Talking heads: Brendon O'Connor

Position: National business development manager

Company: Buddle Findlay

What makes your day at work?


I get a buzz out of being part of a team that's innovative. I like working with committed and talented people who think differently and challenge themselves. Teamwork's a big part of it. It's easy to say teamwork, but it's also easy to underestimate it or get it wrong.

When did you become a manager?


When I was 25. I was promoted to sales and marketing manager of the passenger group at Tranz Rail. At the time it was New Zealand Rail, but it was going through the deregulation and privatisation changes. I was given leadership, planning and budgeting responsibilities, and learned about making positive changes in challenging circumstances. Getting the experience young stood me in good stead.

What was the most important lesson you learned on your way up?


In terms of being a manager, I was told three things: delegate, make decisions, and have fun. I've worked and studied overseas, and those things still ring true. In terms of running a business, being able to anticipate trends and business drivers is important - and then knowing what to do about them.

What has been your best moment in business?


This year I did some consulting work for the Jaguar Formula One team, looking at their commercial and marketing operations. The big thrill was being in the pit lane with them - you don't need to be a car fan to get a buzz out of that. Further back in my career, when I was in rugby, my best moment was the first Super 12 game in 1996. A huge number of young people and females came and I realised we had broken the mould of who went to rugby matches and what they wanted.

How have you dealt with the pitfalls in your career?

By having the attitude that you need to take the lesson and move on. And make sure you don't stress about uncontrollables - instead, I try to do well with what I can control. The third thing has come with maturity - realising I don't have to win every battle.

You have to choose your battles.

What annoys you most?


Every organisation has some form of politics and that's healthy. But when you find yourself devoting too much energy to it and it's distracting you from important issues, that's annoying. .

If you were starting over , what would you be?


I wouldn't mind being a Formula One driver or a professional golfer. I'm conservative by nature, but I respect people who are less risk averse and will take a chance. I come from a rural background in a small town, and I often hanker for that - while it might not appear sexy to people in the corporate world, living in a small town seems appealing at times.

What management wisdom is most overrated?


I look outside conventional management wisdom for ideas and inspiration. I look at people like Madonna - as an innovator there is no one better. I look at Allan Border with respect to self-belief and persistence, and the All Black tradition for teamwork, and passing knowledge down the line. For leadership lessons, look at Shakespeare's Henry V - it's a matter of looking at all these things with the right glasses, and seeing them from a management perspective.

What will be the big business issue of the next decade?


Technology giving power to the people. At the moment it's all about benefits to business.

While that is valid, in years to come it will be the people who get a voice.

There's been a huge improvement in marketing and service standards, but a lot of businesses are still structured around what they make.

New technology will mean they have to be genuinely structured around what the community needs.

How do you relax?

Spending time with my family - I'm married, with a couple of young kids. I love sport, and play golf when I can. I have to keep fit or I go around the twist, so I swim and go to the gym.

* Brendon O'Connor talked to Paula Oliver.