On this episode of Authentic Leadership I have the pleasure of speaking with Grant McBeath who is the Customer Director at Spark New Zealand.

About Grant McBeath

As Customer Director at Spark New Zealand, Grant is a part of the organisation’s Leadership Squad. Grant leads the customer facing teams across the Spark Business Group and Consumer Channels and is focussed on creating an environment where teams can thrive and deliver amazing customer outcomes.

Prior to working for Spark, Grant held a number of global roles at Nokia throughout Asia, and other global roles with Chevron Texaco, Coca-Cola and Cadbury in NZ. Grant completed a BCom at Auckland University, and also completed his MBA from the Helsinki School of Economics.

Our Conversation

I first met Grant several years ago when I conducted a series of Storytelling workshops across Spark. Over the last six months I have been working with him and a selection of his team on Thought Leadership. What immediately struck me about Grant was his vulnerability and authenticity when interacting with his team. Subsequently, he is greatly respected across his team.

It was then somewhat of a surprise to me, that perfectionism is his Achilles’ heel. After realising that this was having a negative impact on his leadership, he decided to lean into vulnerability.

For any leader that is still thinking that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness or that you have to have all the answers, I urge you to listen to this, at times quite emotional, podcast.

Grant is a living example that perfect leaders aren’t real and real leaders aren’t perfect.

Authentic Leadership Podcast

To listen to my previous podcasts, subscribe to my series on iTunes or access them via Soundcloud. I would also love to hear your suggestions for CEOs that live and breathe Authentic Leadership. Contact us if you have someone in mind that we can invite to be part of the Authentic Leadership Podcast.