.
And it’s much the same in treasury…
The best professionals I’ve met don’t dominate meetings or rush to prove how clever they are; they build credibility by asking better questions, then listening to the answers.
That’s why one of my favourite networking questions to ask is this:
“How did you get to the number one spot? And if you could give just one piece of advice to someone earlier in their career, what would it be?”
Ask this, then STOP talking.
(We have two ears and one mouth for a reason!)
You’ll learn more from that exchange than from most panel discussions.
Plus, you’ll leave a good impression on the other person. They’ll leave thinking, “That was a great conversation.”
Too many people think career visibility is about volume. It’s not.
You don’t need to be the loudest in the room, just the person who’s most interested in other people – NOT yourself.
So on my podcast, I’m not the star of the show; my guests are.
I’m the guide; I simply help my guests talk about how amazing the career path of a treasurer is and how they achieved success.
In your own career, you can play the same role…
You don’t have to be an expert to make an impact. Sometimes, the smartest move is to be the guide asking the right questions.
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given in treasury?
