Patrick Kidd OBE - CEO Invictus Games

On this episode of the active CEO Podcast, Craig Johns speaks with Patrick Kidd OBE about his approach to being driven by service and purpose; empowering your team members; balancing boundaries with the freedom to operate; knowing when to seek advice; the art of planning; and finding the clarity of your strategy. He gives us an in-depth insight into the tight connection and bond developed in the armed forces; the challenges veterans have when transitioning back into society; leadership being driven by context; the purpose of the Invictus Games; the healing power of sport; and how he leads an active CEO lifestyle.

Background

Patrick Kidd OBE is a highly experienced, meticulous and humble leader who has successfully transitioned from serving in the Armed Services to becoming an impressive CEO on debut.

He has a lifelong love of learning and professional development with a Masters of Arts at the Cranfield School of Management, MBA at the Open University, Diploma inSecurity Services at Deakin University and completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course.

He served in the British Army for 20 years and the Australian Defence Force for 10 years before transitioning into a principal consultant role at Deloitte Australia in 2015. His impressive leadership has been recognised, with a Queen’s Commendation in 2000 and an OBE in 2005.

Joining Deloitte Australia in 2015, he focused on strategy and operations consulting to Defence and the Defence Industry. He led the Deloitte team responsible for the Invictus Games Sydney pro-bono effort, which resulted in being appointed as the CEO of the 2018 Invictus Games Sydney.

Patrick talks about:

Bringing together an amazing collection of people who come together because they are trying to make a difference for the good.Creating that atmosphere when things go wrong, the team will come around and support them.The act of planning is everythingBalancing leading the team and the individual.Understanding what it is that you are trying to do and why you are trying to do it.A time when he made a mistake when leading in the Armed Services and the strategies he employed to resurrect the situation.Respecting the world in which you live and the people that you are dealing with.Failing to back his Deputy while in Iraq.The biggest challenges he faced when transitioning from the Armed Services into his role at Deloitte Australia.Former Wallaby Australian Rugby Captain, Stephen Moore, being the catalyst to Australia commencing its bid, in 2014, for theSydney Invictus Games.The Invictus games giving a greater purpose to the staff of Deloitte Australia.Why the Invictus Games is so important to those who have served and the families who have supported them. The Invictus Games being about those individuals that are going to get the most out of the experience.Prince Harry being the inspiration behind the Invictus Games.The “whats next?” The legacy of the Invictus Games.Veterans Sports Australia’s role to bring together the community of people who have served and give them pathways to connect.People often over-analyse problems and situations, when actually sometimes all you need to do is, do something.Learning to ask for help.Switching off and being ready to move into another setting, is an incredibly hard thing to do.The effect that his wife and Sir Winston Churchill have had on his career

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