Cecily McGuckin | Talking Leadership with the first female CEO in Australia’s Steel distribution industry

Cecily chats with the QUT Alumni Team and reflects on trends in leadership and how technology is changing the landscape of business and offers advice for aspiring leaders on how to develop their own personal leadership style.

As CEO and Managing Director of a family-owned distribution business here in Brisbane what trends in leadership do you see evolving over the next 5-10 years?

The role of a leader has already started to change, and this new type of leader will be what employers and employees will want from now on. Employees are seeking more than just a paycheck. To meet these expectations, leaders will need to encompass regular communication, opportunities for professional development, flexibility in work arrangements, recognition and rewards, and transparency in business. What they want is to know they are being heard. And business owners need to ensure their leaders are giving them more than just numbers. By valuing their employees and investing in their growth and development, businesses can retain top talent and achieve long-term success. This is a win – win for everyone.

What does good leadership look like for you?

I believe that effective leadership often requires balancing multiple traits and behaviours, including strength, risk-taking, kindness, compassion, self-care, and the ability to build a positive culture. By wearing multiple hats and finding a balance between these different qualities, leaders can create a successful and thriving business, while also supporting the well-being and growth of their team members and themselves.

What does work/life balance look like for leaders to ensure they don’t burn out?

Everyone will have a different version of work life balance. I don’t tend to use this phrase because at different times this balance moves based on what is happening in your personal life or at work. For me, it’s creating clear boundaries in both facets of my life and ensuring I care for my mental health and body so I am the best I can be in both worlds. However, no one has this perfected, and you can only do the best you can do – sometimes we just need to be kinder to ourselves. Putting ourselves before others should not be seen as a taboo and for me, it took a long time to think this way.

What unique challenges do you think leaders in small and large businesses will face in the next 5 years?

There will always been challenges in business and they can change in an instant as COVID has shown us. I think as leaders we need to always be forward thinking and future proofing our businesses. We should be continually looking at ways to streamline our businesses and have procedures in place to protect as best we can. Continuously evolving is a must, we should always be looking at what we can do better and promoting change throughout all levels of our business – this is scary for a lot of people but is essential for any business to survive.

How will technology and AI impact the distribution business and businesses more generally in the future?

Technology and AI is going to impact not only businesses but people and its imperative this is embraced. It can be daunting but long term is it going to bring efficiencies, reduce errors and create value – every business is individual on how this is approached. For example, last year we brought paperless into our warehouse and logistics department. We have seen a huge improvement in the way the business is streamlined, and it has helped reduced errors. AI is also finding its way into manufacturing and distribution, and I am intrigued on what will come as it is not a matter of if, but when.

As a leader how do you create and nurture a workplace culture where staff feel valued and supported?

We prioritize hiring team members who have the right personality and attitude to fit into our team culture, rather than just focusing on technical skills alone. By working together as a cohesive team and valuing each other's contributions, we can achieve greater success as a business. Choosing the right leaders is also imperative to make this work. We then do small things to continue to enhance our culture which includes monthly BBQ’s, birthday leave and ensuring we celebrate the wins for our team both personally and at work. Our team is what makes us great and its imperative we continually work on it.

What inspires you most in your role?

Seeing our team members grow in confidence so they can see their own self-worth. This is something that really drives me, we have people start at QSS with little confidence in themselves. Over time with support and guidance from my team and myself they start to shine, which gives me inspiration to keep moving forward.

You mentioned that it’s very important as a leader to have a strong support network both inside and outside of the company. What advice would you give those looking to create their own networks?

This has been a gamechanger for me – I call it my tribe. But it does take work and you must put yourself out there to find the right people to support you. So go to networking events, conferences and when you find people you connect with make the effort to stay in touch. I have created a group of people from a variety of industries that support me, give me guidance and a push when necessary.

How do you incorporate professional development into your schedule? What does that look like?

Continuous development is a must for every person, no matter what your role is in business. You never stop learning and developing as a leader. There are many ways you can achieve this, and everyone is different. This includes traditional methods like further education, short courses, and webinars to business coaches, mentoring and peer focus groups. Based on your time constraints you need to find the right approach for you – but it is a must to being a great leader.

What advice would you give aspiring leaders for how to find their own leadership style?

It’s simple, learn from others and from your own mistakes. Build your leadership styles from other styles you connect to. Also, make sure you learn from your own mistakes and take ownership of them – this is a part of leadership many leaders lack – saying sorry when its warranted is necessary. There is no set way to lead but once you discover what works for you, then you have a base which you will always build on.

What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?

Listening to my gut is huge for me. I always make decisions using my guts instincts paired with the facts. There is so much research on the connection between the gut and the brain and I truly believe it has guided me on making the right decisions on many occasions. I take a breath, slow everything down and ask myself – what is my gut telling me. I now regularly ask my team, “what is your gut telling you,” and they too are now using this skill.

Do you have a question for Cecily? Connect with her on LinkedIn.