The advice that stuck
Each week we've invited our featured 'movers' to put on their pointy hats of wisdom and pass on the best advice they've ever received. We've grouped these answers into the top five 'sage advice' categories and chosen our favourites from each, as well as added a few gems from some famous advice-givers, including a doozy from Leonard Cohen.
12 % said
'Don't sweat the small stuff'
Head of Research - Fixed Income and Alternatives, SQM Research
"There is an old (and probably clichéd) saying that still stands up as something to aspire to : "... grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.""
Head of Research, Select Investment Partners
"Focus on the important things and not get swamped by noise. That's a piece of advice that has really stuck by me... I've realised it's very valuable and put everything I do in this context."
"You know how advice is. You only want it if it agrees with what you wanted to do anyway." Author, John Steinbeck
10 % said
'Recognise opportunities'
CEO, Next Generation Advisory
"Steve Waugh said at the recent Bradman Foundation, "Successful people recognise an opportunity, where others may see a problem. Recognising something as an opportunity, and then taking it, separates the best from the rest""
Portfolio Manager, API Capital
"Know when to change tracks and identify opportunities through strategic sideways - or even sideways and back step - career moves. This came from listening to a senior colleague who suggested that my time would be better focused on quantitative finance rather than pursuing a career as an actuary which at that stage wasn't going to help my career advancement in the organisation for which I was working. "
"Don't eat anything that your grandmother wouldn't recognise." SBS newsreader turned balcony gardener, Indira Naidoo quoting food writer, Michael Pollan
7 % said
'Honesty is the best policy'
Director, Recreo Financial Technologies
"In financial services I've found no shortage of mostly well-meaning folk giving me sage advice on all things from corporate leadership, strategy and ethics to behaviour, fashion and hygiene!
"As simple and regular as it is, "Why tell a lie when the truth is more than enough" keeps resonating. In corporate leadership, sales and business development the temptation to exaggerate and paint a brighter picture than what exists is often tempting. But I've learnt that simply being nothing but yourself and communicating the clear facts is far more effective in moving forward successfully."
Chief Investment Officer, Australian Catholic Super
"I was very lucky to have had a few wise mentors over my thirty years in the Financial Services Industry. My favourite has always been that 'honesty is the best policy', even though that can be a hard road sometimes."
"When angry, count 10 before you speak; if very angry, a hundred." 3rd US President, Thomas Jefferson
5 % said
'Question everything'
Leader, Mercer Sentinel
"When I first discussed a career in financial services with my dad, his first words to me were, "Never assume anything in banking". His comments have remained with me over the years, and translate well in relation to business models, risk, compliance and client relationships. We need to continue to learn, ask the right questions internally and externally and strive to make a difference in the workplace."
Director, InvestSense
""Question everything in life but especially in markets." That was from Paul Richards, my first boss and mentor in funds research. With hindsight he also stood by that and gave me free rein to blunder about and be argumentative when there was a lot of pressure to conform, something which I am eternally grateful for and an example I try and follow."
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." Greek philosopher, Aristotle
5 % said
'Listen more, talk less'
Duncan Hodnett
Director of Institutional Business Australia and New Zealand, Eaton Vance
"One of the best pieces of advice I was given came from a very well-known CIO of a large Superfund. It was my first investment committee review for their fund and afterwards he pulled me aside and suggested that I should listen to what his committee had to say and not talk so much - this has boded me well ever since!"
Head of Client Service & Marketing, Western Asset Management
"I have been fortunate to have had some great mentors over the course of my career, providing me with advice, guidance and support. Notwithstanding that, the best piece of advice, whilst sometimes used in a jovial context, is to know that "You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion". In other words, first and foremost making sure I listen to my clients and colleagues. The consequence, long standing relationships."
"Never make a decision when you need to pee." Songwriter and poet, Leonard Cohen
