Meet the Member

MEET REBECCA MANDER

What was your first job or role after education?

I wasn’t clever enough to get onto a graduate programme with British Airways, my employer of choice, so I applied for a part time role on check-in at Birmingham Airport!

I got the role that paid £8,000 per annum, did loads of OT and within the year had been promoted to the CEOs office!! That role was super stressful as I was a young woman from check-in so few could see how I could lead a team of assistants to the CEO. I would often cry tears of frustration on my way home from London to Warwickshire…and not because of the M25!

I loved the role and dealing with angry customers was my favourite past time; I learned a lot about excellent customer service and training which has never gone away. And I learned a lot about leadership and how to turn a tough team around…they were very sad when I left to sell doorbells!

Could you describe your career path for the reader?

My Mum ‘poached’ me from BA. She was an amazing leader, and I knew I would learn a lot from her. Also, the commute to Heathrow was not great for me being a newlywed. (Although the Mauritius and Australia honeymoon had been!!)

So, there I was swapping glamourous Waterside for Wharfside in Oldbury and travelling around the UK selling doorbells. Not many women did that in those days so being asked by a guy behind an electrical trade counter if I had any knockers on offer was not a rare occurrence! I soon became Sales Director and I loved, loved, loved leading the team.

My mum - and my grandad before her - showed true compassionate leadership. We were honest and humble leaders that put people, not profits first and feedback was a 24/7 culture so everyone knew where they stood and how they could grow.

In 2007, we suffered enormous personal setback, losing our son Charlie and then my Mum, Penni, our CEO in two separate tragedies. Reeling from this loss we found ourselves landed in the global financial crisis of 2008 and I was invited to be MD!! I was grieving my son, my Mum AND was a new Mum to Ruby our third child and I had no clue how to be an MD! I did however have an incredible team, a culture built over years of compassion and authenticity I had learned from the best leaders. With my team, we grew the company back to health and when I left in 2014 I was confident I had done all I could in that role.

What is your current role and what is your favourite part about it?

I retrained in 2014 at Warwick University as an Executive Coach and put my leadership knowledge to good use; now supporting senior leaders, primarily in the legal sector.

My favourite part is watching a client transform before your eyes over the time you work with them. When they begin to see what they are capable of and they have the confidence to go for it. Seeing shifts in perspectives and empowering great leaders, knowing that it benefits a whole team is truly wonderful. I am not the expert, my client is and helping them see that is so rewarding!

Are you optimistic, realistic or pessimistic about 2021?

Optimistic! Evidence based optimism, not head in the clouds stuff! If we begin to notice the green shoots then the landscape looks far less barren, some of us choose to and some of us don’t. Given my past I have to see the hope based on realistic data too.

What is the most important task you carry out each day?

Make a cup of tea!

What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self about your career journey?

Be authentic, don’t be afraid to displease others in leadership but always be yourself as compassionately and as openly as you can.

Have there been any positives about 2020 and lockdown for you?

My business has flourished, and I have won some amazing clients further afield as online coaching has become far more acceptable. I still am excited about seeing clients face-to-face though, nothing can replace that!

What causes you the most stress at work?

My lack of organisation and frustration at losing things. People think I am efficient and well organised but if they could see my computer and inside my head, they would run a mile!

If you could instantly change one area or thing about your business, what would it be?

I would love to work with another coach or have another retainer. Being a solopreneur can be lonely. I have an incredible PA, Allison and supportive husband that keeps me sane, but I would love to grow the business with other coaches. This time next year maybe…?!

What do you do to unwind?

Nana Naps! 10 -20 minutes of shut down really give me the boost I need! I also love having people round. I am an extrovert so get my energy from others, I love a coffee with a friend or a party with wine…you name it - I will be there!

How can people get in touch with you or connect with you?

My website www.guruyoucoach.com has all the details about what GuruYou is about, and how we can help.

I can be found on LinkedIn: Guruyoucoach or please get in touch via email me at rebecca@guruyoucoach.com