Top business bosses reveal the one key trait to succeed
Founders and CEOs from Charlotte Tilbury, Beauty Pie, Lloyds Banking Group, and Reed share essential career advice on attitude, curiosity, and AI.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Six top business leaders reveal the ultimate secret to getting hired and getting ahead.
- Attitude and curiosity matter far more than having a flawless CV.
- Experts share advice on adapting to AI recruitment and showcasing your value.
Standing out in a crowded workplace is no easy feat, but what is the true secret behind career success? Six business founders and leaders have stepped forward to share the qualities they look for most when hiring and the advice they give to people trying to get ahead in their professional journeys.
Charlotte Tilbury, founder of her eponymous beauty brand, states that a major driving force in her career has been refusing to let others set limits on what she can achieve. She recommends treating setbacks not as mistakes, but as opportunities to rethink and improve, noting that facing challenges ultimately builds stronger business leadership.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, Charlie Bowes-Lyon, co-founder of deodorant brand Wild, asserts that attitude matters far more than possessing a flawless set of skills. One practical tip he suggests for job seekers is to ask interviewers what success in the role actually looks like.
Context and Analysis: In today's rapidly shifting job market where automation and technology play an increasing role, soft skills like emotional intelligence and adaptability have become crucial differentiators that top executives look for beyond traditional hard skills. Asking strategic questions during an interview demonstrates genuine engagement and an understanding of organizational goals, qualities that automated screening tools cannot easily measure.
Marcia Kilgore, the serial entrepreneur behind Beauty Pie and Soap and Glory, highlights curiosity as a primary quality she looks for during recruitment. She values individuals who are willing to roll up their sleeves, ask questions, and think about how they can be useful. Furthermore, she stresses that good communication is crucial, as communication breakdowns are often the root cause of professional failures.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Anabel Kindersley, CEO and co-owner of Neal's Yard Remedies, advises that one of the best ways to build skills is to keep saying yes to new opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable. She also emphasizes the importance of absolute honesty about one's experience and valuing emotional intelligence (EQ) just as much as intellectual intelligence (IQ).
Charlie Nunn, group chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, values curiosity, resilience, and a growing willingness to embrace future AI tools alongside teamwork. Finally, James Reed, chairman and CEO of recruitment firm Reed, warns applicants against focusing solely on what an employer can do for them, advising them instead to mirror job descriptions in their applications so that human recruiters and AI technologies can clearly spot the match.
Source: BBC Business
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