Over the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with some awesome people and we have often delivered beyond expectation in challenging times and environments, this has ingrained in me the quality of being able to “Get Stuff Done,”.
I realise to others GSD could refer to German Shepherd Dog, they are hardworking, intelligent, loyal, dependable and focused, (they have traits I admire and if you haven’t picked up on it, I’m an animal lover)
So, back to reflecting on the last decade, here are a few things I’ve led teams to deliver
✅ Established a Business Continuity Plan (BCP):
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I led the development of a BCP that ensured the organisation transitioned seamlessly into lockdown without undue hindrance.
This required:
- Strategic Planning: Identifying critical processes and aligning them with operational priorities.
- Collaboration: Engaging with cross-functional teams to ensure preparedness.
- Adaptability: Quickly responding to evolving challenges during a global crisis.
✅ Founded a Wellington Charity:
I created job opportunities for over fifty people affected by homelessness and poverty. The charity sold over 20,000 publications across Wellington and formed relationships with arts and culture organisations like Wellington On a Plate (WOAP), World of Wearable Art (WOW), The Mental Health Foundation, and The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF). We even navigated countless challenges with Wellington City Council (okay, I’m still working on letting that gripe go, lol!).
This achievement relied on:
- Vision and Purpose: Establishing a mission that inspired others to contribute.
- Resilience: Overcoming obstacles to deliver meaningful outcomes.
- Relationship Building: Creating partnerships with organisations to amplify impact.
✅ Launched a Luxury E-commerce Business:
With an initial investment of $1,000, I turned my passion for horology into a thriving venture that generated over $100,000 in revenue within its first year. The business has satisfied several hundred clients across New Zealand and established trusted relationships with suppliers and partners overseas. (Shameless plug: www.timelessluxury.co.nz 😉).
This required:
- Entrepreneurial Drive: Building a business from scratch and scaling it quickly.
- Customer Focus: Delivering excellent service to establish trust and loyalty.
- Marketing Savvy: Leveraging digital platforms to grow brand awareness.
✅ Led Response Planning for Corrections:
I developed strategies to ensure operational resilience during potential industrial action across New Zealand’s prisons. Working with Corrections was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the amazing people I collaborated with.
This required:
- Risk Management: Identifying vulnerabilities and preparing contingencies.
- Leadership: Guiding teams through high-pressure situations.
- Strategic Thinking: Balancing immediate needs with long-term stability.
✅ Implemented Project Governance and Delivery Frameworks:
I enabled teams to deliver complex projects with structure, clarity, and success.
This involved:
- Problem Solving: Developing frameworks that address organisational needs.
- Communication: Ensuring alignment among stakeholders.
- Team Leadership: Inspiring teams to work collaboratively and achieve shared goals.
Each of these milestones required vision, resilience, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose. They also demanded core skills like strategic planning, relationship building, problem-solving, and effective communication—all of which I continue to hone as I take on new challenges.
What do you think are the most important traits or skills for Getting Stuff Done?
Feel free to comment below—I love sharing ideas and hearing different perspectives!
