UK #5 CEO Tim Kidd: “There is an Unwritten Contract Between an Employer and an Employee”

Today, Glassdoor announced the UK’s Top 50 CEOs UK for 2018. We caught up with the #5 rated CEO,  Kantar Worldpanel's Tim Kidd, to discover the attributes he looks for when interviewing candidates, why he is still learning as a leader and why he thinks everyone should read the Highway Code!

What qualities do you think a leader needs to have?

The key is to remember to lead not just manage. Let your team know where they’re going and then trust them to do their jobs well (and in many cases, better than the leader). If you trust your team to always do the right thing for the business and its customers, you’ll get where you need to go.

What attributes do you look for in today’s top talent?

I’m looking for people who have a positive attitude, who have a point of view and are prepared to share it with colleagues and clients, and who are team players.

What questions do you love to ask candidates or what aspects do you like to dig into?

It’s important to dig into the facts behind people’s claims and experiences rather than to take them at face value. A classic one is what people put as their “personal interests” on their CV. This happens less often nowadays as CVs are more interesting, but in the past when people listed reading as an interest, I’d ask them what it is about a Berkshire town that appeals to see how they handle an unexpected question – their reaction can be quite revealing!

Interviewing with a CEO can be intimidating. Do you try to put candidates at ease in any particular way?

Smile and remember what it’s like to be in their shoes.

Retention is hugely important these days. How do you lead your teams to retain top talent?

I think that there is an unwritten contract between an employer and an employee. Essentially, the company wants its staff to help grow the business, and in return the staff should be helped to grow by the company. That personal growth can come in many forms: promotions, learning and development opportunities, new experiences and so on. It’s always possible to find something that is engaging for every person and prioritising this will help you to retain your talented people.

When you look back over your past year as CEO, can you share how you have navigated a leadership mistake or challenge? Was there a time when you didn’t perform like you thought you should have, and how did you recover?

Not “a mistake” as such, but learning how to be a leader is an evolutionary process. I’m sure if I could replay some moments from the start of my tenure, I’d cringe. I’m still learning ten years in, whether that’s how to be inclusive and sensitive to the different needs of the team or to instil pride in our people for the work they do.

Now for a few fun ones: What is one book that you think everyone should read? Why?

The highway code. I do quite a lot of miles each year visiting clients and see some awful driving on the road.

What is your go-to productivity hack?

I don’t think it’s possible to lead a team and not be with them most of the time. However, I do occasionally work a day at home. Usually once every couple of months I’ll do it so I can get round to those things that need to be done, but aren’t interesting enough to get to the top of the pile when you can spend time with your colleagues instead.

What is your #1 job search tip? What is your advice for searching for a job? How should job seekers be thinking about their hunt, given today’s competitive job market?

It is so obvious when someone is in an interview but doesn’t really want to work for the company – they just want a job. They may not have researched it enough to demonstrate genuine interest, they may look disengaged in the interview or behave as if the employer should be grateful to have them. All these signs will put the recruiting team off, and is likely a sign that the role isn’t really for you. If however you have done your homework and are authentically interested, your chances of success go up hugely. There’s so many sources of information out there nowadays, including Glassdoor, you’re really missing a trick if you don’t make the most of that.

What scares you? Nothing really in the work context, but I hate snakes. What energises you? Positive people with a glass half full attitude and a smile!

Does Tim sound like someone you’d like to work for? Apply for jobs at Kantar Worldpanel.