MY CAREER IN SIX SPOTLIGHT

ALISON MORRIS

 GM and SVP Worldpay for Platforms, Australia 

Worldpay

Sharing her career journey by answering the six questions below.

Who or what has been your biggest source of inspiration throughout your career?

It is hard to split between two impactful women in my life. Firstly, my Grandmother who fought so strongly at the age of 16 when her father said she needed to leave school and go to work in the local cigar factory, on the basis that her school report was “too good” for a girl. She fought hard, and eventually was allowed to go back to school and onto University, a big win in 1925! I get my tenacity from her! The second was a female leader who epitomised the challenger approach, but executed in such a way that she brought people along with her! She gave me the courage and inspiration to bravely challenge to drive better outcomes!

Would you say your success is primarily due to luck or hard work?

I truly believe there is not just one driver for success, rather it is the sum of the whole. There is no doubt I have worked hard (I would prefer to call it smart!), and there have certainly been times which could be described as luck. My consistent focus has been on how I can add more value to the organisation, my team, and my colleagues. I have been willing to challenge, to drive transformation, and to focus on high quality execution. Building my brand around these core behaviours has been key to my success.

What is the driving force behind your career aspirations?

I have found that some of the most challenging issues, the ones where I have had to really dig deep, have proven to be the most motivating and inspirational opportunities. I have delivered some challenging initiatives, which initially had detractors or a history of failure, Driving success by looking at issues through a new lens to deliver a successful outcome is highly motivating.

If given the chance to do one thing differently in your career, what would it be and why?

To quell the self limiting “head talk”! I spent much on my early career focussed on where I thought I fell short against my peers, my leader’s expectations, my team’s needs, and so often these thoughts were not reflective of reality!

What was your most favourite job/role and why?

Such a difficult question, as I have had a number of very diverse roles, each with their own challenge and opportunity. Most recently I have taken on a role which has required me to substantially transform the team structure, to refocus the direction of the business and to revive a culture impacted my many months of change and uncertainty. To pull together a focussed ELT, build a common and clear focus, and transform the sales function has been a significant effort, but so rewarding! I feel the best is still to come.

Do you have a favourite motto or quote that guides your professional life?

“If not now, when. If not me, who.” This always centres me when I find myself in ongoing conversations which seem to get no closer to solving the issue! Accountability and focus are integral to my leadership style.