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Joff Sharpe is currently COO of British Land plc; he founded Storey Spaces Ltd at British Land Plc; and was previously COO of Revolver.com at News Inc. Never one to settle for ordinary, he began his career in the Army where he served in the SAS and spent a year living amongst the headhunters of Borneo. Author of ‘Who Dares Wins in Business’, Joff’s civilian career has seen him involved in the turn-around of private PE backed companies and many executive/NED roles.
We took some time to sit down with him and discuss how businesses can dig deeper for success…
How important is it for senior business people to hear the experiences of others to shape their own decision making?
It helps. At the same time, markets and technologies are changing so fast that it’s rarely a simple matter of ‘cut ‘n paste’, even in similar businesses. You have to dig a little deeper to understand the underlying principles that supported success or precipitated failure.
How has knowledge sharing about experiences helped you and the decisions you have made in your career?
I love reading biographical books like Shoe Dog by Phil Knight of Nike, Maverick by Ricardo Semler – the Brazilian who allows workers to set their own personal pay – or the writings of the late Sir David Tang. Their out-of-the-box thinking makes business exciting and fun (in a way you don’t get from the Annual Report).
How important is the information you receive as a Board member from the FD to assist you in making a commercial decision?
The best FD’s analyse the situation and lay out creative go-forward options. Technical knowledge is a base-line requirement these days. FD’s need to do more than report raw data and rely on control, especially when it’s clear that more radical strategic thought is required.
What has inspired you to make the best decisions?
I always surround myself with people who are better than me; cleverer, more technically proficient, more patient or creative. Then I listen very carefully to what they have to say. It improves my decision-making hit-rate considerably. My first right-hand was my infantry platoon sergeant with whom I served in Northern Ireland. Before he joined the Army he was the drummer of Judas Priest, the heavy metal band.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Compared to some, my achievements are thin on the ground. But I’ve created two businesses from scratch, written books, built a house and raised a family. The unifying theme is creation – leaving behind some kind of legacy which wouldn’t exist but for one’s efforts. I’m also proud to have served in the SAS.
What makes a good leader?
Care a lot; about outcomes, teams, individuals. And don’t forget to put yourself last in the lunch queue. Put more simply, see what politicians do – and then do the opposite.
What simple steps could policy makers take to help advance the cause for women in the boardroom?
Give men and women an equal chance to fail. I got this idea from Dame Carolyn McCall when discussing Easyjet talent management. It sounds cranky, but it’s very insightful.
What are your key learnings from your career so far?
Read my book ‘Who Dares Wins in Business’ and you will find out. What surprises me now is that the learning process only intensifies rather than diminishes with age.
What is the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
The reasonable person adapts themselves to the world; the unreasonable person persists in trying to adapt the world to themselves. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable person. (George Bernard Shaw – admittedly, the advice wasn’t delivered in person).
You’ve worked in a multitude of different roles both commercially and in the forces. What’s next for you?
Colonel Harland Sanders founded $23Bn KFC at age 62. I’m only 56. There’s no rush.
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