My name is Andy Clifford.
This is my elevator pitch.
To get started, press level 1.
Independent, adventurous, passionate and dedicated.
At the age of 19 I packed my bags, said goodbye to a loving family, and set on my way to start a new life in Brisbane, Australia.
Now aged 30, I'm a British transplant still living and loving the Australian way of life.
And for me that way of life is an active one, full of adventure. Twenty fifteen was a year to tick off some big bucket list items; the Australian Open, the AFL Grand Final (carn' Hawks), my first half marathon, a couple of thousand km's on the bike, The Spartan Beast (21km + obstacles + mud + QLD heat = hell) and a glorious European exploration.
But it hasn't all been ups, this year has been the most challenging I hope I'll ever have to go through. After losing my sister-in-law to mental illness the road has been unpredictable and often unbearable. My wife, her family and I are trying our best to come out the other side, and have raised close to $100k in her name for the Black Dog Institute. An effort to help make a difference to a defunct system.
This year has shown me the true challenges of life, and left a profound impact on my goals, beliefs and priorities. If I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. There's no time to waste.
I'll be happy to see the back of this year, and know that the next will be a better one with the arrival of our first child.
Want more? Head to level 2.
“At times I feel out of my depth in the role, but that's when I'm really in my element.”
8 years in Brisbane and Sydney agencies, with clients across automotive, fast food, education and travel sectors, has taught me the ins and outs and up and downs of the wild world of advertising. But just over two years ago, with next to no financial services experience, I took the dive into client side for the Bank of Queensland. And I've never looked back.
As Marketing Manager for Retail Lending and Deposits many would see my job as selling home loans and transaction accounts, but it's so much more than that. As a challenger brand in the banking sector we strive to do things differently, and beyond selling products we are driven to create exceptional customer experiences. From the very first touch point, through the life of the customer.
The passion for my role is amplified by the alignment with my personal brand. I have always been recognised for approaching things differently and pride myself on ensuring any interaction or experience I have with people along the way creates an impactful and memorable impression... ideally for the right reasons.
I believe that these are qualities that set me apart from the rest, and they have shaped my approach to leadership over the years.
A relatively small Marketing team at BOQ means my current role defines my direct leadership to a Marketing Assistant and supplier agencies. I however define my leadership remit as much bigger than that. In my two years with the bank I've quickly established a trusted position of expertise across and up the bank, placing me in regular interaction with senior leadership figures and making me privy and influential to the future direction of the bank.
At times I feel out of my depth in the role, but that's when I'm really in my element.
Still want more? Head to level 3
What does leadership mean to me?
Over the past couple of years, I've realised that leadership isn't simply a foregone KPI within a senior job description.
Leaders are people others are drawn to for advice. This advice shouldn't be given with instruction, but as feedback grounded in experience and in a way that maximises the efforts of others. I've learned that you can be a leader to direct reports as much as you can to those up the hierarchy.
My career so far has given me exposure to leaders who have shaped me for better and for worse. I'm now at the point where strong leadership is a critical component of my career path and I realise I have a LOT to learn, and a lot a more to give.
I'm hungry to develop the skillset I need to be the best leader I can be: one that inspires successful teams in the future.