In the second of our short interviews with Business Leaders, we are pleased to welcome Craig Mathieson of “The Polar Academy” to get his views on the leadership in his company. We asked Craig a few short questions and this is what he had to say:
Why did you set up the Polar Academy?
I set the Polar Academy up 11 years ago as a direct result of witnessing first hand how much young people are struggling in today’s society, especially those who have also had a traumatic event happen in their life. Their confidence is almost non-existing and the thought of ever achieving anything significant in life has long since been dismissed.
From day one, the Polar Academy stops treating them as a victim and makes them part of a team. We prove to each individual (and their family) just how capable they are by teaching them tasks far beyond what they thought previously possible. This is a 18 month of intensive training and team building, with the results of life-long positive change.
How would you summarise your leadership style?
My leadership style has been shaped over the years from many different avenues – military, expeditions and family. I always strive to me the absolute best I can be. The only way I can personally achieve this is by removing any ego and surrounding myself with people who are better than me. However, when it comes to the big decisions when all eyes turn to you, usually under extremely stressful situations, you must be able to take charge and make clear and calculated decisions.
What do you enjoy about being the boss?
The freedom of course. Decisions and plans can be instantly implemented.
I also really enjoy having people work with me at the Polar Academy. My staff and volunteers are incredible people who passionately care about the work we do.
The Polar Academy guiding team I consider the best people on the planet. They are from all walks of life but all share the same traits of being extremely good at their job, unbelievably kind and share the same values as the Polar Academy when it comes to helping children. Without question, I would do anything to support my guides, staff and volunteers.
How do you look after your employees?
We all work incredibly hard at the Polar Academy, sometimes we go weeks without a proper break. However, when it comes to the well-being of my staff they know that I would always put them above anything else.
We are a very close team, not only do we work together as colleagues, we are also friends.
I like to get staff involved with all aspects of the Polar Academy – a typical week could involve fundraising, supporting a family or individual who is struggling, meetings with potential sponsors, intensive physical training sessions, last minute trips to Norway to collect expedition kit. But it’s also important some days just to switch off the computers and phones to go fishing, ride motorcycles or have a beer and a laugh.
Is there anything you don’t enjoy about being a leader?
Being a leader is often a very lonely position and personal sacrifices have to be made sometimes. In the past, putting absolutely everything and everyone’s needs above my own never really worked out well. I think this is something many leaders are guilty of, and perhaps they struggle to admit it sometimes, only coming into focus when things start to go in the wrong direction.
I still have to work hard every day to achieve some sort of balance.
To find out more, visit http://www.thepolaracademy.org/.