Biggest fuck up?

Lack of ambition. My ambition has grown as I have progressed in my career, which is fine, but it does mean things can take a little longer. I feel like a good 5 years have been lost due to not having high enough targets or realising what could be achieved by having higher aspirations.

To fix this, I regularly force myself to look at the big picture and reassess the market and opportunity in the broadest sense I can. This means I can actually see if there is a better solution, a bigger solution to what we are trying to achieve.

Lightbulb moment

Giving your team the freedom to make a success. Realising that with a good team, you can set them a clear target, give them the responsibility to hit it and report back. That is what they are paid to do; I am not needed for every element of the business. Handholding micromanagement does not always help, and it can often hinder.

Useful advice

Make a specific time each month, one day, half a day, to look at your company, its place in the market against competitors and if there is an opportunity for innovation and improvement.