Name: Donal Kilalea
Title: CEO/partner/president
Length of time in position: Four years
Previous jobs
1999- 2002:
Partner/COO Promoseven Network
1986-1999:
Partner ,CEO Fortune Promoseven Dubai
Who was your first CEO?
Tony Quantrill, HQO Manchester UK
What three things did he teach you?
• He had the ability to delegate
• He took risks on people
• He recognised good talent
What were his/her best and worst words of advice?
He was very supportive of all the efforts.
How have you applied this to how you work today?
The key to being a good CEO is making quick decisions and then sticking to them. People don’t want a cogitator for a leader they want decisions. Empower the team because one person cannot run a company. You have to take risks on people as well and accept that there will be mistakes. Listen, and don’t favour anyone.
Name one example when you have made a difference to your business:
Hopefully recognising talent and seeing them grow and succeed.
What makes a good CEO?
• Appreciate people; it is not all about money. Support them to the fullest
• Take risks
• A good CEO will take the blame but spread the glory
What three things should a CEO never do?
• Don’t blame your people
• Don’t hesitate
• Don’t take sides — you have to be open to everything and everyone
In a few words, what advice would you have for an aspiring CEO?
Accept that you are the one in the firing line; accept that people look to you for inspiration and belief; accept that you are not going to make friends with your employees — they look to you to lead and not to be a friend; and you have to be hard and soft at different times — friendship does not come into it.
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