04: Wendy Geitz on taking a non-traditional path to a successful career

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of IVF and infertility

In this episode, Helen chats with Wendy Geitz.

Wendy Geitz has been an actuary, a consultant, an organisational and workplace designer, an executive and a CEO. She is passionate about creating stronger communities, workplaces and individuals.

Over her nearly 30 year career she’s worked in insurance, banking, commercial property, urban generation, and not for profit organisations supporting youth and women at risk.

These days she’s moved to what she calls “semi-retirement mode”. This doesn’t involve slowing down or not working… for Wendy it means taking on work she enjoys, that feels meaningful, and to which she knows she’ll add value.

Wendy’s never been interested in conforming to any sort of “norm”, in life or in her career. She’s always trodden her own path and she is a human super-connector. She loves nothing more than a yarn and a chance to meet someone new.

In this conversation, Wendy talks about making big career moves, writing her own unique professional story and designing an extraordinary life in the face of unexpected outcomes. 

Highlights:

• The benefit of feeling stuck: That feeling stuck is sometimes the precursor or signal to recognising your head and heart or lifestyle might be out of alignment.
• How to network naturally: Making the most of all types of opportunities to meet, connect and learn from others.
• Why working harder is not enough: Wendy tells of her realisation that she was responsible for her success, rather than waiting for others to recognise her talent. 
• The power of career “experiments”: How to make a significant career change by undertaking small steps, research and experiments.
• Leading “non-traditional” employees: Knowing that not all employees are motivated in the same way and remaining open and curious about encouraging their performance.
• The stuckness of infertility: Wendy talks candidly about creating an amazing, fulfilling life without having her own children.

 

More about Wendy

If you’d like more information about Wendy and her work, you can follow or connect with her on LinkedIn - @wendy-geitz

 

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How To Get Unstuck With Helen Thomas is hosted by Helen Thomas and edited and produced by Snappystreet Creative.