Steve Jurkovich – Chief Executive, Kiwibank

My first job was at a fish and chip shop and later, a supermarket butchery cleaning up the waste.

I got my first career job as a bank teller. I had a great manager who supported me and showed me how to "show up" at work. It instilled in me a lot of things: timeliness, standards, care factor, and pride.

It also taught me that every day is opening night. Show up and be at your best for that day.

It was also an insight into a business that I found interesting. Up until then, it had been sports (with slightly better than average ability).

I started to realise what the CEO did when I was Head of Online at ASB in 2003. To be honest, I didn't target that role; rather I wanted to be at the top table.

The top table (Executive Committee) looked like a giant stretch and achievement. I didn’t think I’d ever become CEO.

I tried for two CEO roles before the Kiwibank role. One was not even close and I am embarrassed by my approach (!), and the second was a silver medal.

I got broad experience across the industry before the Kiwibank CEO role. As a lawyer, then legal counsel then technology leader (both in a bank), wealth management leader, corporate banking leader, then corporate/commercial/markets leader.

I learnt to push performance in the right way, took bigger opportunities when available, and I got very lucky.  

Due diligence never reveals the true position so you’ve got to get over it. At Kiwibank, it took years to get the start line that I imagined would be a given. The repair work to be done was a lot more than I imagined.

Get the best (I mean best and no compromises!) possible team you can then get behind them and out of their way.

I love seeing people make progress. I have the freedom to create opportunities for our team and customers.

Work out your super power(s) and give yourself the chance to use them as much as you can every day for good.