What do you do when a successful, long-term career comes to an unexpected end? For Malcolm Lambeau, a former CIO and Managing Director at major British banks, it was an opportunity to hit the reset button. Fifteen years ago, a redundancy became the catalyst for a radical career change—one that led him from the corporate ladder to the dynamic world of interim and portfolio work. In this candid conversation, Malcolm shares the surprising joys, challenges, and rewards of becoming your own boss, and reveals the crucial mindset shift required to thrive as a professional interim.

Malcolm is a friend of the podcast through his advice and being the very first guest - 32 episodes ago.

· The Transition to Interim Work: Malcolm shares that his shift was triggered by a redundancy from his role at the Royal Bank of Scotland. Instead of seeking another permanent position, he felt a strong desire to do something different and entrepreneurial. He was encouraged by a headhunter to explore the interim route, and he quickly realized it was the right path for him.

· The Surprises and Realities of Interim Life: Malcolm was surprised by how much he enjoyed the work, how quickly he could make an impact in new organizations, and how welcoming he was made to feel. He particularly valued being "immune to politics" and being able to focus on specific, clear objectives. Contrary to his initial expectations of long gaps between contracts, he found himself almost continuously employed for seven years.

· The Mindset of an Interim Professional: The conversation highlights that becoming an interim isn't just a job change—it's a fundamental cultural and personal transformation. Malcolm emphasizes that you must see yourself as a business. This includes doing your own risk assessment, managing your finances and accepting that you'll have to operate without the typical support staff and authority of a permanent executive. Your only power is your expertise and ability to influence others.

· Common Mistakes and Key Advice: Malcolm identifies several pitfalls for those new to interim work. A key mistake is not having a clear plan and treating it as "a bit of interim" work, which can hurt your reputation with recruitment agents who prefer commitment. He stresses the importance of building a strong network of agents and practicing your interview skills, noting that many senior professionals rely too heavily on their polish rather than preparing a well-rehearsed narrative.

· The Rewards of Coaching and Mentoring: Malcolm finds immense satisfaction in his coaching and mentoring work. He gets a buzz from helping people find jobs and achieve success. He highlights that despite the lack of a permanent team or the daily grind of corporate life, the personal reward of seeing others benefit from his experience is what makes his current work so meaningful.

Send us a text