09. Why you need to use big firm thinking to grow your people practice, with Flinder’s Chief Dreamer Alastair Barlow

“That’s two good traits of a leader – to listen to what other people are saying and to ask questions and to challenge them.” – Alastair Barlow

This week I am catching up with Alastair Barlow, Chief Dreamer at Flinder.  Alastair shares his insights on taking big four strategic thinking when starting a practice, and how he and business partner Luke made the move from PWC to making on their own... Alastair shares the DNA running through Flinder, building a team fast and tells us about his rebellious side...

What You Will Learn:

- How Alistair Barlow took what he learnt at PwC into his own business, Flinder

- How Flinder was conceptualized

- How to nurture and build a team around your values

- The qualities of a good leader

- Questions a good leader should ask

Thought for this episode – Questions to ask when it comes to leadership

If you have a process in place, start to ask why. “Why do we do that? Is it necessary?” Start to ask, “What next? How can we make this better?”

What questions could you be asking? If you’re running your own business, if you’re freelancing, if you’re working for yourself, start asking questions. See how you can push boundaries.

Resources mentioned in episode

Rebel Talent by Francesca Gino

Connect with Alastair Barlow

Alastair Barlow’s LinkedIn

Alastair Barlow’s Twitter

Alastair Barlow’s Instagram

Follow Flinder

Flinder website

Flinder on Twitter

Flinder on Facebook

Flinder on Instagram

Quotes

“We left very good, promising careers at PwC, and it wasn’t on a whim. It was on a very structured plan / blueprint / vision. We knew what we were doing in terms of executing it and where we wanted to get to.” – Alastair Barlow

“One of the gaps we say was, when we were working with one of these very entrepreneurial business, but the values didn’t align internally and externally as to who we were working with.” – Alastair Barlow

“We did have some of our peers say to both of us that we were crazy and didn’t know what we were doing. But we had absolute certainty of what we were going to achieve.” – Alastair Barlow

“It’s difficult, isn’t it, when finding a partner. It’s almost like another marriage.” – Host

“I always challenge. I always try and put forward, always question, and never really settle.” – Alastair Barlow

“I think one of the hardest things about growing a business is people.” – Alastair Barlow

“We have four values in our business – entrepreneurial, authenticity, tenacity and excellence.” – Alastair Barlow

“We set our objectives by the values of the business as well.” – Alastair Barlow

“Leadership is about raising the people around you up. It’s not about you. It’s about the responsibility you have to other people.” – Alex

“leadership sounds like questioning.” – Alastair Barlow

“Leadership is always about pushing the boundaries and taking that next step.” – Alex