This much I’ve learned

The best advice I got ... When I was a graduate trainee, a sales manager who spent every lunchtime in the pub told me: ‘Everyone has something to teach you.’

The worst advice I got ... When I arrived in a new company as CEO, a very experienced account man told me not to bother getting to know a major client as he had it under control. Of course, we lost the business.

Don’t underestimate ... How you can help and liberate people around you just by articulating things clearly and having the courage to do so.

Don’t overestimate ... The importance of meetings. Meetings aren’t work.

The experience that taught me most ... I joined WPP Kantar in a newly created role with no job description and no plan to follow, just a clear purpose given by the CEO, Eric Salama. I learned to work from first principles and do what would make a difference.

The most fun I had ... Playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ as an energiser at a meeting of 150 people from all over the world.

The worst moment ... A new colleague I had not met phoned to complain about how one of my team, also called Fiona, had been rude to her on a conference call. It was worse for her though – when I revealed it was me on that call.

My peak career experience ... Is still ahead. If you keep learning and making a difference then every stage is better than the one before.