The Talent Initiative

Longest Role Since 2017: Why TTI Has Been the Most Fun

A small realisation

I had a bit of a “hang on…” moment.

Since leaving IMA in 2017, Founder of The Talent Initiative (TTI) is the longest role I’ve held.

And holistically, it’s probably been the most fun.

Not the easiest. Not the calmest. Not always the most profitable week to week. But the most alive.

Why it’s been fun

The fun has come from a few simple things that are easy to underestimate until you’re living them.

• It’s mine. Not in an ego way, in a responsibility way. If something needs fixing, I fix it.
• The freedom to do it properly. No process for process’ sake. No handballing.
• The relationships. I’ve always loved the human side of recruitment. TTI lets me lean into trust, straight talk, and long-term partnerships.
• The variety. One day it’s a senior program role on a complex migration. The next it’s a Microsoft sales role. The next it’s helping a candidate settle their nerves before an interview.
• The pace. There’s nowhere to hide, but there’s also no waiting for permission.

The part people don’t see

The fun doesn’t cancel out the hard bits.

Running your own shop means:

• You carry the uncertainty (pipeline, timing, cashflow) whether you feel like it or not.
• You don’t get to outsource the awkward conversations.
• You learn quickly that good intentions don’t equal good outcomes. Sometimes a hire just doesn’t work out.

When a couple don’t work out, it stings. Not just commercially, personally. Because you care about the client, the candidate, and your name.

But there’s an upside. It forces you to get clearer, sharper, and more honest about how you work.

What I’ve learned about “fit”

If there’s one thing I’ve become more confident about, it’s this.

• Great hiring is rarely about the perfect CV.
• It’s about expectations, context, and whether the person can do the job in that environment.

TTI has made me better at asking the questions that matter early.

• What does “good” look like in 90 days?
• What’s the real reason the last person didn’t work out?
• Who actually makes the decision?
• What are we not saying out loud?

Why IMA still matters in this story

IMA was a big part of my journey, and I’m proud of that chapter.

Here’s why it still stands out. It was the only place where I was genuinely trusted to make the hiring call.

The CEO gave me authority to make what we used to call Captain’s calls.

If I met someone who really excited me, someone I believed was right for the business, I could make the offer and sign them up without running a gauntlet of sign offs. No committee. No politics. Just trust, accountability, and a clear expectation to do what’s right by the business.

One of those Captain’s calls was hiring someone as a Project Manager.

That person eventually went on to become the leader of the whole company.

I still think about that sometimes. Not as a “look at me” story, but as a reminder of what trust can unlock, and what happens when you back good judgement.

A quiet milestone

So yes, it’s a milestone.

Not because it needs a trophy.

But because it’s a reminder that the best work often sits at the intersection of autonomy, accountability, relationships, and a bit of personality.

And if you’re building something of your own (or thinking about it), I’ll say this. The fun isn’t accidental. It’s built, one decision at a time.

If you’re in the middle of your own “hang on…” moment

If you’ve had a similar realisation, longest role, unexpected joy, a different kind of work, I’d genuinely love to hear it.

Because the older I get, the more I think the best careers aren’t the neat ones. They’re the honest ones.