Leo Burnett CEO and 30-year company veteran Melinda Geertz discussed her extroverted nature, collaborative leadership style and decision-making modus at the recent AdNews Lessons in Leadership event.
Speaking alongside MediaCom CEO Willie Pang and M&C Saatchi boss Jaimes Leggett, Geertz reflected on the role curiosity has played in her career, noting that piqued interest rather than tunnel vision lead her to the helm of Leo Burnett.
“Curiosity has been the thing that drives me. Every decision I’ve made in my life is kind of around curiosity and creating an interesting life, not oh, I want to be a CEO,” she said.
Geertz described her path to the c-suite, honing in on one particular instance that rallied her appetite for the top job.
“The only thing that prompted me to become a CEO was when I heard someone say, ‘oh Melinda would be an awesome CEO but she can’t do it because she’s got kids,’” she recalled.
Geertz described the moment as jarring but on reflection recognised the significant impact it had on her seeking of the chief executive position.
“I was a history major. I had no intention to be in this industry. I love creativity. I love problem solving. It was curiosity and accidental bravery that got me where I was and then a moment of rage when someone said well you can't and I went ‘wait a minute,’” she said.
Speaking on the role sacrifice plays in c-suite positions, Geertz said there has to be a sense “of purpose” to the immolation.
“You have to make some decisions in your career and in your life about what a deliberate sacrifice is. What are the things that are just no-go zones?” she posited.
During her 30-year tenure with Leo Burnett, Geertz stated there were areas of her personal life she would never compromise for work.
Noting that “everyone is different,” she recommended setting boundaries on issues that were fundamentally off limits, such as family.
“I was absolutely clear that I was raising my children and that I needed to create that integrated into my work life and my leadership role,” Geertz said.
As a dual-American Australian citizen Geertz looks to the wider socio-political climate when contextualising her professional trajectory.
“I didn’t have all these role role models saying ‘its okay for you ro do it differently because you have three kids.’ So I am loving that these areas of authenticity and great social issues are part of the currency in leadership right now.”
As for her collaborative leadership style, Geertz believes it is the “phenomenal people” in junior, mid and senior positions that allows her to elevate the business.
“I have a lot of people that aren’t necessarily senior in status but I consider critical leaders in our business, I call them beacons. I consider myself an enabler of people,” she reflected.
“I know that it’s not about me-me-me, it is absolutely about people being unleashed to use their talent,” Geertz concluded, “it’s about collective leadership and using the talents around you.”
Geertz joined Leo Burnett as a graduate at the agency’s headquarters in Chicago, moving to Australia as Leo Burnett Melbourne CEO prior to taking over as Leo Burnett Australia CEO in 2017.
Keep an eye on AdNews for more content from the panel.
AdNews Live: Lessons in Leadership, was presented by MediaCom with supporting sponsors Commtract and TVSquared.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.