Paul’s outlook on life can best be described in the below image. He is a firm believer in the philosophy of small and do-able steps and actions in life that will make you achieve great things as a company, in your career and also personal life. Following this principle with a good dose of continued commitment to see things through will set you up for success.
Meet the leadership team – Paul Smith
What book has significantly influenced you?
Atomic Habits by James Clear is my most influential read. The motto of “Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results”, underpinned in this book has become my life motto. My three young adult children all received a copy for Christmas.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be, and why?
Leonardo Da Vinci is the one historical figure I would like to have an extended dinner with. Just tapping into the insights of this natural genius on art, science, engineering and inventions would be mind-blowing. It would be very insightful to project what he would have been like and what value he would have added to the world if he had lived today.
What’s the first concert you ever attended, and what made it memorable?
Whilst I can’t remember the first concert I attended, the best one by far that I attended was the U2 360 concert. “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” are on my top 10 song-list.
What hobby or activity do you enjoy in your downtime that most people might not know about?
I enjoy walking everywhere – in cities, in parks, on beaches, in the mountains and yes, even in the office park I now work in. This habit is something I brought with me from my previous job in the Netherlands where lunchtime walks and walking meetings are a norm for most people. Nothing clears the mind like some fresh air and combining thinking with some physical activity. Not many people will be aware that I like to write about various things in my spare time, which is likely to become my retirement job, backed by some podcast to discuss and share my ideas in an easy relaxed setting and environment.
Describe a “perfect day” for you – what activities, meals, and places would it include?
My “perfect day” would be waking up to a good cup of coffee and a catch-up with my wife. Or having coffee in the car on the way to some exciting place we have not been to or seen before. I have a rule of 90 minute proximity from where we live to see and discover places or events in the area we live. The things my wife and I would do during a perfect day out would be variety of things like sport or music events, looking for second hand furniture we can restore, discovering the best jazz or coffee bar, tasting local food or just enjoying nature. Above all else, I like to connect with different types of people across all walks of life during a perfect day out.
