Name: Ruth Harrison

Title: Executive Global Lead Retail & Consumer Goods

Organisation: Avanade

At Avanade, my focus as Global Industry Lead in Retail & Consumer Goods centers on strategizing innovative solutions that drive growth and transformation. With a career dedicated to new business development and business innovation, my role involves supporting board execs in their understanding of emerging technology, demonstrating ROI, and collaborating with their leadership teams to revolutionise the consumer experience, leveraging cutting-edge technology.

Serving on the Industry Advisory Board at Newcastle College, I contribute to shaping the future of tech education, underpinning the importance of digital arts and strategy consulting in the curriculum. My mission is to empower organizations by harnessing the potential of strategic innovations and fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity in the tech landscape.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Ruth's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Throughout my career, I've consistently sought to balance maintaining a competitive edge in a dynamic business landscape with prioritizing initiatives that deliver tangible business value. This involves managing varying levels of resources, skilled personnel, available capital, time, and technological capabilities.

True satisfaction lies in successfully navigating these variables to consistently meet business goals. The challenge of gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage has been the most rewarding aspect of my extensive retail career.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have been fortunate to have a long and fulfilling career. The transition from manager to leader is often subtle, marked by the need to take risks and make decisions that significantly impact business outcomes and the people within your teams.

Leadership is challenging; it requires courage to take risks and make difficult decisions, especially during tough times. Ten years into my leadership journey, I pursued an MBA, which enhanced my ability to present business cases compellingly and succinctly to executive audiences. These skills continue to shape my approach to problem-solving, influencing, and building advocacy today.

In truth, I believe I became a leader before receiving any official title or recognition. My pragmatic and analytical nature drives me to evaluate risk and reward, effort and trade-offs automatically. Over the years, I have intentionally developed this skill, always considering the impact on employees, clients, and customers in my decisions. Being thorough and intentional in my leadership actions has helped build my credibility, reputation, and success.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

As a planner, I meticulously review my weekly and daily schedules to ensure I meet my commitments and obligations to colleagues, clients, and my family. I typically focus on one or two major tasks each day, understanding that unexpected events may arise. Adaptability is crucial in today's business environment.

My days are often filled with numerous smaller tasks that contribute to my objectives or assist colleagues in achieving theirs. Each task is purposeful and part of a larger goal, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail.

I find it challenging to disconnect from work, though I am striving to improve in this area. Working into the early evening helps me stay on track and ahead of my responsibilities. I often end my day contemplating the tasks for the following day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Experience is not necessarily indicative of future success, as technological advancements have significantly altered the business landscape. While my previous achievements will guide my future endeavors, it is my capacity to comprehend, adopt, and leverage the latest technologies that will ensure my continued relevance. I believe the integration of predictive technologies with practical experience will be a transformative approach to future leadership.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Despite all the academic books I read for my MBA, the book that has had the most profound impact on me isn't a business book. It's an old gardening book that belonged to my grandmother, now out of print. My copy is well-worn, filled with her pencil notes and additional papers detailing outcomes, successes, and advice on avoiding pitfalls and failure.

I cherish this book for its beautiful illustrations, rich history, wisdom, and shared learnings. It guides readers through the journey of preparation, planning, patience, and achieving results. Though my grandmother wasn't a businesswoman, she excelled in everything she did. With practice, she improved, gained experience, and achieved better outcomes. Ironically, this book embodies the human model of AI today: laying the foundations, gathering information, determining outcomes, learning, refining, and repeating.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Aim to be an authentic leader. Embrace technology as it enhances your productivity, intuition, and capacity for significant change.

Engage authentically to be a great leader. People follow, respect, and respond to those they trust. Remember, trust is difficult to build but easy to lose.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? This is a challenging question, as my career has been filled with numerous learning opportunities. However, a recurring observation is that, despite experiencing similar events such as recessions and financial crises multiple times, the dynamics and context are always unique. Thus, each situation is 'the same but different'.