Leadership Journeys [188] - Alan O Prey - "Successful people are the most adaptable"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

29-07-2024 • 40 mins

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.


Join us for an inspiring conversation with Alan O'Prey, CEO of Circet UK, as he shares his remarkable journey from engineering to leading a telecoms giant.

Alan opens up about overcoming life-changing challenges and seizing unexpected opportunities that propelled his career.

Discover his insights on adaptability, creating a thriving work environment, and the future of the telecom industry.

Alan's passion for his work and dedication to his team offer valuable lessons for leaders navigating today's fast-paced business landscape.

Don't miss this engaging discussion that promises to fuel your leadership growth and innovation.


You can find Alan O Prey at the below links

In the interview, Alan shares

  • "A company of our size and scale offers not just challenges, but a lot of opportunities and great things happening."
  • "I've been in telecom since I was 19, starting as an engineering apprentice until a bout of meningitis changed my path."
  • "Luck is when you are adaptable to a situation to make it work for you."
  • "Successful people are the most adaptable. It means using our character, personality, drive, and hunger to thrive."
  • "If you'd given me a thousand guesses at 19, I would never have said I wanted to be a CEO."
  • "Our company is on a significant growth trajectory, focusing on fiber and exploring new industries like solar power and green energy."
  • "People now want to know what the business can do for them, how they are valued, and what their career path looks like from day one."
  • "Creating a safe environment where people can make mistakes is crucial for innovation and success."
  • "As a CEO, it's essential to realize that your role is a lifestyle, blending work and personal life in harmony."
  • "The biggest opportunity is to ensure our company is a place where no one wants to leave and everyone wants to join."