How I Succeeded is a regular series on Lifehacker where we ask business leaders for the secrets and tactics behind their success. Today: Scott Leader, vice president at Box, Australia and New Zealand.
Current gig: Vice President, Box, Australia & New Zealand
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Current mobile device: iPhone X, Apple Watch + iPad Pro (Yes, I’m a huge Apple fan!)
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Current computer:MacBook Air
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One word that best describes how you work: Collaboratively
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What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Box! Predictable answer right… however… I really couldn’t function properly without Box. I work on content everyday, so I spend a lot of time in the app, especially from my mobile devices whilst I’m on the road.
Other tech I can’t live without includes Zoom which I use to video conference across the globe, G Suite which I’m new to, however, is a great productivity tool, and finally Apple Music. We have an Apple HomePod in our Sydney office: having some beats playing in the background is a must! As the team has grown so too has the breadth of music tastes – we could be listening to Amy Shark one minute, Elvis the next followed by my personal favourite – Calvin Harris! We have a healthy competition in the office when it comes to control of the playlists on the HomePod.
What social network do you find most useful?
LinkedIn is my go-to business social network. It’s fantastic to keep up to date on the latest events and also stay connected to customers, partners, colleagues and ex-colleagues both locally and internationally. Another social network I’ve recently joined is Workplace by Facebook. We’re using it to drive collaboration across Box, Facebook, Zoom, Okta, Netscope and Enablo to plan and facilitate our region’s first Future of Work Councilheld at the Gartner Symposium on the Gold Coast on the 31st October.
What were the most important lessons you learned while growing your business?
Be laser-focused on the stuff that really matters. Broadly for me that is our team and customers. I meet with all Australian Boxers as a team and individually on a weekly basis. I stay regularly engaged with them to coach and help them drive success in their role. Our customers are the reason we have a business so I engage with them as much as possible: I try to spend 80% of my time focused on driving customer success and engaging with the market. For me this is the fun aspect of my job and I love to see businesses such as REA Group (realestate.com.au) or OFX (OzForex.com) driving disruption and succeeding by using Box.
What has been the most surprising part of your business journey?
We interact with thousands of people on any business journey and it always surprises me how the majority of people I cross paths with are genuinely nice, have good intent and want to help out. I’m an optimist and have found the vast majority of people I meet to be of the same mindset.
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
Picking the best playlist on the Sydney office HomePod would be my slightly controversial response! I also actively try to be a better listener. This is a work in progress.
What’s your sleep routine like?
I like to get a good seven hours each night so that means in bed by 10pm to be up at 5am. I try to beat the congested Sydney traffic and get into the city for a workout before starting my work day at 7.30am.
What advice would you offer to other businesses on how to succeed?
Talent is a critical component for any business wanting to succeed so make sure you have the right people on board. Engaging your team in the mission and having them understand how they can contribute is also key. At Box we have a genuinely warm culture and this is largely driven by the seven core values Boxers focus on. They are:
- Blow our customers minds
- Take risks/fail fast/get stuff done
- 10X it
- Be an owner. It’s your company
- Bring your (____) self to work every day
- Be candid and assume good intent
- Make Mum proud
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These are often highlighted during meetings or interactions at Box so they are values we live by as a company and help to make Box a truly great place to work.
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