William Cowan - Building a Winning Career: A complete guide to securing and thriving in your ideal senior role

About William Cowan

William has a great deal of wisdom. He injects a quiet confidence and sense of fun into the process, while at the same time providing helpful encouragement and motivation to do the work. And, most importantly, his technique works! Steve Clifford CEO

William is the master at building careers. He supports you to build your career ambition, increase your confidence and build a professional network. Hes always there for advice, coaching or challenge to spur you on. Madelyn Ring CPO

William provides his clients with insightful advice, disciplined decision-making and an understanding of the need for flexibility and resilience. He artfully combines wisdom and good humour in the support he delivers. Fiona Reed NED

William is one of those rare individuals who has the ability to guide others without taking control or pushing his own agenda. He clearly loves seeing his clients push their personal boundaries to deliver more than they thought they could. Philippe Etienne NED

William is a very thoughtful and capable individual. His background and experience mean that he can give even most senior of executives robust, insightful and supportive counsel. He excels in his field. Peter Lamell NED

William has an incredible ability to unlock insights around your unique superpowers. He is both the stretch and the safety net as you reimagine your career. He brings a balance of sharp intellect and big heart and undeniable impact. Nicole Sparshott CEO

William coached me to build a network for life. By building a deep understanding of me, William partnered with me to ensure every career decision was fully informed by optimising values, fit and family. Tony Dunstan CEO

William helps you identify what has made you who you are. He then supports you on a journey of discovery to help you build a path to the future. Chris Wilesmith CEO

For more comprehensive reviews, go to www.goodreads.com.

About this book

A must read for senior leaders in finding the right new job or those wanting to take their career to the next level. Its highly engaging, yet practical, with home truths that you wont get from your family, friends or colleagues. Kalpana Gee Senior Banking Executive

This book is outstanding and provides really insightful and valuable information that can be practically applied by any executive who wants to secure their ideal role and build a successful career. Ian Nankivell 35 years as a leader in executive search

In a world of ever-increasing disruption, the navigation of ones own career will continue to be challenged in ways that we cant imagine. This book provides concepts, strategies and tactics that help in a way like no other. David Nicolson Senior Career Consultant

How do you cut through the emotion when you are out of work? To be focused, rational, reflective, and successful, you need a great process based on expert experience. That is why you need this book! Russell Parker Global CEO

This book offers precious pearls of wisdom for all to learn from and apply. It is guaranteed to become your trusted career companion, one you will consult for practical, transferable insights throughout your career. Aime Samuels-Meens Senior Career Consultant

Getting a great job is about so much more than being the best candidate. There is an art to being the successful candidate and this book provides straightforward and practical advice to help you get your dream job. Julia Shtepa Senior Financial Services Executive

This book fills an important gap in the inadequately served field of career guidance. It provides executives at all levels with practical advice on how to re-position and significantly enhance career progression. Alan Winton Senior Search Executive

I am fortunate to have successfully worked with William, embracing the principles, practical methods and purposeful disciplines in this book. The purposeful and practical path laid out in this book make the process less confronting. Greg White COO

First published in 2021 by William Cowan

William Cowan 2021

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission.

All inquiries should be made to the author.

A catalogue entry for this book is available from the National Library of Australia.

Project management and text design by Publish Central
Cover design by Tess McCabe

This book is written in British English.

The paper this book is printed on is certified as environmentally friendly.

Disclaimer: The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

Contents

About the author

William has over 30 years of experience in senior management positions. He has served as an advisor to boards and chief executives worldwide, and been the chief executive officer of a number of listed and unlisted companies.

William has held the position of Director, Key Executive Services, at Directioneering for the past 16 years. Directioneering has grown to be the leading career strategy firm in Australia and New Zealand. It provides individuals and organisations with tailored career transition, career coaching and leadership development services. During his time at Directioneering, William has worked successfully with over 1000 senior executives from every industry, providing them with consulting and advice related to their careers.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was a partner of McKinsey & Co, servicing major clients in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. He led the development of a transformational strategy for the Australian Football League in 1982. In 1983 he led a leveraged buyout of Southern Cross Broadcasting, which grew to become the fourth largest commercial broadcasting network in Australia in the late 1980s.

During the late 1990s, William was the chief executive of Davidson & Associates, the premier career management firm in Australia. Over the next five years, the firm consolidated its position as a leader in South-East Asia, with offices in five countries. During this time, William worked with some of Australias and Asias most senior executives, providing them with career management advice and counsel. In 1998, the firm was voted the best service firm in Australia by readers of BRW magazine.

William was the chairman of various boards and committees in a number of not-for-profit organisations. These included Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, and the Australian International Opera Awards. He led the development of a strategy to strengthen Victorian Thoroughbred Racing as a world leader in 1995.

He was educated at the University of Melbourne where he obtained Engineering and Commerce degrees. He was awarded exhibitions in Economics. In 1970, he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship by the Commonwealth Fund in New York for study at Harvard Business School. This fellowship enabled him to obtain a Master of Business Administration with High Distinction in 1972 from the Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar.