16th November, 2023
The Power of Positivity in the face of Adversity - Event Takeaways
'Twas A Night of Insightful Conversations
At a recent event hosted by the vibrant Amanda Glacken, Division Director at Parity Consulting Commercial, the stage was set for an engaging evening filled with valuable insights.
The spotlight of the evening was on the special guest speaker, Victor Leung, Chief Marketing Officer at Basiq, whose journey through challenges and triumphs left the audience inspired.
Victor took us on a remarkable journey from overcoming language barriers as a 5-year-old immigrant to navigating a diverse career spanning various industries. His insights on resilience and seizing opportunities were both inspiring and practical. Read on to see how Victor managed himself and his career through the ups and the downs.
Victor's early years were marked by the daunting experience of moving to a new country where he couldn't speak English beyond 'yes' and 'no'. Despite the challenges during his early school years, he persevered.
Ultimately, his journey led him to become a strong leader, master marketer, teacher and mentor at the University of Sydney.
From Startups to Global Leadership Programs
Victor's career path ventured into both B2B and B2C industries.
Inspired by Simon Sinek's book "Start with Why," he explored what was really important to him in his career and in life. And embarked on a startup journey, creating a global website catering to visitors in Sydney during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
This led him into his first corporate role in several online travel ventures, and of course experiencing the highs and lows of the dot-com era.
Adapting to Change
As the world faced the impact of Sept 11, Victor found himself at a crossroads. His journey led him to a role in B2C, where he developed skills and marked his presence in conferences around search and social media.
Transitioning to financial services, he played a pivotal role in Equifax's transformation from private equity owned to ASX listing and ultimately acquisition.
The Unforeseen Challenge
After these rewarding and transformative 10 years, Victor's career hit an unexpected turn in 2019 when his role was made redundant.
Initially, he took this in his stride, took some time out to go travelling, read loads of books and continued teaching.
Then, in early 2020, along came the Covid-19. This brought unforeseen challenges with the pandemic, testing his resolve and prompting reflection on his true purpose.
It was a daunting time, not knowing what he would do next. After applying for 40-50 roles, facing rejection, and navigating uncertainty, he emphasised the importance of staying connected.
Through his darkest days, Victor found solace in teaching, mentoring, and staying connected with his network. The experience prompted reflection on his values and priorities, leading to a career shift that aligns with his passion for teaching and mentorship.
In the face of a challenging job market, Victor's experience resonated with many of our guests.
What Kept Him Going?
He still believed he had something to give and there was an organisation he could help
He remained in constant dialog with is network
He thought about things in the way is the glass half full or empty
Every rejection letter was step closer to the next job
He stuck to a daily routine including exercising, reading and investing, and he kept this up for over a year
Then, in February 2021, though his network, he landed a new role.
And this just reinforced his self-belief, the power of persistence, and how luck and seizing opportunities can come together when you stay positive.
Final Thoughts and Advice: Creating Your Own Luck and Embracing Change
As Victor wrapped up his journey, he left us with valuable insights. He encouraged staying connected, valuing face-to-face interactions at events, and maintaining a positive mindset.
Rejections are not setbacks but steps closer to the next opportunity. While luck plays a role, a proactive approach and seizing opportunities are keys to creating your own luck.
If You Need Support While Between Roles
Putting your career plans on paper can provide a clear visual representation of what your next steps should be.
The team at Parity has put together a Career Roadmap worksheet to help you do this. You can get the full "How To" and a copy of the worksheet here.
About Amanda Glacken, Division Director at Parity Consulting Commerce
Amanda is a Division Director at Parity Consulting. Born in the UK, Amanda relocated to Australia over 20 years ago and hasn’t looked back. With over 25 years recruitment experience, Amanda still absolutely loves what she does – meeting inspiring and innovative people and filling a variety of roles across Product Management, Marketing and Communications in the Fintech and Digital sectors. Amanda has a well-established network and reputation – people love working with her because of her genuine enthusiasm, authenticity, diligence, and exemplary work ethic.
