Redirecting.work

Paul's career journey has been driven more by intuition than by a set plan. He never had a fixed career path but was motivated by a desire to make a significant impact. Frustrated by the slow pace of change at Aon where he headed Talent Strategy consulting services, he sought roles where he could directly influence business outcomes. His need to feel good about himself was closely tied to being close to revenue impact. “The closer to revenue impact, the better I feel about myself,” he noted, though he acknowledged this might not be true for everyone.

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His drive to conceive projects “at the tip of the spear” and to make a tangible difference often dictated his career moves. It was always more about the work than the job title for him.

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A New Direction​

At Visier, Paul went from head of consulting services to become Visier’s CHRO. In his latest pivot, he has taken on the role of Head of Customer Service, bringing him even closer to revenue impact. This move aligns perfectly with his desire to influence business outcomes and make a meaningful impact.

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Support and Guidance​

Paul did not have a career coach. Instead, he relied on therapy, both cognitive-behavioral and traditional, to help him navigate his career and personal growth. He also experimented with meditation and invested in personal development.

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Assessments and Tools
Paul has utilized various assessments to understand himself better, and recommends Johnson O’Connor Research, Predictive Index, Hogan Values, SuccessFinders, and StandOut by Marcus Buckingham. These tools have helped him align his career moves with his strengths and values.

Expectations and Setbacks
His career moves were not without their challenges. He took a pay cut to join Visier and initially viewed his new roles through rose-colored glasses. It wasn’t until a year into each job that he began to see the downsides. He acknowledges that setbacks are inevitable and vary depending on the breadth or depth of one’s expertise.

“You just won’t know some of the downsides,” he advises. For those with a broad skill set, the potential drawbacks are numerous, while for specialists, the setbacks tend to be more specific.

Maintaining a Beginner’s Mindset
One of Paul's key philosophies is maintaining a beginner’s mindset. It’s not about the hours worked but how you balance and spend your time. He avoids a negative mindset and refrains from “what if” scenarios unless they are used to assess risks.

“The payoff gets bigger as we get older as we find the courage to take risks,” he believes. This perspective has allowed him to embrace new opportunities and navigate his career with confidence.

The Importance of Meaning
For Paul, finding meaning in work, social interactions, and continuous learning is crucial. He values recognition and continuous appreciation, acknowledging that often people don’t realize the value someone brings until they leave or pass away.

Conclusion
Paul’s journey from a consultant to leader of consulting to a C-suite executive is a testament to the power of intuition, resilience, and the pursuit of making a meaningful impact. Driven by a desire to influence business outcomes and stay close to revenue impact, he has navigated his career relying on his instincts and a deep understanding of his strengths. His story offers valuable insights into the importance of maintaining a beginner’s mindset, investing in personal growth, and finding meaning in every aspect of work and life.​