Self-confidence booster

How have past Young Executive of the Year winners fared? ANGELA McCARTHY reports.

The Young Executive of the Year award, set up by New Zealand Institute of Management and Management magazine, has been running for eight years.

It is designed to celebrate young leaders who demonstrate leadership qualities of innovation, teamwork and communication, says sponsor NZIM's national chairman, Doug Matheson.

"We want people who can provide inspiration and be a role model for our young management trainees."

So what has happened to past winners, and did the award assist their careers?

Dr Richard Templer has just been appointed general manager, research and development for Meat and Wool Innovation.

He was a 34-year-old automation systems team manager for Industrial Research when he won the award.

It "gave me the chance to present my work and publish articles on the management of innovation to a number of organisations, as well as network and make new friends with committed New Zealanders.

"It has also given me the chance to further develop my business skills."

Philosophy: "To make a positive difference for my clients, my team, my company and my country in everything I do."

Joseph Thomas, CEO of the Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust, and still in that post.

The award, when he was 33, gained him "recognition in both central government and the private sector, which has added integrity to what I do. It also put the Chathams in the spotlight".

Philosophy: "To make a substantial contribution to an organisation that exists for the benefit of all Chatham Islands residents.

"Eventually I will consider mainland [New Zealand] options to further my professional development - and so my wife and I can be with our two children, who will be attending secondary school in the next few years."

Oscar Nathan, general manager of Tourism Rotorua, and still in that job.

The award, when he was 27, "has given me confidence in my own ability and a focus on achievement for aspiring Maori.

"From an industry perspective, it has been great recognition of the role that regional tourism and local government play in the tourism sector of New Zealand."

Philosophy: "To succeed, you need to genuinely appreciate the efforts of those around you and encourage them to do their best. The environment you create will do the rest."

No award made.

1997: Sue Lindsay, director/owner of Achievers NZ, a personal and corporate coaching programme.

She was 33, and general manager of Combined Rural Traders Southland, now known as Landbase Trading Society, when she won the award: "It provided the opportunity to take some of my own dreams and passions further."

Philosophy: "I believe personal and business success relies on our ability to create great relationships, follow our passions and realise our dreams.

"The challenge isn't having the dream, but turning that dream into a plan.

"Accomplished and successful people have developed a clearly-defined vision of their dream, of what they want their life to be."

1996: Steven Ruru, chief executive for the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

When he won the award in 1996, he was 35 and general manager, hospital and specialist services, for Midland Regional Health Authority.

The award was "acknowledgment that there are good people and interesting challenges in the public sector as well as the private sector. That was important to me."

Philosophy: "Your work life needs to be about having fun and enjoying challenges that come.

"If you don't enjoy what you're doing, then you're not receptive to learning and growing as an individual, or to making a difference that is meaningful to you and your organisation."

Philip Routhan, owner of WH Shannon, a national plumbing franchise company, which he has owned since 1980.

He was 34 when he was recognised. "Involvement with the NZIM was the best thing that could have happened to my career because it opened up new opportunities, including a new support network and flow of up-to-date business information."

Philosophy: "Do it once, do it well. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

Chris O'Reilly, Restaurant Brands' general manager of KFC New Zealand.

He was the 28-year-old CEO of Christchurch Transport when he won, and the recognition "gave me more belief in my own philosophies and made me conscious of the need for humility".

Philosophy: "You ask external customers what they want and internal customers [staff] how best those wants can be achieved.

"It's important that people have ownership. A leader's role is to unleash people's potential, not drive it."