Maxme: We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds … 

Welcome Jodie, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight! 

You’re the Owner and Managing Director of SAVVY Youth & Student - the regional manager, distributor and promoter of International Student Identity Card (ISIC) across Australia & New Zealand.

In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?

Jodie Kilian: I’d love to say something glamorous, but it’s rather simple. My role entails a combination of understanding, evaluating and connecting in all facets of the business these days, but mostly with people. From our youth and student members to our experienced business partners. My role connects all the dots and the part I love most, finding new dots to potentially connect to. Simple right!

M: You’ve been running the SAVVY Youth & Student show for almost two years now, but have a deep (~18+yr) career across business strategy and development in the B2B travel & international student education sectors. For almost two decades you’ve held senior management, business development, sales, director & GM roles for leading brands including the likes of STA Travel, AMEX, Health Spa Club, Business Travel by STA and more.

How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?

JK: I’ve always tried to look for roles that excite me, and provide growth for opportunity either for the business or personally. I’m a massive advocate for embracing change and looking at a challenge square on and knowing we’re about to learn something new as we work towards the solution. Over the years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people and build new departments, programs, and deliver projects that have really aligned with what makes me tick and have forced me to step out of my comfort zone which I love.

M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?

JK: I travelled and worked abroad as soon as I finished high school, as I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. All I knew was that I needed to see and experience more. I ended up doing a qualification in Sports Nutrition and Psychology in the UK, as I thought I would likely follow a career in the sports industry, since I played a few sports competitively and loved being in that environment. However when I eventually decided to move back home and find a role, I was more excited about sharing my experience and connecting with people to help them gain the life experience I had whilst living and working abroad. So, it would be fair to say my formal qualification is yet to be used, however my life experience I gained at that young age created the foundation for everything that has followed after that. Without that practical and essential life experience and learning how to connect with people of all cultures, age and experience, I honestly would not have jumped at many of the opportunities that have come my way over the years. And now, being fully immersed in the student and youth mobility industry, that life experience is now more valuable for me than any qualification could have been, as I need to connect with people on a daily basis and it’s these inter-personal skills I learnt all those years ago,  that have shaped my life and career so far.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...

JK: I would say, don’t hesitate, believe you are worth it, seek to learn and go for big, don’t settle for average or medium. The hardest person to convince sometimes is yourself, so convince her first.

M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?

JK: We work in an industry where change is constant and demanding from our audience, in order for us to stay relevant. And for us to stay relevant, we need to connect with and understand our audience in depth. How do we do this? We connect with them human to human as often as we can. Communication is a core human skill, and is required in every aspect of life and this is something we put a lot of focus on within our business.

M: Self awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. What’s your strongest trait / personal super power?

JK: My mind is constantly at full steam, thinking, planning - I am full of ideas. Especially ideas that create growth or solve problems. Throw in some change-making and the need to evolve those ideas, and you have me at my best.

M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?

JK: Listening to understand. I get so excited about ideas and opportunities, I forget to take a moment to really listen. Being able to listen is great, but learning how to’ listen to understand’ is incredibly powerful and something I have really had to work on.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work for an organisation like SAVVY Youth & Student - ISIC AU & NZ , what would it be?

JK: I’d have to say, ‘keep your mind open’ and be prepared to learn every day, and even more importantly, to ‘want to learn’ more every day.

M: You’ve been granted approval to add one Uni graduate to your business, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?

JK: I’d be looking for someone that can connect with the purpose of the business, so their ability to communicate their ‘why’ would be critical. Communication and connecting are key for me.

M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” What’s next on your learning agenda?

JK: I’m learning or at least trying to learn Japanese. I absolutely love Japan and have always loved the culture and my business trips there, but always felt disconnected to some degree as I couldn’t speak the language at all. I’d really like to bridge that gap and be able to connect better with people there when I visit.

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