Women in Leadership - Louise Langridge

Louise Langridge, Joint Managing Director of our Sydney office shares her success stories with us.

Tell us about yourself
Having grown up in the UK I qualified with a Bachelor in Management Science from Leeds University in 1996. Once graduated, I started my career as a Logistics analyst and was fortunate to work closely with the head of distribution to identify business opportunities for efficiency gains across the end to end supply chain. Although this role gave me a great insight into business, it made me realise I wanted to be in a more people focused role and I decided to enjoy some international travel before starting my career in recruitment. After three successful years in London I emigrated to Australia to start my life down under. Fourteen years on, I’m well and truly settled in Sydney with two children, a great network of family and friends, and I’m running a successful and growing business at Morgan McKinley.

How do you motivate yourself, and stay motivated?
I am ridiculously goal orientated. I have always had a clear plan of where I am going and how I am going to get there. For me, a clear goal and celebrating success along the way keeps me motivated. I also love to build relationships with people and I am always looking at the future to assess what is possible. I find that surrounding myself with interesting people that challenge my thinking and give me a different perspective is always motivating.

Describe a challenge you have faced, and how you have had to "make it happen"?
I think when running any business, there are always challenges that you will face on a daily basis. Regardless of what the challenge is my approach is usually the same. I think approaching each new challenges with a positive mindset that there is a solution to be found and it is a case of working through the options makes no challenge feel insurmountable and usually results in a positive outcome.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having just turned forty, which is quite a milestone in itself, I have thought a lot about what I have achieved to this point in my life. When I look back I am most proud of my life as it stands today. I am surrounded by a great family and good friends, I run a successful business with my partner in crime Vanessa, and I feel like I live life to the full every day.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
In your career start thinking about where you are headed early on, and what your personal brand stands for. Make sure you surround yourselves with mentors that can show you how and sponsors that can make it happen. Back yourself and don't be afraid to take a chance.

If you had advice for your 18 year old self, what would it be?
Don't sweat the small stuff. Think about what is important and those that you need to influence to get the best outcome, and don't be afraid to take a risk, nothing is impossible. Live by your your values do what you feel is right. Live, laugh and love.

How has Morgan McKinley supported your career as a female?
Morgan McKinley has been a fantastic business to work for as a female leader. From the outset, although it was unusual, Vanessa and I were hired as a joint MD team to set up and run the Australian operations. Despite what could have been perceived as a risk, Morgan McKinley has always backed us and respected the complementary elements we bring that have made our partnership so strong. This has worked well for us both on a personal level and has allowed us the opportunity to run and grow a successful business whilst both starting families and being confident the business is in safe hands. We now both have two children each and work a four day week which has allowed us the balance and flexibility to make life work on all fronts. This support has been key to our success and the success of the Australian business, and we have been able to grow year upon year, despite challenging market conditions.