With an honours degree in civil engineering, an executive MBA from IE business school, and a wealth of qualifications in company directorship and finance, Julie brings a unique blend of technical expertise and practical experience to her work.
Read on to get to know Julie's journey from a civil engineer to a company director.
Have you had any formal training or family business?
I have an honors degree in Civil Engineering, an Executive MBA from IE business school, a postgraduate diploma in applied finance and investment, and both a diploma and an advanced diploma in Company Directorship.
How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what was the process of turning that idea into a reality?
Initially, I intended to pursue a full-time portfolio of board positions. I was invited by several boards to run workshops for them on how they could practice strategic planning and was then invited by the Australian Institute of Company Director to develop and deliver board and director training.
Over time I found that I had developed a thriving practice in board advisory and director education. That continues to be my prime area of business today, alongside a part-time portfolio of directorships.
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company, and what have been some of the key lessons you've learned along the way?
I’ve learned the value of humility and sharing the lessons from my mistakes in order to help others to avoid them.
Can you tell us about a time when you faced a major setback or failure in your business, and how you overcame it?
At one point I was generating 80% of my consulting revenue through an institution. They had a change of personnel and the new manager decided to bring in their own trusted consultants. Overnight, I lost 70% of that revenue.
I had to pluck up the courage and start to be more direct in selling to individual company boards rather than relying on the institution selling for me. Now, I would not allow a single client to be more than 25% of my revenue and would be able to survive that loss; then it was almost earth-shattering.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
I love what I do. I truly believe that every board can add value and that good director and board education has a role to play in helping directors to be more impactful.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business?
I set aside time every day to do something just for me. Usually, it is a visit to the gym but it can also be a walk or run, or a massage.
The one non-negotiable is that I don’t make phone calls or read emails during that hour. It is for me to enjoy being in my body and thinking my own thoughts.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and how do you see yourself evolving as a founder and leader?
I am hopeful that the business will continue to grow. I have made a policy decision that it is my practice rather than a separately incorporated business that will outlive me.
That gives me the freedom to concentrate on doing (and extracting savings) rather than growing or hiring staff to do the core work.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Relax!
What's the most unconventional thing you've done to grow your business, and what was the result?
I became a professional speaker and wrote seven books (two professionally published, the rest self-published). Both of these took me out of my comfort zone and cemented my authority as a leader within my sphere of expertise.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from a failure, and how have you applied it to your business?
Never rely on a single client for most of your revenue. Always trust in your ability to create and deliver value for your clients.
What's the most meaningful compliment or feedback you've ever received from a customer, and why did it resonate with you?
I have often heard that I made boards think differently about their role and about how directors could relate to each other. I love to know that I have helped them to lead their companies.
If you had to choose one thing that makes your company truly unique and sets it apart from the competition, what would it be, and why?
It would be my practical experience on boards as well as my deep technical expertise and relevant recent qualifications. I invest in ongoing education to keep my brand ahead of the ‘usual’ consultants and at the elite level.
Find Julie Garland McLellan on social media:
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/juliegarlandmclellan
Instagram - thedirectorsdilemma
Facebook – www.facebook.com/JulieGarlandMcLellan
Hope you enjoyed reading Julie Garland McLellan's story!
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