Jo Rzymowska: the Celebrity Cruises Managing Director on getting promoted and thriving from day one

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As the leader of travel company Celebrity Cruises’ UK and Ireland operations, everywoman Club member Jo Rzymowska knows a thing or two about the pressure of taking on a big new role.

18 months into her tenure at the helm of the luxury cruise specialist, she shares her insight into positioning yourself as promotion-ready, getting your priorities straight during those daunting first few months and the key source of
confidence that can see you shine in spite of your nerves.

 

If there’s no promotion in sight, don’t get disheartened: demonstrate that you’ve got the right attitude and be first in line when an opportunity comes along.

I’m a great believer that attitude is more important than skillset. For anyone in my team who might not have an opportunity right around the corner, I want to see them putting their hands up, using positive language, wanting to try new
things, and getting involved in parts of the business beyond their remit. As a leader it’s a joy to see that and it’s those individuals who come to your mind when an opportunity arises for a member of your team: if someone has the right
attitude but only 60% of the skills, they’ve got the job, because I can help them with the other 40%. If you’re getting a bit “woe is me” because there’s no immediate opportunity for you, it’s likely to reflect in your attitude, so take
inspiration from John F Kennedy and ask yourself not what your company can do for you, but what you can do for your company. That’s what will make you really stand out.

READ MORE: Prepare for your promotion like a pro

 

Choose the right time to move on and up wisely – but think about breadth of experience too.

Early on in my career I strategically planned to move every five years. I felt it was important to get experiences in different organisations. In my early career I’d very much gone down a corporate route and so in the late 1990s I took
on board my entrepreneur father’s advice and put myself to the test by going to work for a start up. He’d always said that it’s easier for people in large companies to continue on without
making a difference, than it is to try running a small business. The experience was a massive learning for me and a really exciting one, which gave me a whole new perspective when I later went back into the corporate world.

 

Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the requisite skills; women apply only if they meet 100% of them.

Hewlett Packard

 

READ MORE: Getting started in a new role: your personal checklist

 

Continually cultivate your network.

I’d go as far as saying that networking has been the crux of the success of my career. It’s massively important, to the point that pretty much all of my moves have been network-related. But it’s important not to network just for the
sake of networking. Approach it with a view of learning, listening and getting to know people meaningfully.

 

67% of everywoman Network members acknowledge that they need to develop both their internal and external networks.

 

Webinar: Connecting with connectors

 

It’s happened quite naturally for me, in that one of my greatest excitements in life is walking into a room of strangers, because I simply love meeting new people. It’s also important to remember that building a network isn’t just about
finding the next role; it’s as much about being able to pick up the phone to someone you admire or trust to ask for their opinion on something that’s going on in your business or the industry.

I know that not everyone feels as at ease with strangers. In that case it’s important to look for the connectors around you. I always make a conscious effort to be the one making introductions. It’s a key part of my newcomers’
inductions.

 

Got your promotion? Take confidence from the fact someone is putting their trust in you.

I was very honoured to be asked to head up Celebrity Cruises in the UK and Ireland. As a brand it’s far less known than our parent company Royal Caribbean, and I really enjoy working in what I call ‘brand challengers’ where you can
really have fun and try out new things as you raise the status. Because I already worked in the business as a sales and marketing director, the main feeling I had around taking on the new role of Managing Director was one of desperately
not wanting to let anyone down. Throughout all of that I was able to take a lot of confidence from the fact that the CEO was trusting me to do the job. Whether you’ve been invited
into a position or you’re offered it following a recruitment process, let that be your confidence booster in those early days when everything’s new and a bit daunting – particularly if you’re doubting whether you’re up to the job.

 

57% of everywoman Network members say it took a little while to feel comfortable in their new roles.

 

READ MORE: The six people you’ll meet in a new job – and how to deal with them

 

Set priorities carefully and don’t waste energy on less important things.

There’s a definite feeling of pressure to make an impact in your early days in a new job – I still feel it every day, 18 months into my role. The important thing is to ensure you’re always learning, which is something that I get in
bucket loads from the younger members of my team who I see as the trendsetters in business today, particularly when it comes to new technology and social media. Don’t limit your
learning to the organisation thought – look for opportunities to network externally so you can learn more about what’s going on in the wider industry. If you’re a passionate, driven perfectionist like me, you might have to accept that
you’ll never feel that you’ve really ‘cracked it’, but when the going gets tough you do have to consciously take a break and ask yourself what really matters. What are the key changes you could make that will really make a difference?
There shouldn’t be more than, say, five key priorities and when you’re getting all bent out of shape over something, take a breath and ask yourself if it relates to one of those priorities. Trying to take on everything is unrealistic
and can quickly become an Achilles heel. Set high standards for yourself, but be aware that you can’t be Superwoman.

 

Know yourself; be yourself

Be authentic in your new job: know who you are and bring that personal brand to work. Although I take my job very seriously, I really like to have fun at work and it’s
important to me that I bring that quality to the office and my work with the team. Equally important is that I’m open, honest and direct. At the same time, it’s crucial, particularly as a leader, that you’re representing the
organisation, whether that’s at a networking event or on social media. That’s why it’s so important that you really understand the culture of the business you’re joining.

 

 

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