This much I’ve learned

The best advice I ever got … Use your head, trust your instincts and follow your heart.

The worst advice I ever got … The careers advisory service at London University said: ‘You’ll never get into advertising unless you are Oxbridge.’

Don’t underestimate … Humanity. There is room for it every day, everywhere, even when you have to be tough.

Don’t overestimate … Knowledge. Asking good open-ended questions gets everyone much further, faster.

The experience that taught me most … Carrying out a major brand change in the middle of the worst economic crisis for 70 years tested my resolve, clarity of thinking, tenacity and instinct. Just because I didn’t have the right technical expertise did not mean that I could not contribute. Doing something like this does wonders for your confidence.

The most fun I had … All those times I have cried laughing, often at everyday silly things. There is a difference between taking work seriously and taking one’s self too seriously.

The worst moment … I have a dreadful memory and I tend to forget all the bad stuff.

Peak career experience … There have been many marvellous moments, including visiting a school for countryside children in China, and sleeping out in the street for our global charity.

Amanda Mackenzie is chief marketing officer at Aviva. [email protected]