Personal File: Ross Hunter

Full name: Ross Michael Hunter.

Date and place of birth: May 14, 1964, in Western Australia.

Occupation: CEO, Harveys Real Estate (NZ).

Residence: Parnell, Auckland.

Qualifications: Trade certificates in mechanical studies and mechanical engineering, diploma in business management in progress.

Domestic situation: Live with partner Lisa - no kids or pets.

What excites you about your job? I have always had a love for real estate and have worked in the industry since I was 25. However the most exciting aspect of my job is being in the position to shape and grow the company and its people. What annoys you about your job? Watching people unable to recognise their potential and therefore wasting it. So many people seem to underestimate themselves or lack the desire to make the most of their talents.



How did you get to where you are today? By knowing what I wanted. I entered the real estate industry when I was 25 and knew it was where I belonged. At that point I wrote down a goal to own my own franchise network by the time I was 40; I did it at 38. I always had a strong desire to be a leader.

How do you describe your personality? I think I'm a pretty amiable guy. I am very driven and I enjoy motivating others. I asked a colleague how she would describe me for the purpose of this article and she said dynamic, fair and immensely likeable, with a good sense of humour. But of course modesty prevents me from repeating this ...

What is the single most important lesson you have learned in business? That no man is an island. You're only as good as the people you surround yourself with.

Do you have a business hero? I have two - the first [Virgin empire boss] Richard Branson. He's not your stereotypical businessman - he's driven by raw passion for his ideas and goes with his gut every time.

The second is a family friend, Tom O'Brien. Tom started out as a telegraph boy and built a hugely successful transport company in Western Australia. He got there by never losing sight of his values or his vision and by working damn hard.

He's also never lost sight of the value of a dollar, and despite his success still lives in the home he built for his family in 1961.

If you could change one aspect of NZ business, what would it be? The lack of deep-seated self-belief that seems all too prevalent. This country is highly innovative and competes very well internationally, yet many companies seem to limit themselves. Sir Peter Blake provided an example that businesses would do well to emulate - he set his sights high against enormous international competition, and wouldn't entertain any doubt about achieving his goal.



How have you dealt with pitfalls in your career? I have always maintained what I call my CCV - crystal-clear vision. There will always be pitfalls. The people who are successful have a vision they cannot be distracted from.

What's the best piece of advice you can give others wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Know in your heart what you want and don't let anyone tell you you can't do it. It would be very difficult to attain a leadership role without a strong desire and ability. Leadership is taken, not given.

What are your rules for hiring people? I look for enthusiasm and passion in potential employees.

What's the key to managing difficult people? Understand the type of person they are, accept that, and work within those parameters. If you could live in another country, which would it be? Italy. My grandmother and mother are Italian, so I've spent some time there and absolutely adore it.

What are your top five values?

Hard work, openness (transparency, as I prefer to call it), integrity, honesty and family.

How do you relax? My favourite ways to relax are playing golf or windsurfing. You also can't beat a blend of good wine and good music.

What's your greatest personal indulgence? The money I spend on clothes and the hours I spend on the golf course.

What books are you reading? Happiness in a Material World by the Dalai Lama. I was also reading one about car racer Enzo Ferrari, which I accidentally left in an airport trolley.

If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be? I would have gone to university - something I still plan to do.

Had you not been a CEO, what would you like to have been? A surgeon. I have always been fascinated by how the human body works, and love to read books and watch shows on the subject.