We asked Dee Coakley, Co-Founder and CEO at Boundless to share with us some insights on her experiences and how she draws inspiration from the environment around her, role models she had during her careers, the best advice she received, and what she sees as the biggest challenge facing leaders today.
Voltedge: What is your current role and how long you have held this position?
Dee: I am Co-Founder & CEO at Boundless. Boundless was founded in May 2019.
Voltedge: Where do you draw inspiration from?
Dee: I’m a huge believer in network. I draw inspiration, energy – and, at times, solace – from conversations with other founders and amazing women who have paved the way for those of us who are earlier in our careers.
Voltedge: During the course of your career, was there a role model or mentor that stands out for you?
Dee: 10 years ago, as a Fledgling COO in London, I had the good fortune to get to know Divinia Knowles. At that time, Divinia was COO of Mind Candy, which was seeing rocket ship growth. Divinia still found time to organise monthly meetups for local COOs – conversations and connections that taught me so much. The COO Network that was once a casual group of 5 of us that used to meet for monthly beers is now a professional network of almost 400 COOs. And, last year, Divinia was one of the first investors in Boundless. She’s hugely supportive of everything we’re doing, and continue to be incredibly generous with advice and invaluable introductions.
Voltedge: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given during your career?
Dee: Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. This is not new advice – we all hear this all the time – but it is great advice. I procrastinated for years over starting my own business. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. The things that seem the scariest reap the biggest rewards. This may sound like a cliché but, the more I test this, the more I find it to be true.
Voltedge: What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
Dee: The world of work and how people effectively work together is changing. The millennial workforce have much higher expectations of the organisations that they work for, and their leaders, than previous generations. Successful leaders will be those who are focussed on a vision that’s making the world a better place, those who push for diversity on their teams and in their company’s thinking, and those that provide flexibility and inspiring working environments for their teams. Those who crack these things will flourish, but those who fail to get to grips with new ways of working will flounder.
Voltedge: What is your favourite quote and why?
Dee: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint Exupery. There’s a huge difference between ambition (wanting the upside of the destination) and drive (being prepared to do what it takes to get there). Considered planning gives teams the fuel they need to execute effectively. I’m a natural born planned and love nothing more than getting a great team together to hatch great plans!
