Interview with Mike Fairburn

This week we meet Mike Fairburn, General Manager - MENA, Sony Music.

What’s your golden rule?
Always trust your team and your instincts.

Who has been your biggest influence?
One of my first bosses in London, she taught me the importance of thinking creatively, working hard and always making time to have fun with your team and partners. We worked in entertainment and she really helped me understand that to make your entertainment business successful, you had to have a light hearted outlook on all things good and bad whilst of course maintaining focus.

What is your most hated business expression?
Out of the box thinking.

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?
Deciding to stick to music and entertainment as a career when I was 20 years old. I’ve had 18 years of working with amazing teams, people and taking on fascinating business challenges in many parts of the world.

Which leader do you admire most and why?
There are two:

• Richard Branson – absolutely visionary who has overcome turbulence in business to emerge one of the most spirited, engaging and motivational leaders in the world. I would love to spend an evening in his company, would learn so much.
• Ritchie McCaw – victorious All Black World Cup winning captain (twice), the most capped player, the most capped player as captain, the most win ratio in world rugby. A colossus of a man who became a legend within his own time but stayed humble, hard working and motivated a number of All Blacks teams to world dominance.

What’s your favourite word?
Yes.

Tell us a secret...
Say Beetlejuice three times…

Follow him @Mikeyf1977

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