How I Got Here - Lisa Pratt
If you're familiar with MADI's "How I Got Here" blog series, you probably know Lisa, the Founder of MADI talent studio, is the one behind the scenes putting it all together - but this time, I suggested we shake it up.
Hi, it's Claud here, and I am the Marketing Coordinator at MADI talent studio. I've known Lisa since 2019 when she ran a personal branding workshop for my team at my previous employer. I remember she was wearing red lipstick, which I now know is her signature look, especially at networking events. In addition, she was sporting a moon boot because she had broken her foot and I now know she spent her time in recovery by gaining her Diploma in Leadership Coaching. Lastly, I remember her workshop making a real and lasting impression on me. So, when Lisa's outplacement services were offered to me during my redundancy, I knew I was in good hands. What I didn't realise was that I was in the hands of my new employer!
Some people come into our lives for a reason, and Lisa is one of those people for me. Lisa is incredibly driven, confident, resilient, and one of the most authentic people I know. Here is Lisa's story of how she got here.
What is your current role and how does it fulfil you?
I’m currently the Founder of MADI talent studio and I love what I do every day! Before I started MADI, I spent some time clarifying my values, passions, what motivates me, drains me, what I’m really good at and what I’m not so great at. This helped me immensely as I wear many hats at MADI and I have a really clear understanding of what to focus my energy on, when to ask for help and what to outsource to keep me fulfilled.
I thrive on variety, I am NOT the kind of person who can do the same tasks day in, day out. So switching between coaching, recruiting and workshops with the added responsibilities across strategy, finances, IT, sales and marketing and everything else in-between suits me perfectly. I will say however, it’s been an evolving process but always going back to understanding what works for me and how I can add the most value to my clients has been invaluable.
What career decisions and experience led you to where you are today?
Hands down, the best decision I ever made was to backpack solo for 2 years around Europe when I was in my early 20’s! I really had to develop my skills across quick decision making, building relationships, trusting my gut, communication and being organised but also flexible when things don’t go to plan. I remember at the time thinking a lot about what I was going to do with my life. I’d just finished my Bachelor of Arts – Music and had spent many years working in the music industry in leadership and teaching roles. I fell in love with food and wine in Europe so I was really at a crossroads.
I came back to Australia and combined my organisational/leadership skills with my foodie passion and worked my way up in Hotels in Food & Beverage Manager roles until my recruitment agency supplier of chefs/waitstaff etc approached me and asked if I’d come on board and manage the team. Since then I have transitioned across several recruitment agencies, always with a view of upskilling in any areas that I felt needed more development. I then found a wonderful boutique agency that embraced my entrepreneurial style and supported me moving to Melbourne and eventually managing the team on a national basis. This was my dream role, the one I’d always wanted to have, however in that final year my priorities and values had shifted, I had several significant personal challenges and I was burnt out. That’s when I took a week off work, tucked myself away in a cabin in the mountains and asked myself the hard questions about not only what is important to me but what I want my future to be. That’s when MADI was born.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give someone wanting to end up where you have?
Reflect, reflect, reflect. Keep checking in with yourself (I do this every 90 days – I know!) and review whether you’re on the right path for you. You can always change the direction you’re heading but reflecting upon whether or not you love what you do, if not – why?, are there skills gaps you need to fill and keeping one eye on the long term goal, for me is key. I work with so many clients who float from role to role because it’s easy or expected of them and one day they wake up and hate their work life and want a complete career change.
Set yourself some signposts, regular markers and keep adjusting the plan so it works for you. Finally, I’d also like to say, be bold and brave. No goal is too crazy or big, no barrier can’t be knocked down, it’s never too late to make a change and it’s totally ok to march to the beat of your own drum. It’s your life and you need to live it every day so stop caring about what others think and just do it!
Claud xx