Origin Stories

Ep. 6: Jonathan Sweeney — On bullying, business failure and stepping off the corporate treadmill

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Episode notes

Originally from Wales, Jonathan Sweeney has worked in different countries, across a variety of roles and functions.

He emigrated to New Zealand in his mid-30's where he is currently the Director of the Immersion Group, working with SMEs on business fundamentals (Finance, Governance, Planning and Strategy, Sales & Marketing, People and Leadership).

He's known success, failure (and the F word) and come across a few too many Trump-like bosses during his days in the corporate machine. We recorded this conversation on January 7, at the same time as an angry mob stormed the US Capitol in a failed coup.

In this episode Jonathan talks about...

— bullies in business aka Snakes in Suits;

— being brave enough to not only change course but jump ship in order to find a career that gives you a sense of purpose;

— how The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell inspired him;

— changing jobs as a search for meaning or a means of escape;

— why he felt a new sense of possibility when he moved from the UK to Australasia;

— swapping the corporate machine to work with small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs);

— why SMEs are the backbone of the NZ economy and the biggest challenge they face;

— the importance of being present and open to opportunities;

— New Years resolutions and why there's never a perfect time to start a new habit or take on a new role;

... and much more.