Stand out and succeed: Leadership tips for Risk & Compliance - Tara Laybutt
As part of our ongoing commitment to our specialist communities, we interview accomplished leaders on a monthly basis to bring you insights on their career progression and advice that will help you progress your career further.
Tara is the Chief Risk Officer for Allianz Australia, reporting to the CEO. She has extensive experience in guiding the risk functions of large, financial services companies through complex and challenging periods. Tara joined from Deloitte Australia, where she was a Partner, Risk Advisory, responsible for leading teams servicing global financial services businesses. Prior to this, she spent over four years at Westpac where she served in her last role as the acting chief audit executive.
1. What factors do you think have been critical to the success you have achieved in your career?
My willingness to take any opportunity presented to me, even when it wasn't particularly clear what it might entail and/or where it might lead. You always learn something new, you always can have an impact and you always can change your mind, but opportunities don't come up all the time and so you need to grab them when you can.
I also think that working part-time for a long time (3 days a week for five years, then 3.5 days per week for five years, then 4 days per week spread over five for a few years) means I became very efficient - because I had to be. I can prioritise what documents I read, and who I spend time with and along the way figure out how to get stuff done.
Most importantly, stakeholder management, and change management. Always remember the What’s in it for me (WIIFM) approach. What is in it for the stakeholder? What are they fearful of and preempt that so that you can have empathy and listen and then respond appropriately, showing you've heard their concern and you have considered it and acted.
2. What's the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career and how did it help you?
Take time out for yourself. You need to have time to think strategically, and get out of the details to look from the balcony.
3. What's the most challenging situation you have faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
Being a working mum is definitely the most challenging situation. I was lucky to work part-time and my husband works part-time too so that we could be there for the kids whilst having meaningful careers.
Sometimes you can't overcome the challenges when you are meant to be in two places at the same time!!
4. If you were starting your career now, what would you do differently?
Seek advice from more experienced people as mentors when I was facing career decisions, turning points, or difficult situations - I would ask for help and I would say no more.
