Podcast: The High Performance
Published Date:
Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:36 GMT
Duration:
58:55
Explicit:
False
Guests:
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.
This is the first episode of our Leadership Series, sponsored by PwC, in which we will be diving deep into what it really takes to be a CEO.
Steve Hare is a businessman and CEO of Sage Group PLC, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll tech for small and mid-sized businesses. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Steve shares with Jake and Damian his insights into the business world, including the benefit of being older in business, how to face the challenges of being CEO and the key advice he would give young entrepreneurs.
Prior to Sage, after achieving his career ambition of reaching CFO below the age of 40 (one of the youngest in the FTSE 100), Steve was asked to leave 18 months later. Although this was one of the lowest moments of his career, Steve shares with Jake and Damian the invaluable lessons he took away from this experience. They discuss how to hire good people, the ‘Waiter Test’ and how crucial a “team comes first” culture is.
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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**Navigating Leadership Challenges: Insights from Steve Hare, CEO of Sage**
**Introduction**
In this special episode of the High Performance Podcast, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes engage in a captivating conversation with Steve Hare, the CEO of Sage Group PLC, a leading provider of accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses. Steve shares his valuable insights on leadership, drawing from his extensive experience in the industry and his journey to becoming a successful CEO.
**Key Takeaways**
* **High Performance:** Steve defines high performance as pushing oneself to achieve the best version of themselves, setting ambitious goals, and consistently delivering amazing results over time. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and the ability to ride the highs and lows of the journey.
* **Early Career:** Steve reflects on his early career, acknowledging that he was more passionate about playing rugby than pursuing academic excellence. He realized the need to align his efforts with outcomes that excited him and developed a determination to achieve his goals.
* **Balancing High Performance and Personal Well-being:** Steve highlights the challenge of balancing high performance with personal well-being. He stresses the importance of falling in love with the outcome, rather than focusing solely on the process. This mindset shift helps individuals embrace the highs and lows and avoid overreacting to setbacks.
* **Learning from Setbacks:** Steve shares a significant setback he faced early in his career when he was asked to leave his position as CFO of a company due to a debt restructuring. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that setbacks are not personal failures but opportunities for learning and growth.
* **The "Waiter Test":** Steve introduces the "Waiter Test" as a valuable tool for assessing customer service and employee engagement. He explains that if employees treat customers the same way they would treat a waiter or waitress, it is a sign of a healthy and respectful company culture.
* **Creating a "Team Comes First" Culture:** Steve emphasizes the significance of fostering a "team comes first" culture within an organization. He believes that when teams prioritize the collective good over individual interests, they achieve remarkable results.
* **Winning Hearts and Minds:** Steve shares his approach to winning hearts and minds when leading a large organization. He stresses the importance of walking the floors, engaging with employees at all levels, and creating a sense of trust and psychological safety.
* **The Power of Honesty and Transparency:** Steve highlights the value of honesty and transparency in leadership. He encourages leaders to be open about challenges and setbacks, acknowledging that vulnerability can build trust and strengthen relationships.
* **The Importance of Values:** Steve discusses the role of values in shaping company culture and decision-making. He emphasizes the need for values to be meaningful and actionable, guiding employees' behaviors and interactions.
* **Building a High-Performance Culture:** Steve outlines the key elements of a high-performance culture, including a clear sense of purpose, a focus on continuous improvement, and a commitment to employee development. He believes that creating such a culture requires leaders to set the tone and lead by example.
**Conclusion**
Steve Hare's leadership journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to learn from setbacks. His insights on creating a high-performance culture, fostering a "team comes first" mentality, and the importance of values and transparency provide valuable lessons for aspiring leaders.
# Podcast Episode Summary: Leadership Series - Steve Hare, CEO of Sage Group PLC
**Guest:** Steve Hare, CEO of Sage Group PLC
**Topics Discussed:**
* The importance of being older in business
* How to face the challenges of being CEO
* Key advice for young entrepreneurs
* The benefits of having a "team comes first" culture
* How to hire good people
* The importance of creating a psychologically safe environment
* The value of learning from mistakes
* How to create boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance
**Key Points:**
* **Being older in business can be an advantage.** Hare believes that his age has helped him to become a more effective leader. He has a wealth of experience to draw on, and he is less likely to make impulsive decisions.
* **The most important challenge for a CEO is to create a high-performance culture.** This means creating an environment where employees are motivated, engaged, and productive. It also means setting clear goals and expectations, and providing employees with the resources they need to succeed.
* **The best advice Hare can give to young entrepreneurs is to focus on building a strong team.** He believes that a team of talented and motivated people is the key to success.
* **A "team comes first" culture is essential for creating a high-performance workplace.** This means that everyone on the team is committed to working together and supporting each other. It also means that employees are willing to put the needs of the team ahead of their own individual needs.
* **To hire good people, it is important to look for candidates who are not only skilled and experienced, but also have the right attitude and values.** Hare believes that it is important to hire people who are passionate about their work and who are committed to the company's mission.
* **It is important to create a psychologically safe environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes.** Hare believes that this is essential for fostering innovation and creativity.
* **Learning from mistakes is essential for continuous improvement.** Hare encourages his employees to learn from their mistakes and to use those lessons to improve their performance.
* **It is important to create boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance.** Hare believes that it is important for employees to have time outside of work to relax and recharge. He also believes that it is important for employees to set boundaries and to avoid working excessive hours.
**Conclusion:**
Steve Hare is a successful CEO who has a wealth of experience to share. He is a strong advocate for creating a high-performance culture, hiring good people, and creating a psychologically safe environment. He also believes that it is important to learn from mistakes and to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
# Leadership Series: Steve Hare, CEO of Sage Group PLC
## Introduction
In this episode, we delve into the world of leadership with Steve Hare, CEO of Sage Group PLC, a leading provider of accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses. With over three decades of experience in the industry, Steve shares his insights on the business world, the challenges of being a CEO, and the key advice he would give young entrepreneurs.
## Steve Hare's Journey
Steve Hare's career journey has been marked by both successes and challenges. He achieved his career ambition of reaching CFO below the age of 40, becoming one of the youngest in the FTSE 100. However, 18 months later, he was asked to leave, which was one of the lowest moments of his career. Despite this setback, Steve learned invaluable lessons from this experience, which he shares in this episode.
## The Importance of Hiring Good People
Steve emphasizes the importance of hiring good people and creating a team that works well together. He believes in the 'Waiter Test,' which involves observing how potential hires treat service staff. According to Steve, if someone is rude to a waiter or waitress, they are unlikely to be a good fit for the company culture.
## Building a "Team Comes First" Culture
Steve stresses the significance of fostering a "team comes first" culture within the organization. He believes that the success of a business depends on the collective efforts of the team rather than the individual achievements of the CEO. He aims to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and where teamwork and collaboration are encouraged.
## Steve Hare's Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
For young entrepreneurs, Steve offers valuable advice. He encourages them to be passionate about their business, to be persistent and resilient in the face of challenges, and to surround themselves with good people. He also emphasizes the importance of staying humble and learning from mistakes.
## Steve Hare's Leadership Style
Steve Hare's leadership style is characterized by his focus on building a strong team, his commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work culture, and his ability to learn from both successes and failures. He believes that leadership is about empowering others and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
## Conclusion
In this episode, Steve Hare provides valuable insights into the world of leadership, sharing his experiences, challenges, and advice. His emphasis on hiring good people, building a "team comes first" culture, and staying humble and learning from mistakes offers valuable lessons for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.