WHEN YOU STARTED AT QA 10 YEARS AGO, DID YOU THINK YOU'D BE HERE 10 YEARS LATER?
Honestly, no. A lot of that was down to the fact that as an Office Administrator, a big part of my role was to pull together documents - amongst other things. There was a certain longlist I worked on and the experience remains traumatic to this day. I still remember the job number! As the Office Administrator, I was responsible for putting it together and there was a lot of time pressure to get it done. Essentially, it did not go well. Anything and everything that could go wrong, did. To the point where, this happened on a Friday, and I expected on Monday to be fired. I thought I was going to be let go. I had a conversation with Sergio, and it was not pleasant, but thankfully, he did give me another chance. So, to answer your question, did I think I’d be here 10 years later? Not in a million years.
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DAY?
Yes, I do. The team itself was very small. Sergio, of course, the late Sarah Cuzner, another consultant, Michael, as well as Gene, the researcher.
WHAT HAS KEPT YOU HERE?
Ultimately, the people. I’ve worked with some really impressive people. I’ve worked with people that have become immeasurable close to me. Sergio being the prime example. I’ve known him for 10 years and he’s almost become a father figure to me. I always look to Sergio. If I think “what should I be doing in this situation?” I think to what Sergio would be doing in this situation. I try to utilise that and almost mould my style to match his. In a lot of ways, I’ve really looked up to him as someone I try to model my behaviour towards but in general, it’s the people at Quinton Anthony that are by far the most important asset.
WHAT HAS BEEN MOST SURPRISING ABOUT THE JOURNEY THUS FAR?
The biggest surprise for me as someone that is typically quite introverted and reserved is, I never thought I would have the ability to interview people to the extent I do now. Engaging with clients the way I do now. It’s just not something I ever thought was in my skillset. The experience, the learnings, and the guidance that I’ve received at Quinton Anthony has helped me grow into the person I am today.
I would say that’s probably the most surprising thing, the person I am today in comparison to who I was 10 years ago. Being in this role means I am almost constantly out of my comfort zone and as a result, having to grow, develop and build up these various skillsets of mine that traditionally aren’t my strengths allow me to be a more well-rounded person. Looking back from starting off as an Office Administrator to now being a Delivery Partner working closely with Sergio and some of the most influential clients in the construction industry is by far the hugest surprise for me because I never thought I’d ever be in that position.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
Winning the QA Way award, not just once but twice. The fact my peers think so highly of me. I never expect it and it’s incredibly reassuring, filling me with a lot of pride and joy. When things like this happen, especially getting votes from people that I don’t necessarily have a huge amount of involvement with, I can’t help but feel a huge sense of pride and joy. The fact that my colleagues think highly of me enough to vote for me twice for that QA Way award, is something I would never expect even the first time, and the second time was just the cherry on top.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY IN THE PAST 10 YEARS?
Hot air ballooning in the Hunter Valley stands out as a memory I will never forget. Seeing the mist and fog lay over the valleys as we were ascending was a once in a lifetime experience, and I'm grateful I was afforded the opportunity to do this with people that mean a great deal to me.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING/S YOU'VE LEARNED?
I am the type of person that tends to stress over their own work, but I’ve come to realise there is always something that has to be done. There is always a deadline coming up or a call I have to make. That said, at the end of the day, we are still in a work environment and there are bigger things in play outside of work as well. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to make mistakes and okay to disappoint people at times, provided you are trying your best, and doing the best to your capability. Otherwise, how else will you learn? It has taken me a long time to realise that, and as a result, I do feel a lot calmer about certain things. I find I am able to balance my anxiety and manage it in a much better fashion in comparison to how I used to.
SEAN, CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT QUINTON ANTHONY MEANS TO YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?
Quinton Anthony does feel like a family in a lot of ways and that’s probably the best way I would describe it. I’ve seen so many people come and go throughout 10 years. It just feels like home and as a part of that, the people within the office and the people within Quinton Anthony, they all feel like family members to me. There are just so many people within the team that I’ve grown incredibly close to. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know them better, get to know their families better, get to know their own personal situations better, to the point where Quinton Anthony is just a family.
AS YOU REFLECT ON THE PEOPLE YOU'VE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, WHAT SPECIFICALLY COMES TO MIND? WHO HAVE YOU LEARNED THE MOST FROM?
Besides Sergio, Mr Gregory Ford. When we talk about promoting trust and connectivity in the office, Greg immediately springs to mind. He is always the first one to offer a helping hand. I have learned a lot from him, especially at the start. Back when I had no idea what I was doing. The amount that I’ve learned from him, both as a work colleague and human being. Like Sergio, he is another person I try to model my own behaviour towards. He is the type of person that gets along with everyone. He can have a conversation with anyone. He can be serious but equally enjoys having a laugh too. He is the perfect embodiment of what the culture is at Quinton Anthony. I have learned so much from him on how to a better person.
YOU'VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?
I hope to be able to continue on the development plan I’m on now. Sergio, again, is the type of person to push you out of your comfort zone and I’m someone that seems to respond well to that. In the next 10 years I would love to continue that trajectory - having greater involvement with clients, being able to take the lead and become a 'trusted advisor.' To actually be able to fulfill those words in a way that I’m able to note that as an accomplishment. Despite my tenure, it feels like there is still a lot of room for growth in becoming a true subject matter expert.
WHAT WOULD BE THE MESSAGE YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CONSIDER JOINING QA?
The message I’d want to share is that Quinton Anthony really is a family and I’m not just saying that. The people within the business really make up the spine of Quinton Anthony. I think we all seem to embody what the business is all about. We are all selfless or quick to help on a whim. The number of times I’ve needed help and any number of people are always so forthcoming to help me out in any situation. This is not limited to professional work either. If I have issues with my home life, the behaviour doesn’t change. People are always wishing the best for me, and I think it’s rare for a business of any capacity to be as selfless as it is. I am fortunate to have come into an environment such as this. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of the people within the organisation.
AND LASTLY, IF YOU COULD INSTANTLY FLY ALL OF QA'S EMPLOYEES TO ANY DESTINATION FOR YOUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. I’ve always wanted to be able to jump on a train into another country and experience so many different cultures in one trip. This has always been a dream of mine and I would love to travel there with our entire team. Plus, it’s no secret that I’m a big Liverpool fan and to be able to drag everyone to Anfield stadium in Liverpool, another place that has always been on my bucket list, would be a dream come true.
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View Sean's full profile on LinkedIn or for further information, contact him at sean.kow@quintonanthony.com.