Andrew Bridge, Managing Partner of Fisher German (FG) really embodies what it means to be a great, modern leader. FG employs over 600 employees and is 60-person partnership. This is no mean feat when it comes to creating alignment, because it’s like having 60 business owners!
Andrew is purpose driven. He recognises how his organisation can make a difference to the survival of the human race through their services.
He genuinely thinks highly of his team (he says they are amazing) and very much achieves results through them.
What’s evident about Andrew’s success is his mindset. Always seeing the opportunity in challenges but also continually growing and helping his team to be the best they can be.
We talk about the things that contribute towards both his and FG’s success:
How a big part of leadership involves talking to people and listening.
How taking time to think and reflect enables him to be focused on what he’s going to achieve each day.
How, since lockdown he is more conscious of what a good day or meeting looks like and the outcomes which are necessary.
That profitability comes from your people being happy and enjoying what they're doing and your clients being happy and content with the service.
He reads a lot! His favourite book is Legacy. He also has my book on his bedside cabinet, which he kindly endorsed. The business subscribes to Audible and they have a book club so that people can share their learning.
How imposter syndrome creates fear and self-doubt, which exists in everybody, but that having the right level of support around you helps.
How you must appreciate that some things are outside of your control and that worrying about them isn’t going to make any difference.
How he sees himself as a guardian who is ensuring they are all working together as one team moving in the right direction.
How he felt that at school he was always chasing his tail and wasn’t academic, so instead learnt how to communicate and convince people effectively. He loves standing up in front of people and being able to talk without a script!
How he has been constantly trying to prove himself to make those people around him proud – in particular his mum and dad.
He recognises that he’s not perfect and never will be, but if he can make himself a little bit better than he was yesterday, then that's progress.
How he’s developing a culture where it is a safe place to fail, which is easier to say, but a lot more difficult to create. This is not because they deliberately set out to fail. It’s about doing something different next time [when things go wrong], but also being able to express yourself without fear, so that you reach your boosted potential.
When he thinks about success, he thinks about his Dad.
Andrew is a great person and would love you to connect with him. He’d like you to realise that leaders are normal people, who want other people to be able to talk to them; relate to them.
You can connect with Andrew Bridge on LinkedIn. You can find out more about Fisher German here.
You can connect with me Estelle Read, book a free 30 minute discovery session, get free resources or order my book Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress.
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