This digest issue continues a series of articles about first enrolment graduates of the Future Leaders training program. Have they benefited from the training? Have their careers changed? Pavel Popov, chief accountant officer, ABC, is answering these questions today.

– Pavel, how did you find yourself in the program?

– Two years ago before the program was launched I’d been the deputy director on finance and economics, ABC. Being a member of the company management reserve I knew that was a splendid opportunity to prove myself, so when I got the invitation to participate in the program I didn’t hesitate to accept it.

– What expectations did you have?

– I knew that colleagues from the company different global offices would participate in the program. It was great for networking, for sharing experience and impressions. And I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to learn from the company top managers and external lecturers.

– Pavel, what can you say about the program? Was there anything that impressed you most?

– I really liked the training on emotional intelligence given by Elena Russkaya, “Public Man” consulting company. Playing “Pass the Message” we were able to see how misinterpretation of the information could distort the issue, so the last receiver got it absolutely wrong. It was very useful. I learnt how important it is to clarify the task to successfully perform it.
I also remember two training days with GE. It was cool! Tim Highet spoke about GE approach to personnel training and development, to growing leaders. It was great to learn that I had the same approach at my level.
It was important to listen to Sergey Kravchenko, the Boeing president in Russia/CIS. He spoke about efficient ways to interact with customers.
Learning from the company managers, the president was of special value. It was run in the form of constructive dialogues, so the program participants could get the answers to their questions. It’s great to have a chance to speak to the company top managers at this level. Not every company could allow it.

– Did the program help your career growth?

– It did. I was promoted to the position of the chief accountant officer in AirBridgeCargo, and my participation in the program contributed to it. There I was able to prove myself, to show the way I approach business tasks, to apply gained knowledge on practice, and that was noticed by the senior executives.

– Does the knowledge you gained help you address the challenges in the new position?

– Yes, it does. During training I confirmed my vision. Watching the top managers participating in the process, approaching tasks, reasoning, reinforcing I started to try all that on. I adopted the approach of my mentor Sergey Shklyanik who always proved himself a leader never missing the opportunity to learn. Communications are getting easier. You understand what is expected from you, which really helps at work.
It’s imperative to apply the knowledge immediately once you get it. You shouldn’t wait for the certificate to start doing it. I remember during some business meeting it occurred to us to try the approaches we’d been taught. And it worked!
Also, working with the mentor is really valuable. I could say I was challenged by my mentor Sergey Shklyanik. According to my personal professional development plan I was going to move in a different direction, which my mentor questioned. After our first meeting I was sure it was going to be another way, and two weeks later I completely accepted the change and his vision on my growth and haven’t regretted it at all.

– How do you see your further professional development?

– First of all, in my present position I would like to improve business efficiency, to contribute to the company sustainable growth. Also, I would like to lead a project on business efficiency, which was frozen, and reanimate it. Besides, I see the necessity of some processes optimization. In three years I see myself in the position of the company vise-president on economics and finance. Also, I am open to any geography, and, if necessary, ready to work abroad.

– What is leader for you?

– Leader is somebody who leads people like the nucleus in the atom with the electrons moving around. He organizes and motivates people, he knows how to grow them.
I differentiate between the inborn leader and the company leader. The inborn leader sets his own tone, lives by his own rules, whereas in the company the leader has to fit into the company culture. You can be charismatic and intelligent but if you can’t align with the system you will never be able to lead the company. You have to accept and share the company culture, let your leadership skills serve the company, as being a leader is great responsibility. It’s not enough to lead people you have to know where to.

– Very soon, on February 13 we start the “Future Leaders” program for the next enrolment. What can you recommend to the program participants?

– Number one – be ready to learn, leave all fears behind, share any ideas. Any seemingly eccentric idea can lead to brilliant solutions.
Number two – take up new tasks. If you are offered to join some project or new direction go for it! This is the key to further development.
Besides, be ready to take responsibility. No success is possible without it.
This training program is a unique opportunity for self-realization; learning is based on the real company projects where you get the information directly from top-management; this is where communications are of great value when your success depends on a person you work with shoulder to shoulder.
I wish all the participants success and I am always ready to support them!