E151 - Emma Sinclair: Why generosity pays so well

The High Performance

Episode Details

Published Date

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:00:05 GMT

Duration

53:11

Explicit

False

Guests

No guests specified

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Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.
Notes

This is the fourth episode in our CEO Series, in which we will be deep diving into what it takes to be a CEO.


Emma Sinclair is the CEO of EnterpriseAlumni and was the youngest person to IPO on the London Stock Exchange aged 29. She was a regular contributor to The Telegraph, UNICEF’s first Business Mentor and has been awarded an MBE for her Services to Entrepreneurship. In this episode Emma shares how she was constantly finding ways into finance and entrepreneurship, from putting her student loan into the stock market to consistently working harder than she needed to. They discuss leadership, persistence and what she looks for from new hires. They also discuss how her father encouraged her to think differently from a young age; like when they used to play ‘find the best share price’ game in the car everyday to and from school.


Emma also discusses the hidden costs of her work: health, family, holidays and self-care. But, Emma is proud to have an extended family of people who arrived in the U.K under difficult circumstances, she encourages everyone to take the leap and offer help when and where you can.


Thank you to PwC for sponsoring this special CEO Series. PwC’s purpose is to build trust and solve important problems, and their global strategy - The New Equation - is bringing this to life for their clients, people and society. By combining technology with human ingenuity, passion and experience, PwC works with organisations to deliver more intelligent, sustained outcomes.



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Summary
### Summary of the Podcast Episode Transcript:

The podcast episode features Emma Sinclair, the CEO of EnterpriseAlumni and the youngest person to IPO on the London Stock Exchange at the age of 29. Emma shares her journey as an entrepreneur, her experiences, and her insights on leadership, persistence, and the hidden costs of her work.

**Key Points:**

- **Entrepreneurialism:** Emma defines entrepreneurialism as creating a lot from a little, which doesn't necessarily mean building a business that people talk about or is listed on the stock exchange.

- **Nurturing Intelligence:** Emma's father played a crucial role in nurturing her intelligence and interest in business. They engaged in activities like reading share prices in the newspaper and discussing business news, which demystified the world of business for Emma.

- **Risk-Taking:** Emma acknowledges the risks associated with entrepreneurship, but she emphasizes the importance of considering the potential rewards and the worst-case scenario. She encourages individuals to think carefully about the risks and rewards before starting a business.

- **Entrepreneurial Mindset:** Emma believes that entrepreneurialism is not limited to starting a business. It can be applied in various roles, including sales, philanthropy, and community initiatives. She stresses the importance of creating a lot from a little and making the most of available resources.

- **Importance of Experience:** Emma emphasizes the value of gaining experience by working with others before starting a business. She believes that working in different roles and industries provides valuable insights and skills that can be applied to entrepreneurial ventures.

- **Hidden Costs of Success:** Emma acknowledges the hidden costs of her success, such as the impact on her health, family, holidays, and self-care. Despite these challenges, she expresses pride in the extended family she has created through her work and encourages others to offer help and support to those in need.

**Overall Message:**

Emma Sinclair's journey as an entrepreneur highlights the importance of persistence, risk-taking, and the ability to create a lot from a little. She emphasizes the value of gaining experience before starting a business and acknowledges the hidden costs of success. Emma's story inspires individuals to embrace entrepreneurialism, take calculated risks, and make a positive impact on the world.

# Episode Overview

In this episode of the CEO Series podcast, Emma Sinclair, the CEO of EnterpriseAlumni and the youngest person to IPO on the London Stock Exchange at age 29, shares her insights on leadership, persistence, and the importance of networking. She emphasizes the value of gaining experience in various jobs at a young age and discusses the hidden costs of her work, including the impact on her health, family, and personal life. Sinclair also highlights the importance of kindness, respect, and empathy as non-negotiables in her personal and professional life and reflects on her biggest strength (persistence) and weakness (pet videos on Instagram). She concludes the interview by recommending two books by Anne Rand, "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugs," which have been influential in her life.

# Key Insights

1. **Importance of Diverse Work Experience:** Sinclair emphasizes the significance of gaining experience in various jobs at a young age, as it teaches essential life lessons, such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. She encourages listeners to embrace different roles, even if they may not be their ideal choices, as these experiences contribute to personal and professional growth.

2. **Hidden Costs of Success:** Sinclair acknowledges the hidden costs associated with her success, including the impact on her health, family time, holidays, and self-care. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing personal well-being and finding a balance between work and personal life.

3. **Non-Negotiable Values:** Sinclair identifies kindness, respect, and empathy as non-negotiable values in her personal and professional life. She believes that these values are essential for building strong relationships and creating a positive work environment.

4. **Biggest Strength and Weakness:** Sinclair reflects on her biggest strength, persistence, which has been instrumental in her success. However, she also acknowledges her weakness for pet videos on Instagram, which she admits can be a distraction.

5. **Biggest Failure and Reaction:** Sinclair recalls her biggest failure as not speaking up more in her younger years, due to shyness. She encourages listeners to be more confident in their decisions and to communicate their ideas and concerns more assertively.

6. **Recommended Reading:** Sinclair recommends two books by Anne Rand, "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugs," which have had a significant impact on her life. She highlights the themes of creation and selfishness in these books, which resonate with her entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, Emma Sinclair, CEO of EnterpriseAlumni and the youngest person to IPO on the London Stock Exchange at age 29, shares her insights on leadership, persistence, and what she looks for in new hires. Sinclair emphasizes the importance of constantly seeking opportunities in finance and entrepreneurship, working harder than necessary, and maintaining a persistent attitude while remaining adaptable to change.

Sinclair discusses how her father encouraged her to think differently from a young age, playing games like "find the best share price" on their daily commute. She also highlights the hidden costs of her work, including the impact on her health, family, holidays, and self-care. Despite these challenges, Sinclair expresses pride in her extended family of people who have arrived in the UK under difficult circumstances and encourages others to offer help when and where they can.

The podcast also explores the importance of building relationships and staying connected with others, as highlighted in the book "The Alliance" by Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh. Sinclair emphasizes the value of persistence, tempered with the ability to recognize when a change in direction is necessary. She encourages young people to ask questions and seek guidance from entrepreneurs, business leaders, and sportspeople, who are often willing to share their experiences and insights.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights from Emma Sinclair on leadership, persistence, and the importance of human connections in achieving success in business and life.

Raw Transcript with Timestamps