It’s been more than a decade since I left Capital One where, for 17 years, I leapt out of bed each morning to go to work at a job I loved. There were many reasons I stayed as long as I did, the culture was truth seeking, we were decisive, we cared deeply about people and ultimately created a purpose-led strategy that ensured we were doing good in the world. For more than a decade it’s felt like I was working for a paycheck. There were some moments, highlights, people with whom I formed meaningful and lasting relationships of course, but by and large I drew the conclusion that what I stumbled into at Capital One had become a permanent part of my past, experiences not to be replicated yet with many years of my career still to unfold. Enter ClearScore. I pinch myself each day at the idea that I am, once again to my unexpected delight, finding purpose, creating impact and having fun at what I do. Justin Basini and the amazing team have built an exceptional culture of which truth-seeking and radical candour are cornerstones - we say what we think, are decisive but willing to change our minds based on the data and fail fast. In other words, No BS. We compete in the market rather than against one another and we are led by a consumer-oriented mission that grounds all we do. We win when our users and partners win. And, I leap out of bed to go to work everyday (albeit fighting through a bit of jet lag!). This is me “signing the wall” yesterday, a 6 months right of passage for former newbies like me.
When it comes to winning, Comp is important, results are as well, yet meaningful work is the clearest score of them all.
Capital One are an exceptional company. You were a great UK CEO too and many of us were very sad to see you leave the old place…I’m so glad you found the buzz again Brian! 😎👍
Reclaimed your mojo - that’s a special kind of gift. Love this post, that wall and it makes me smile to think of you and Justin Basini working together again👏🏼
Working with Amber Cross, Martyn Wells, Elaine Makin, Sally Camm, Karen Bowes, Stuart Mather and team at Capital One under your leadership were the things dreams were made of Brian! It truly was a unique culture... a truthful, decisive, creative and FUN environment that brought the best out in everyone and generated 'best place to work' accolades many years running . I'm so happy to hear that you have found another role that creates that same feeling.
What a great post Brian, reinforces why after 25 years at C1, although I don’t leap out of bed at my age, I certainly have a smile on my face each day as I walk through the doors of Trent House ! Glad you have found a new work home :-)
Great to read this Brian Cole! Having purpose & a strong feeling of impact in your professional life makes such a difference to the Sunday night & week day morning feeling! In my experience, the setting that has invoked these feelings the most is when I’ve felt; personal autonomy, a shared mission & purpose at either team or organisation level, a strong pace of change & momentum. I’ve experienced this at a team level in larger organisations (My time in Barclays 2010-2016), plus at an organisation level in scale up organisations (10x Banking / The Bank of London. If only you could bottle up & teach organisations how to instil this feeling in all teams! 🤔 Congrats on the move Brian Cole, long may this energy continue for you! 🚀
Love the candour, but love that you have reignited your mojo even more 👍🏻👊🏻
I think we all miss the old culture at Capital One.. congrats Justin Basini and team!
Always loved your passion, honesty, truth seeking mentality and desire to do meaningful work- I share this common ground with you my friend.
Building Kotak into a pre-eminent world-class institution
6moAnd I thought you would consider your time at Barclays as the very best !!!! Ha ha ha ha !! Just having some fun at your expense !