Careers UnCovered: Nassim Ghrayeb- CEO of YouGov
Best career advice I ever got Ambition is not about getting ahead faster, it’s about doing everything now passionately.
Favorite Job task I ever had to do Paying out bonuses is always fun, there is nothing that gives me more pleasure than rewarding deserving people, it’s less about the money and more about acknowledging their contribution to our business.
Most dreaded job task I ever had to do That’s an easy one, letting someone go, it is never a pleasure, particularly after investing time and effort in a person only not to see it have any impact. In the long term it works out to the best, at the time it doesn’t feel great.
Best career decision ever made Quitting a flourishing career at a multinational corporate and starting my own business at the age of 29, it was a rush, and I have never looked back.
My Biggest Professional Challenge Maintaining a balance between personal values related to always holding people big, believing in them regardless of failures, keeping the passion alive in the organization and all the while balancing that with board and shareholder demands.
Icons who have influenced my career progression/Role Models Anne Sayers my first boss was great, whenever I would go into a victim mindset, she was ruthless, she’d say “get your finger out and get on with it”, and she was right, there was never any point to dwelling on the negative. Benjamin Zander is a motivational speaker I learned from that its never about management, its always about leadership, and that makes all the difference and there is nothing that is impossible. Mostly, Nirmala, who is my wife, who always reminds me of who I am, and to stay authentic to myself and my instincts.
Most recommended readings (Websites, books) for people interested in my filed of work/ industry Books: The bigger game, The 4 agreements, Leadership and self deception, The New Earth, In search of the Miraculous, Long walk to freedom.
Websites: www.ted.com (I live there), www.thecoaches.com (a life changing leadership program)
In another life, my perfect job would be Why another life :-), every job is a perfect one, it’s all about the attitude with which we approach it, I have made 3 career changes thus far, and have at least another 3 left in me.
A successful career thought/ Motto that I live by (and advise others to consider) Its not about weathering the storm, its about learning to dance in the rain.
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May 21st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Cool site! great presentation, and really great content. Thank you for providing this info - it was just what i was looking for.
May 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Interesting post. You have obviously done the research on this. It can be hard to find decent information about this in my experience. i will bookmark this site and check it out again in the future. thanks
May 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am
hi
Read with interest ..and the site made a good reading as well…more than that your own views and impressions were inspiring..at 29 to be taking an entrepreunerial route is courageous and in your case rewarding which is fair enough.
for coaching ..and the domain of life coaching i feel is still in nascent and evolving..at least in Asian economies..it certainly is.
few more sites that went through and found interesting:
saladltd.co.uk
CTA–and their coaching compass is good too.
A very good read on leadership is a book by couzner and Posses.
But Nassim,on a slightly personal level could you advise me on my next course of action..i am at the cross roads..i happen to be an HR professional with over 22 years of experience..your mail would perhaps help me out..
July 6th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
ready for professional interview
July 6th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Very interesting person with positive thinking and actions!
No wonder you’re a CEO and successful (^_^)
July 14th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
thats the attitude. seldom we can find someone like you. keep up the good work and blessings will shower upon you.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Mr. Nassim,
Thanks for your good suggestions and encouragement. I would like to work with you.
Regards,
Feroz
July 26th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
What wonderful insights Mr Ghrayeb! As a leader, your character determines the character of the organization. Empowering the people will keep your business live long. cheers to you!