Feeling Supported is Everything

There have been so many people that have helped and supported me in my career, and they fit into three groups, role models, team, and cheer leaders. 

I have been lucky to have some great role models. It started with my dad. He would never just do something for me, he would help me to do it myself. Everything from decorating to changing the wheel on the car when I had a puncture, patiently teaching me how, well mainly patiently, not so much on the learning to drive! He taught me I could do whatever I tried hard enough to do. He did not just fix things he gave me skills, made me strong and independent. I have had lots of bosses over the years, and they all taught me something, some by showing me the kind of leader I wanted to be and others by showing me the kind of leader I definitely did not want to be.  The good ones invested time in mentoring me, developed my confidence, challenged me to go out of my comfort zone. They sat on their hands and watched me fail then helped me pick the pieces up and try again until I succeeded. I remember them all and I try the best I can to be the kind of leader that inspired me. 

Team is everything. Without the right team you are nothing. I had a job where I was not unhappy, but I was not happy either, I was not thriving I was just going through the motions. I wish I had realised sooner that it was because I just did not fit. That does not mean the other people were wrong and I was right. I just did not fit; they were not my team, and I was not where I was supposed to be.   

You need the right balance of people with different strengths and skills that come together to form a whole. The team need to share the same vision, the same values, they need to offer strong support and strong challenge.  It is only when you are part of the right team that you can thrive. I joined Delt 4 years ago, on a 12-month fixed term maternity cover contract, now I am CFO. I think I have found my team! 

Where would any of us be without our cheerleaders? The people in our lives that are always there giving encouragement, picking us up when we fall down, celebrating our successes, a sounding board, a shoulder to cry on, the bringers of wine. Our nearest and dearest that make it all worthwhile.  

So many people have helped me get this far and I cannot thank them enough. Somewhere up there I hope a proud dad looks on. Now the hard work and the challenge continues. I still have so much to learn and a very big role to continue to grow into. Being CFO anywhere is a privilege, being CFO at Delt is an even bigger one because of what we do and who we do it for. 

Karen Morris, Chief Financial Officer