Q&A: Tanya Sale, CEO, outsource Financial

Good leaders are team players and understand that the ‘journey to success’ is best embarked upon together. I don’t believe that mentality should ever change, irrespective of role or title.

I recently saw a quote on my LinkedIn feed which really resonated with me: “Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” To empower one’s team is such a rewarding and exhilarating experience because you get to see the by-products… creativity, productivity and innovation, which then engenders the culture of your company. 

Who inspires you in business, and why?

Truly, I am most inspired by the members at outsource Financial. Watching the challenges they have faced time and time again and seeing them all rise to the occasion is what I get a buzz out of.

They have had to endure the Sedgwick Report, the royal commission, the Productivity Commission report, not to mention bushfires, floods, a pandemic and now BID. It’s like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes over and over again!

This consistent display of perseverance, tenacity and unwavering determination, in the face of such disruption… how could you not be inspired from it?! 

What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to do as a business lead/principal – and what did you learn from that experience? 

Without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve done was making the jump from a secure salaried job to becoming self-employed, when I decided to start up outsource. But even though it was the most difficult business decision I made, it has also been the most rewarding and exciting journey for me.

There is so much truth to that saying: ‘Nothing worth doing is ever easy’. Starting outsource Financial taught me to really back myself and to give my ambitions the energy, effort and passion I knew they deserved. 

You won the award for CEO of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards 2019 (and outsource Financial were a Gold Partner of the awards this year). What advice would you give to other female business leaders looking to succeed in the finance/broking industry?

Two things: Firstly, do not let anyone intimidate you out of your beliefs, goals, passions, energy… anything that definitively makes you you. It is your unique quips and qualities that should be celebrated, and I’m a big believer that everyone should ‘find their tribe’, so you’re fulfilled professionally. We spend so much time working; it doesn’t make sense to be in a job that you’re not excited to go to each day.

Secondly, it is imperative to know when to listen and when to contribute. Active listening is such an underrated skill – change is made by your example, not your opinion. 

The month of November marks The Adviser’s Women in Finance month, as we profile some of the leading women in this industry. As well as the Women in Finance themed magazine, we’ll also be having female-centric podcasts and running profiles and content in the daily bulletin, too.

Make sure you’re subscribed to The Adviser’s bulletin to ensure you never miss a beat and never miss a podcast episode by subscribing to us now on your preferred podcast provider!

[Related: A winning team]