Monday 7 August, 2023
We sat down with our Group CEO Lara Paholski to get some insight into her background in the industry, her family life and her key pieces of advice for success.
How did you end up working in the industry?
You could say I accidentally ended up in this industry. While working in public affairs and communications nearly a decade ago, my family began building out a digital verification solution at the time for their own property conveyancing business. Word started to travel about what they were building, and momentum around the solution began to build the more that they engaged with key industry participants and regulators, who encouraged them to take the solution to market, as it was solving for a genuine compliance requirement across the legal, conveyancing and financial sector.
It was at that point, that I decided to take the plunge to really help them take the solution to market and commercialise it, so I quit my job to do so. Little did I know at the time that it would take me down a pathway and career of its own, and I’d still be in an industry that I genuinely love.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever been given?
You don’t have to win every battle to win the war. Be smart about what battles you take on or make noise about in the workplace – some will be necessary – while others will barely move the dial on what you’re trying to achieve. So be considered and smart about it. And if you can’t align with the cultural and business goals of an organisation, you will ultimately vote with your feet and move on.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to move into a leadership role?
Equip yourself with enough knowledge and capability to move into any kind of leadership role, no matter how big or small the leadership component is. Key elements of growing yourself to get there include always being curious, by making an effort to learn and expand your knowledge in both your area of expertise and across your industry, by connecting with others in your industry including aspirational leaders and mentors, and by showing a genuine willingness to keep learning and growing.
The thing with leadership is that it’s always a work in progress and no one ever has it completely ‘nailed’. Even some of the world’s greatest leaders remind us that they’re always learning and they’re always a work in progress. You just need to start somewhere!
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work.
I am very fortunate to have a great family. My husband Mark and I have three terrific sons, including a set of twins Max and Harry (14), and Charlie (11). While all unique individuals, they each have a genuine love for people, getting involved in as much as they can, and grabbing opportunities. They are all heavily involved in club and school sports which consumes the majority of weeknights and weekends, along with fitting in their own busy social life around sport, school and other commitments.
In my own spare time, I love exercising, catching up with friends…often at one of our favourite bars or restaurants, traveling, and watching or going to an AFL match, or in fact any sporting match!
The three things you’d take to a desert island and why?
My iPhone, champagne, and an umbrella (I hate getting burnt).
Ultimate holiday destination and why?
I have so many but probably Italy. It’s a great blend of all the things I love including great food, wine, varied destinations within one country, and a whole lot of haphazardness and fun!
What’s the best life advice you’ve ever been given?
It actually came from my late mother and it was how she lived too – treat everyone at work the same and with respect – no matter what their title or position is. At the end of the day, titles are irrelevant and have no impact on how you make people feel, or the impression you leave on them.
Be the type of person or leader that people gravitate to naturally – not because they are forced to because of your title.