Kimberley Gargiulo Head of Operations, Transformation and Change at SG Fleet

How do you define effective leadership, and how has your definition evolved over time?

Having a clear view of where we are going and being able to communicate that in a way that brings your teams onboard too. I think it’s important to lead by example and demonstrate the behavior you want to see in your team, as well making sure you treat everyone as an individual and adjust your leadership style. 

What strategies do you use to build and inspire a high-performing team?

Make sure each team and person understand the purpose of their team and their role, and that they know how their job contributes to the operation and growth of the business. I think knowing what you are working towards helps with team motivation and satisfaction. 

Can you share an example of a leadership challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

Most of my leadership challenges come from working with people that have differing viewpoints or objectives than me. I find that trying to understand a situation or issue from their side as well as helping them to understand your perspective usually leads to workable outcome.

What role do mentorship and networking play in your approach to leadership?

I was fortunate enough to be involved in the SG Fleet Mentor program last year and was matched with the Group CEO as my mentor. What started as a somewhat uncomfortable pairing grew into a really challenging and rewarding relationship. 

How do you balance maintaining authority while fostering collaboration and inclusivity?

I tend to lean toward collaboration over authority and encourage team input and team environment, but I’m also happy to be provide direction and make decisions to keep the team moving. It’s about having a close enough understanding of the team and their work so that you can step in and provide support or direction at the right times. 

What is the most challenging obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you navigate it?

The one that stands out to me, was many years ago I had a big project go live stopped, it was a bit of a surprise, and I was pretty upset after working hard on this project for several months. But after picking myself up and dusting myself off I carried on, did the work, and we set the project live. Although, many years later, I have a much better perception of the scale of that failure – I think it about it when other challenges come up in my day and know that with a bit if resilience and perseverance, I can work through most of them.  

How do you maintain resilience and focus during periods of uncertainty or failure?

For me it’s about working with what you do know and keeping moving forward. 

What are your go-to strategies for managing stress and avoiding burnout?

I have a couple slots in my weekly routine that are for just me, so I work hard to prioritise and protect those times to keep on top of stress. I also have a really good support system at home.

Can you share a time when you turned a significant setback into an opportunity for growth?

One time I provided incorrect information into a tender process, one question led to another, and it became clear the way I had summarised the data was wrong. Realising my mistake, I called the GM and fessed up. I was taken aback by the support and resolution we came up with after making what I thought was huge error. It was a lesson for me in failing fast and owning my mistakes. 

How has your perspective on resilience changed as your career has progressed?

I talk to my kids about needing to have ‘grit’, the ability to just keeping going and showing up even when you really don’t want to. I am lucky to enjoy work and don’t have too many of these days – but over the years I have improved at just dealing with what’s in front of me when the chips are down and leaving tomorrows problems until tomorrow.  

What habits or routines have been instrumental in your personal and professional growth?

It’s not really a habit or routine but being authentic in my daily work, and when I’m interacting with others at all levels has been an important part of my journey. Working in the technology domain for so many years, but not actually being that technical has taught me that’s it ok to not know things, its ok to say I don’t know, and its ok to ask dumb questions. 

How do you stay motivated and continually strive for improvement in your career?

I have been extremely fortunate to have had great bosses and opportunities in my career so, so my role and the work I do changes regularly. These changes have keep pushing me to improve and develop.  

What advice would you give your younger self when you were just starting out?

Remember, we’re all just people, even the big boss. They have gained their knowledge through experience and are usually very happy to give their time to help if you just ask and try your instincts – they are very often right. 

What role does feedback play in your journey of self-improvement, and how do you approach it?

Feedback is an important part of everyone’s journey to self-improvement. As an optimist, I find giving positive feedback easy and I try to make sure I mention the good things as I see them across my day. Giving unfavorable feedback is not so easy but is an important part if a leader’s role – therefore I focus on the actions not the person, if feedback is giving effectively it should give others a chance to grow.