Episode #7 Stephen Shortt: The Career Strategist Redefining Happiness in Business

Stephen Shortt is a serial entrepreneur and career strategist with a passion for helping people find fulfilling and rewarding careers. Drawing on his experiences growing up in two family businesses, Stephen shares candid insights into the unique challenges of legacy leadership and how these shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and talent development.

In this episode, Stephen opens up about his battles with imposter syndrome and how he turned those challenges into opportunities for growth. He discusses his Successful Succession framework, which helps family businesses thrive without losing sight of relationships, and the universal importance of aligning career choices with personal values.

Stephen’s work extends across several ventures, including ETC Consult and CareerFit, where he combines strategic planning with talent assessment to help individuals and organisations achieve their goals. Beyond his professional endeavors, Stephen’s role as a former Global Chair of the GSEA competition highlights his commitment to fostering young entrepreneurs, even earning him the title of "Disney Princess" on LinkedIn for his appearance in the Disney+/National Geographic documentary Own The Room.

With an infectious energy and a knack for storytelling, Stephen inspires listeners to navigate their own career paths with authenticity, curiosity, and purpose.

Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome is a universal experience, but it can be managed by challenging self-doubt and focusing on growth.
- Leading a family business brings unique challenges, including balancing legacy with innovation.
- Success is deeply personal and should align with one’s values and sense of fulfillment.
- Building a strong team is about trust, communication, and empowering others to excel.
- Personal branding is a continuous journey that involves self-awareness and authenticity.

Sound Bites
- “Leadership is about listening, learning, and empowering your team to thrive.”
- “Imposter syndrome isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a signal to reflect and grow.”
- “In a family business, you’re not just inheriting a company—you’re inheriting a story.”
- “Success isn’t just about hitting targets; it’s about living in alignment with your values.”

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Scene
04:15 - Growing Up in a Family Business
12:48 - Understanding and Navigating Imposter Syndrome
27:35 - Defining Personal Success
42:10 - Building and Leading High-Performing Teams
57:22 - Aligning Career Choices with Values
01:10:08 - Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways