Changing Careers For A Happier Work and Family Life 

Changing careers might seem overwhelming , there’s so much to consider. You’ve climbed the ladder in your current job, why leave what you’ve got? There’s comfort in the thought of that security and stability. However, it’s not always the case. At one point, you might realize that your current job is not for you. It’s critical to know when enough is enough. While it may sound scary, the answer may lie in taking on another career path.

In this episode, Ryan Yeates of Advance Innovation Group joins us to share advice for changing careers. He tells the story of his fast-accelerating career journey and the changes that transpired over its course. He also speaks about leadership and building a winning team. Furthermore, Ryan allows us to learn his secrets to living a happy and successful life.

Do you want to know when it’s time to move on to the next thing in your career? Do you need some advice for changing careers? Then, this episode is for you!

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

  1. Learn how to deal with the voice of doubt in finding success in the workplace.
  2. Get advice for changing careers and insight into what it’s like to transition and run a team along with it.
  3. Discover the secret to a happy and successful work and family life.

Resources

Episode Highlights

[03:36] Ryan’s Career Journey Before 30

  • The first thing Ryan is proud of is his career journey before 30. 
  • His journey accelerated very quickly. He had to go from leaving school with some GCSEs to entering the business world.  
  • He started as an engineer installing security alarms and finding no success in working for his brother’s business. 
  • So, Ryan made a conscious decision that he wanted something different. He went through various stages where he wanted his career to be.
  • He took up senior roles and found success in the security industry before moving into hospitality, giving him insights on changing careers.

[07:07] Dealing with the Voice of Doubt

  • Five years ago, Ryan was all about proving a point.
  • Upon understanding more about himself, he realized it’s about the results rather than making a point.
  • Ryan didn’t hide the fact that he was 24 when he reached the business board level. He discussed it openly to let his colleagues understand his different perspectives.
  • Due to his desire to climb the ladder, he missed out on many things people his age did. He worked to keep his focus, prove his point, and get to where he wants to.
  • Comfort begins when you know yourself and your capabilities. Knowing he can get things wrong and have imperfections made Ryan more relaxed.

[09:50] How COVID-19 Changed Ryan

  • The second thing Ryan is proud of is how COVID-19 changed him.
  • Ryan thinks COVID-19 has changed everyone for the better. We’ve become more caring and understanding as a nation.
  • He’s proud of the journey his team has gone on from day one of COVID-19.
  • Ryan has learned more from COVID-19 than he would have ever done if his life remained the same.
  • The business that Ryan leads has grown from strength to strength over the last 12 months.

[13:26] Leadership During COVID-19

  • Leaders’ responsibilities are not as glamorous as they may seem during bad times.
  • His team went into survival mode in the first week of COVID-19. Ryan believes he didn’t do the best job during COVID-19.
  • The experience was a learning curve for Ryan’s team. It allowed them to change and adapt.

[14:54] Advance Group

  • The company is a leader in kitchen design. They also run other business units in services and care.
  • Advance Innovation Group supplies commercial kitchens to casual dining restaurants, Michelin-starred kitchens, celebrity chefs, etc.
  • Their mantra is to lead customers’ design experience.
  • The journey they bring their clients through is magical, from the initial design brief to the implementation of their service.
  • Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Advance Group!

[17:06] Transitioning Career Paths

  • Ryan transitioned to the kitchen design industry two years ago.
  • A peer sat him down and explained how the world is shifting from sector-specific leaders to business leaders.
  • Ryan found the transition very difficult in the first six months. He threw himself into it by immersing in the industry.
  • The passion and drive in the hospitality sector resonate with Ryan.
  • He still struggles to differentiate between kitchen appliances. But being surrounded by people who understand him allows him to accomplish what he needs to do.

[19:20] Working with a Team that Motivates You

  • The third thing Ryan is proud of is his team. He has been fortunate to bring some of his team with him in his industry transition.
  • The business they joined two years ago is completely different to what they do today.
  • Ryan’s team went from being a closed-book business to everyone having a voice. They know when to say yes and when to challenge things.
  • The people around him make his passion come out day-to-day.
  • It took around 12 months for them to make the team mesh successfully.

[22:29] Forming the Winning Team

  • Perfection isn’t everything. Ryan’s team had a messy first 6 to 12 months. 
  • Something always happens when you start to get on the cusp of a winning team formation.
  • It’s critical to have the foundation of a winning team. Work with people with wisdom in the business and have the business’s interest ingrained into them.
  • It’s about being able to openly challenge and enjoy the work as a team.
  • Running a team is like a relationship. What makes or breaks it is how you handle communication during tough times.

[24:09] Willingness to Change Behavior

  • Ryan won’t be where he is today if he is still the person he was seven years ago.
  • He did things his way before without letting anyone else’s ideas in.
  • He went through adaptation to his behaviour both on how he operates and his natural personality.

[25:35] Ryan’s Life Outside of Work

  • Ryan has a daughter and a stepchild. 
  • He is getting married in three weeks. His other half is the rock that gels everything together in their family.
  • He wants to be able to provide a good life for his kids with their dad at home.
  • COVID-19 has also driven work-life balance. 
  • Ryan has made a conscious effort to be there for his kids when he can whenever they need him.

[28:44] The Secret to Success for Ryan

  • Ryan believes that the only measure of success is how you feel. 
  • His secret to success is that he loves what he does. 
  • Surround yourself with people who are better than you and will complement your weaknesses.
  • Three fundamental points: know yourself, your numbers and what you class as success. 
  • Being able to alter yourself and adapt to circumstances is crucial.

[32:19] What Contributes to Success: Leading a Happy Life

  • Success is about being happy both in your work environment and family life. When you’re happy in one aspect, it will affect the other.
  • Ryan is happy at work when there’s a problem to solve. He operates best when under pressure.
  • But Ryan is happiest when his team is performing and content in what they do.

[33:42] Advice for Changing Careers 

  • Know your limits.
  • Operating and investing in a problem is critical.
  • Ryan operates best in turning something around in five years and then changing again.

[34:37] Building Wisdom and Humility

  • He learned a lot from fantastic leaders and colleagues. He watched, observed and remembered as much as he could from them.
  • The humility within him comes from being a lucky child with everything handed to him on a plate. He is keen not to spoil his children like that.
  • Remain grounded no matter what happens and what you’ve got.

5 Powerful Quotes from This Episode

[08:24] ‘Once you know exactly who you are and what you’re capable of, you’re very comfortable and able to put that point across as well.’

[09:28] ‘Make your mistakes, but then [learn] what you need to do differently.’

[22:36] ‘Perfection isn’t everything… It’s okay to let some things go.’

[23:38] ‘Get a team that enjoys life and enjoys working with you, and appreciate the fact that you’re gonna have some really tough times together.’

[29:03] ‘The only measure to success is how you feel. Honestly, take no notice of how anyone else judges what you class as your own success.’

About Ryan

Ryan Yeates is the Operations Director at Advance Innovation Group. As a senior and strategic leader, he focuses on client-centric solutions with a passion for innovation. Throughout his career, Ryan has headed various business department areas, including sales, operations, retention and commercial. 

He creates stable strategies and motivates teams to achieve budgets and increase business productivity. He manages this through sensible change management procedures.

If you want to know more about Ryan, you can connect with him via LinkedIn.

Enjoy this Podcast?

It can be frightening to change careers and leave the stability you feel in your current one. But Ryan, with his wisdom and openness, shares advice on making the switch. If you enjoyed today’s episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets…, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!

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To meeting inspiration,

Angela