Career Insights with Ambition Episode 3 Philip Knight “I am the product of the sum of my mistakes”
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Career Insights with Ambition, host Chris Crolla interviews Philip Knight, the CFO of The Boathouse Group. They discuss Philip's journey from Ireland to Australia, the opportunities available in the Australian job market, and the importance of mentorship and learning from mistakes. Philip shares valuable insights on career development, staying true to oneself, and the significance of taking initiative in one's career. He emphasizes that success comes from hard work, learning from experiences, and being open to new opportunities.
Phil emphasised the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising personal ethics, even when faced with challenging situations. Phil recounted a time when he was promoted to CFO but soon encountered conflicts with the CEO. Despite the pressure, he chose to remain honest and true to his values, ultimately deciding to leave the role. This decision underscored his belief in maintaining integrity and being comfortable with saying no when necessary, which he advises all accountants to uphold.
Want to follow in Phil’s footsteps? Are you asking yourself how do I become a CFO?
Phil’s Words of Wisdom:
Phil Knight shared insightful advice for aspiring accountants during the interview. He emphasised the value of gaining a wide range of experiences early in one's career by tackling various tasks, even those beyond traditional accounting roles. Phil urged young accountants to be proactive, seize new opportunities, and continually seek growth and learning. He underscored the importance of understanding the broader business environment, not just the accounting details, to become more commercially astute. Phil also highlighted the concept of extreme ownership, encouraging accountants to take full responsibility for their work and career progression. Additionally, he recommended observing and learning from colleagues, adopting their positive practices, and learning from their mistakes.
If you’re aspiring to become a CFO, contact one of our expert recruiters to find out more.
This article was written by Career Insights with Ambition's host Chris Crolla, Director of Ambition, Sydney. Chris started his recruitment career as a resourcer in internal audit back in 2011, and has worked his way up. Chris now leads the Sydney teams including accounting support, qualified finance, and technology & transformation. Chris provides unequivocal support, guidance, coaching, and direction. A keen sports fan, and proud husband and father, he’s passionate about building better futures for the leaders of tomorrow.
