Ep 150 - Diversity of Experience: Leading Across Sectors and Continents, with guest Megan Thomson

Her Ambitious Career

When we build a career we have choices. One choice is to dig deep into a specific areas of expertise and become a total domain expert, and another is to have a broader reach with varied experiences. Is one better than the other?

In today's episode my fabulous guest, Meg Thomson, is sharing her diverse journey with us having led projects at Apple, Samsung, BCG Digital Ventures, Coles Supermarkets, Polestar Electric Cars, and OVO Energy.
We are talking today about:

• Going after a broad career - the floodlight (multiple sectors) versus the torchlight approach (subject matter expert in one sector)
• Thriving beyond your comfort zone
• The power of a clear vision to galvanise teams during crises
• Meg's Career Toolbelt analogy : how to expand your 'toolbelt' and look for new experiences and opportunities to broaden your skills and experiences throughout your career

Something Meg said:

"If I am not uncomfortable, I am not growing and I am not learning. I have chosen to become a a strategic operations and customer experience expert globally, but I am always learning a new sector, whether its management consulting, tech with Apple, electric cars or FMCG. The investment I have to put in early-on in a role is to learn the sector, as well as the pain points of the customer. I will ask lots of questions, be humble and acknowledge that I don't know everything and lean on others' expertise; it's a steep learning curve!"

Links:

• Find Meg on Linkedin
• Watch Rebecca's FREE Masterclass and learn how to back yourself at work and set yourself up for a senior leadership promotion
• Another ep: Learn to Love What it Takes to Become a Senior Leader
• Get Rebecca's free GUIDE: The 7 Habits of Female Execs Who Get Promoted
• Find Rebecca at her website

About Meg:
Meg Thomson is a remarkable professional with a career that spans across continents and industries and is a domain expert in the area of Customer Experience. Meg has lived in South Africa, Australia and UK and has held influential leadership roles at iconic brands such as Apple, Samsung, BCG Digital Ventures, Coles Supermarkets, Polestar Electric Cars, and OVO Energy. Notably, she spearheaded the customer strategy at (COMPANY X) during the UK’s worst energy crisis in 50 years, leading her team to win the Best Customer Experience in a Crisis award in 2023.

About Rebecca:
Rebecca Allen is an Executive Coach and Personal Brand expert who helps corporate women attain senior leadership positions. Her clients come from a range of industries and companies including Aquila Capital, Reserve Bank of Australia, Goldman Sachs, Ministry of Defence, KPMG, J.P. Morgan and Coca-Cola Amatil. Rebecca's favourite work day was recently: her client sent her a photo of a card her son had written her. In his note, he praised his mum for chasing her career goals down, getting promoted and putting her needs first. Rebecca loves that her work impacts not just the women she coaches, but their families too.