Summary

In this episode of the Pace and Purpose podcast, host Kirstyn DeVries interviews Dilys Maltby, chair of Circus, a boutique management consultancy specializing in purpose and proposition.

Dilys shares her unconventional career journey, from her early indecision about her professional path to her eventual success in the branding and consultancy space.

She discusses the founding of Circus, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven strategy in business.

The conversation also touches on the challenges of entrepreneurship, including navigating burnout and setbacks, and the value of collaboration and continuous learning in achieving success. In this conversation, Dilys Maltby shares her insights on resilience in business, the importance of mentorship, and the role of arts in education.

She tells her personal journey, the challenges of leadership transitions, and the significance of curiosity and continuous learning.

Dilys emphasizes the need for clarity in purpose and the value of imagination and discernment in both personal and professional realms.

Takeaways

• Dilys emphasizes the importance of having a rich network for career growth.
• Her early career was marked by a series of unexpected opportunities and risks.
• She learned the value of audience understanding through her media planning role.
• Drama training helped her take risks and seize opportunities.
• Dilys believes that purpose should drive business strategy, not just marketing.
• Circus was founded to provide strategic principles to clients, focusing on purpose.
• She values collaboration and co-working in her consultancy approach.
• Dilys reflects on the importance of continuous learning and curiosity.
• She acknowledges the challenges of navigating client relationships and expectations.
• Burnout and setbacks are common in entrepreneurship, and she shares her experiences. Good work leads to more good work.
• Resilience is a core skill for entrepreneurs.
• Understanding sacrifice is crucial in business.
• Practice and performance are essential for success.
• Mentorship plays a vital role in personal growth.
• Education and kindness are powerful tools.
• Learning to lose well is important.
• Imagination and discernment are key qualities.
• Access to the arts is fundamental for all children.
• Purpose should clarify the why and for whom.

Sound Bites

• "It was like an audition."
• "Purpose should drive the commercial proposition."
• "Good work begats good work."
• "Practice and performance are key."
• "You gather wisdom as you go."
• "You can do anything with education and kindness."
• "I was taught to lose well."
• "I'm fascinated by people's lives."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

02:14
Career Journey and Early Experiences

14:22
Founding Circus and Strategic Focus

17:06
A Day in the Life at Circus

19:27
Navigating Burnout and Setbacks

21:12
Navigating Business Challenges with Resilience

22:30
The Circus Double Double: Ideology, Sacrifice, and Discipline

24:12
The Importance of Practice and Performance

25:57
Influential Figures: Mentorship and Wisdom

28:27
Resilience and Gender Dynamics in the Workplace

30:01
Learning to Lose: The Art of Argumentation

31:12
Vision for the Future: Transitioning Leadership

32:37
The Role of Arts in Education: Advocating for STEAM

34:40
The Unseen Work: Curiosity and Continuous Learning

38:27
Defining Purpose: Clarity, Color, and Courage