Every week, as part of my Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks podcast series, I speak with a different guest who offers their insightful wisdom about all things leadership. This series is aimed at inspiring leaders, whatever level you are at. Whether you are starting out in your career, whether you are in a middle-ranking role, or whether you are a CEO or Chairman of a board – there is always something you can learn. This series provides you with the skills, stories, tips and techniques which you can pass on to those you lead, and your teams.
This week I spoke with Brian Williamson, founder of Tiger Industries LTD.
Brian Williamson is an engineer, a professional businessman and an award-winning entrepreneur. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University sponsored by Weir Pumps and climbed the ladder of management quickly, looking after his first department by the age of 21. By 26 Brian had left Weirs and secured his first Managing Director position. He draws on the knowledge and experience he gained in a fast-advancing managerial career in industry, and from his success as an entrepreneur in high growth business situations. He has been running companies at Board level for the last 39 years, the last 27 as an entrepreneur.
Brian has lived and worked through five recessions and believes in the philosophy that ‘calm seas never made a skilled sailor’. This experience has added to his belief that businesses have to be fast and agile whilst maintaining strong corporate governance.
Today Brian is Chairman of the 4icg group, NXD at Vert Technologies, NXD at Equity Gap, Director at Tiger Industries and Chairman of Miigen. He has been a finalist three times for non-executive director of the year by the Institute of Directors. In 2016 Brian was recognised by WeDO Entrepreneurs with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to the entrepreneurial community. In 2017 Brian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Glasgow Caledonian University for his contribution to entrepreneurship. Brian has been managing people for over 44 years and today he believes he is the wind beneath the wings of others.
In this episode Brian and I discuss leadership in the context of my eight-part Inspiring Leadership Compass – a statistically proven model, with supporting psychometric assessments and training, for the purpose of transforming C-suite performance, leadership impact and organisational culture. The compass has eight points that demonstrate all the components of a good leader. His top leadership tip for an established business?: make a social contract of mutual respect with every person you meet. This will secure trust and loyalty in those who follow you.
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