Leadership
Published: July 5, 2023 | Updated: 4th July 2023
Welcome back to another 20 Questions, the weekly format which sees us asking some of Hampshire leading lights a series of part fun/part serious questions.
This week we’ve put the spotlight on Alison Craig, Director of Alison Craig Coaching.
She’s a Prince fan with a taste for crime thrillers, and her favourite part of Hampshire is Winchester…
What is your favourite TV show?
At the moment it’s Before We Die, but really any kind of Crime Thriller TV show would be right up my street.
Who would you like to share a car with?
I would go with a lady called Miss Horrigan, who was my religious studies teacher. She’s unfortunately passed away now, but her knowledge of different cultures and people was amazing and has had a massive influence on what I’ve gone on to do.
The best bit of my job is..?
Helping people perform at their best and become more confident.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be Kind to myself and recognise my capability, because that’s not being arrogant.
Who was your childhood hero?
Either Anne Frank or Rosa Parks, because I thought both of them were incredibly brave.
What’s your favourite smell?
My favourite smell is fresias.
Where’s your favourite place in Hampshire?
Winchester, I love the fact that it’s still a quaint old city. One of my favourite walks is along the water meadows, and there’s some great places to eat. It’s different to going to be a big shopping centre.
What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career
Identify where you perform at your best and what you enjoy doing the most, and then work out how you can get more of that, either in your role or in your life.
For example, if you want to be creative, but your current job doesn’t allow for that, work out where else you can find that in your life.
What was your first record/CD?
Adam and the Ants – Prince Charming. It was a vinyl, so that will show my age a little.
What makes you angry?
Thoughtlessness, it doesn’t necessarily make me angry, but it irritates and disappoints me.
Do you have a favourite piece of music?
I do. I’m a Prince fan, so Purple Rain.
What qualities do you look for in a new employee?
Integrity and loyalty. Integrity for me is doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and loyalty doesn’t mean blind loyalty, it would include challenging me if they thought I was going to get something wrong or should think in a different way.
What’s your favourite food or dish?
Either crispy shredded beef, or some kind of risotto.
What three things would you take to a desert island?
A thick notebook (unlined so I can either draw or write), a pencil, and a rubber.
What’s the best thing about living/working in Hampshire?
There are some fantastic connections, and really good support from local businesses. The Bizpedia network, for example, has been growing massively and is really supportive.
What’s your guilty pleasure? (Could be food, music, film, an activity, etc)
Has to be Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser Hot Chocolate, it takes three minutes and it’s amazing.
What’s your biggest frustration?
I think it’s trying to reach people who really need the support. Particularly with newer managers, who have been promoted because they’re brilliant at the day job, but then don’t get the support around how to manage or lead people – it’s how to reach them.
Where’s your favourite holiday location?
It has to be the Maldives, the most wonderful place in the world.
What would surprise people the most about you?
I grew up with parents who bred Persian cats, and they used to manage cat shows. I spent many years going to cat shows every Saturday!
What would you like to be remembered for?
Having a positive impact in people’s lives, making them feel happier and more positive in their working lives, which then has a knock-on effect in their personal lives.
