Vicki Brady is the CEO of Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunication company. Her journey to the top of the telecommunication giant has been one of hard work, strategic leadership and commitment to innovation.
Like others, Vicki got many business advice early in her career. She went through the complexities, but she had clarity, which led her to chase her passion for being in a telecommunication company.
Before becoming the CEO of Telstra, she was into accounting and finance. In 2003, she joined Telstra and played several senior roles. Now, she is the company’s chief executive officer, where she has worked hard to transform Telstra’s customer-based strategy and grow its digital and mobile services.
Let’s dive into the business advice Vicki Brady Telstra has ever received in her career.
1- “Lead and Operate As Who You Are”
One of the great business advice that Vicki Brady has ever received is to ‘Lead and Operate as Who You Are”.
Sharing the moment, Vicki said I was sitting around the CEO’s leadership team. I had a moment where I was working with a mentor and said to him: “I watch the others around the table, and they’re doing this, and they’re doing that. I need to adapt and change.”
And he looked at me and said: “Vicki, do you think you were chosen for the role because you are like them? Or do you think you were chosen because you’re different?”
From that moment, she understood that – Everyone is different, Everyone has distinct leadership skills, and most importantly, every CEO does it differently. It’s better to find my own way to do it rather than copy someone and be comfortable with that.
2- “Why would you do that (Mobile Business)? The fixed-line business is where it’s at. Mobile is never going to amount to much at all.”
When someone gives you business advice, you decide whether to consider it. When Vicki Brady broadened her experience, she decided to move into the mobile business, considering the growing market in Australia.
That time, one leader said: “Why would you do that? The fixed-line business is where it’s at. Mobile is never going to amount to much at all.”
That time, Vicki Brady Telstra chose her instincts and stepped into Australia’s leading telecommunication company. It might be the worst business advice Vicki Brady ever received.
Building a Future With Passion, Vision and Authenticity
Vicki Brady Telstra leads Telstra through a significant transformation, including restructuring the business. The market value of Telstra is AUD 47.49 billion or $29.90 billion, all because of her dedication and hard work. As a leader, she continues to inspire many, particularly women in leadership roles, with her approach to navigating challenges and seizing growth opportunities.
