By Jonathan Jackson
Carmen Parnos has a raft of accolades attributed to her: Information technology recruitment expert, single mum of two and founder of the Australian Coaching Academy to name a few. She is an entrepreneur, business woman and leader all rolled into one, but it is her children who take pride of place. Carmen explains what leadership means to her.
To some in the business field, 25 years in a corporate environment is a long time. To others, this is the time when you begin to climb the upper echelons of the corporate ladder having established yourself as a person of merit and integrity. Usually along the journey you discover whether you are a leader, follower or suited to middle management for a bet each way. No doubt, however, you come to understand the principles of leadership, and some even discover their entrepreneurial flair.
Eleven years ago when Carmen Parnos decided to start a family and launch her own IT recruitment company, she found her entrepreneurial spirit. Yet she believes it was lying dormant while she built a substantial career working for other organisations. She says, in spite of her success, building a business is still a matter of trial and error.
"Right idea, wrong people, or vice-versa – still today I am constantly tweaking to keep the business in line with current corporate and economic climates. You have to be prepared to change direction or strategy and just do what it takes to stay at the forefront of business. The other key for me is to utilise my skills and knowledge to branch out and do other things like writing a book, public speaking and networking (which is one of my greatest passions). I love people and I'm always keen to hear 'their story'."
In these defining 11 years, Carmen has built a successful recruitment company and the Australian Coaching Academy has become one of the foremost learning vehicles in Australia, with a host of CEOs, MDs and even police commissioner Christine Nixon lining up to impart her thoughts on frontline leadership. Carmen has also co-authored two books while managing the lives of her children.
"Last year I co-authored a book called Apprentice to Business Ace: your inside out guide to personal branding. This was my first introduction into the world of publishing and I was hooked. So I used my skills and knowledge from my work in leadership development and created the first volume of Super Leaders of Australia, a book that showcases Australia's most talented and inspirational leaders, with a percentage of proceeds going to poverty relief in developing countries, in this instance we chose to support World Vision."
The philosophy behind the Super Leaders business stems from Carmen's lifelong ambition to learn from the best. Most of us are empowered by the teachings of great leaders and, indeed, those we admire. Carmen was no different.
"Networking into the upper echelons of the business sector is exciting, you can learn so much from the greats and then take some of their wisdom and make it your own," she says.
"Super Leaders embodies all of that and much more, it gives those that can't gain access to Australia's top business leaders a chance to read about them, listen to them and ask them their 'burning questions' through the events."
In essence, Carmen's desire to discover what makes leaders tick was the catalyst for her own rise and it helps that she loves what she does.
"If I had to look back five years ago I certainly wouldn't have thought I would have published two books by now. That was never my goal. I just followed my passion and did the things that got me excited about getting out of bed every day. If it didn't, of course, then I would have changed direction and found something else to work on!"
Through Super Leaders, Carmen is looking to create a hub for future leaders, where they can access the best advice and tips and she wants to take this through the Asia/Pacific and Europe. However she has a warning for those looking to climb the corporate ladder: always see yourselves as a work in progress.
"Ongoing personal development gives you an opportunity to become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses," Carmen says. "What thoughts and behaviours work for you and which ones don't? Once you find the answers to these questions, you have an opportunity to make the necessary changes to become the person you want to be. I always ask people, 'what do you want others to say behind your back?' When you know, behave accordingly."
Super Leaders sister company, The Australian Coaching Academy, also provides life coaching, executive coaching, leadership development and team building that focuses on specific developmental areas.
The philosophies of both companies run parallel and push the theory that you need to be present every day.
"Once you master presence then you become very powerful in your thinking, behaviour and decision making. You take in more of what is going on around you in that moment, people around you feel as though they are being heard and that their contribution is being acknowledged. Being a strong role model (personally, professionally or in sport) is the legacy you leave behind in life. So don't just say you are going to do this that or the other, just do it.
"Powerful people take powerful action - they don't accept mediocrity."
Without a doubt Carmen is inspired by strong leadership, but what she is also inspired by is her children.
"Becoming a mother has been the best career move I have ever made as it gave me a strong purpose in life and that was to be the best role model I could be for my daughters; to show them that anything is possible. Even in making decisions I always ask myself 'what would I tell my daughters if they came to me about a problem. I then make a decision based on those principles. I live the values and beliefs I want them to have. This has in turn brought about my greatest professional achievement which is the Super Leaders of Australia book and more importantly the learning and lessons that came from that journey."
Carmen says she achieved this goal by facing her fears and surrounding herself with people with dissimilar skills to herself. She was tenacious and kept her eyes on the prize not matter who was whispering sweet negatives in her ear. This was the greatest lesson of her life, "Don't try and live your life to other people's expectations, be true to yourself and be yourself."
Carmen's goals for the next three to five years include contributing further to poverty relief projects (via World Vision) and putting in place community programs for troubled youths. This is currently in progress.
Despite her lifestyle it is still little things that motivate Carmen. "I appreciate what I have and don't dwell on what I haven't. I have always been incredibly self-motivated, if I have just a small win or I get through to a key decision-maker I might squeal and do a little victory dance! I love the thrill of the chase."
And it is not just the money made by leaders that inspires her either.
"I think true greatness reflects itself not only in dollar terms but what you give back to your community and society, this is what I am working towards and want to do more of."
