Anyone can be CEO - yes, you read that right: namely of their own career. If you're unhappy with your career situation right now, remember this: YOU are the most important decision-maker in your professional life. This means that our careers are our own responsibility and our daily decisions influence our long-term success and therefore our career satisfaction. So with this "CEO mindset," it's not a matter of shifting blame to others or pinning it on external factors.
Shape your career the way a CEO would: Use your skills and knowledge strategically and always proactively look for opportunities: not only promotions but also lateral moves. This is how you secure valuable opportunities. The important thing here is to have confidence and know your value. If not you, then who?
Someone who has internalized this mindset is Urs Indermühle. Our interview partner of the month considers this professional advice one of the best he has ever received. After completing his studies, the economist trained as a federally certified auditor and has been with the auditing firm EY for 16 years. In the Transactions division, he supports clients in corporate transactions such as acquisitions or sales.
Always open to new challenges and tasks, Urs Indermühle looks back on a very varied and exciting time - also abroad. Today, he is Head of EY's Basel office and works with his team on challenging projects. As part of our "5 Questions for..." series, we talked to Urs Indermühle about his professional and private interests and the most important lessons he has learned along his career path so far. Learn more about him in our interview of the month.
Mr. Indermühle, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"I have been interested in computer science for a long time and was also independently active in building customer and supplier databases for SMEs as a student. This is how the study of business with a focus on computer science came about. I also worked in this field during my time at Roche. I came to auditing when I recognized the value of further training to become a certified auditor and the opportunity to get to know a great many companies in a short time. Fortunately, I have never regretted this step."
What would you work for free for a week?
"I lived in South Africa for three years. EY supported various social projects, especially in the townships. Being involved in such a project was always short but very impactful and eye-opening. For a well-designed social project that has a positive and lasting impact, I would love to work for free for a week."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"You are the CEO of your own career. You can make, influence and control many decisions in your own career yourself. This requires entrepreneurship, being willing to take a risk depending on the situation, as well as being open and looking ahead."
How do you face setbacks and deal with difficulties?
"It's an eternal learning process, and this is where increasing experience helps to bring in more composure and calm, and to analyze a professional setback factually rather than personally. Above all, it's important that I learn my lessons."
What is especially important to you in your work environment and what is definitely not coming into the office?
"Teamwork and a positive attitude: We work a lot on projects with challenging issues, high customer expectations and tight timelines. Working in teams with motivated people who also enjoy their work gives me a lot of pleasure and energy.
I consider myself very lucky to be able to work in a dynamic and diverse environment and to learn a lot from our younger colleagues and our customers.
No way does instant coffee belong in my office."
We would like to thank Mr. Indermühle for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted in writing.
Editor: Neslihan Steiner
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
