Women In Leadership | An Interview with Holly Knill | Group Director, IP & Content Products, Foxtel

Career

Originating in New Zealand, Holly studied English and Politics before joining Television New Zealand as a ‘rookie’ journalist. With an impressive career that has moved her from New Zealand to London, Abu Dhabi and Australia (with a few pit stops in between), Holly has worked on many innovations in Media, including digital TV channels, websites and interactive ‘red button’ apps, mobile TV, the UK’s ground-breaking Sky Go and, closer to home, OTT products for the Australian Open, the Rio Olympic Games and Foxtel’s Content and IP products. She has predominantly worked within large broadcasting companies but has also enjoyed her time working with start-ups who are devoted to solving business and consumer problems with innovative thinking.

Holly’s journalist instinct has played a part in the choices she has made and so far, it has ‘mostly’ paid off, but that doesn’t mean it has been without its challenges. Holly has a strong presence and can hold her own corner and she is not afraid to call out wrongdoings in the workplace. Like many of her peers, Holly has experienced workplace sexism, direct and passive. She will respond directly when asked about the ‘size of her balls’, being ‘too aggressive’ and having ‘too much testosterone’, and finds men can feel uncomfortable when asked the same questions, not that men typically ask each other these questions. She has been direct with colleagues and manager when sexist remarks, unconscious bias and bullying impact their working relationship or perception in the workplace. So, don’t be mistaken, she can definitely hold her own in Australia’s ‘Boys Club’ culture.

Leadership

Holly’s managers have been predominantly male and have all had different leadership styles. She learns from both the good and the bad and has realised that turning the bad to good results in the most rewarding work experiences.

Qualities she admires:

• Intellect – people that know their craft (bad behaviour can go hand in hand with brilliance)
• Passion for what they do
• Honesty
• Being able to challenge people and bring out the best in them
• Empathy

Holly is an honest and direct person, so will always tell her team what she expects and likes to leave them with a laugh or smile on their face. She wants to get the best out of them so that they can achieve something great, which they can use in their future roles.

Teams

Holly embraces opportunities to diversify her teams because her experience has shown it yields better results. Media and product development can be very ‘white male’ and without disruption, the unconscious biases can lead to dangerous group-think, poor customer experiences and financially risky situations. Diversity is crucial in great product design and service if you want to reach the widest possible customer base. She has recruited numerous teams throughout her career comprising different genders, religions, race, political beliefs, sport preferences and socio-economic backgrounds. The one constant upon which she is uncompromising is their talent.

Mentors

Holly likes to have mentors, although not necessarily in an official mentoring capacity. She will take inspiration and advice from her manager and other leaders with whom she has an affinity, and keeps old managers and friends in her back pocket for advice as / when needed. Having worked around the world, she can always find someone to lean on for advice if she needs it, regardless of the time. 

Advice

Holly applauds the ‘Me Too’ movement and believes that the majority of younger woman today are more likely to stand up for themselves than their predecessors. Holly’s advice to women starting out in their career is: 

• Be resilient – you get knocked down? You get back up again
• Stand-up for yourself and others. Call bad behaviour out without making it personal (it’s more effective in making a change for good).

Holly is an exceptional woman with an amazing career who has definitely made an impact on the teams she has managed and companies she has worked for. With her direct leadership style, no-nonsense attitude and sense of humour, it is easy to see why she has been so successful and it was a pleasure speaking with her.