Michala Hart ─ High-energy cybersecurity professional whose passionate leadership helps drive behaviours that deliver exceptional results...
September 8, 2022 • 3 Minute Read
Michala Hart
Director—BT Security
BT
Are you looking for a high-energy cybersecurity professional whose passionate leadership helps drive behaviours that deliver exceptional results? We know the person—Michala Hart!
Michala Hart is the Director for BT Security. She is responsible for BT’s Security business in the UK, working with customers of all sizes to help them understand the key cyber risks for their business and how they can better protect their operations while enabling their business to thrive in the digital economy. She skillfully executes strategy, navigates barriers, and leads her teams with passion and conviction that helps drive the behaviours that will deliver exceptional results. Michala is a high-energy leader passionate about cybersecurity, and is resolute in the development and nurturing of cyber skills both in early career talent and for those established in their career but wanting to pivot to cyber.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Michala Hart!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
During lockdown I purchased a small flock of sheep – so I am now a part time shepherdess.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
In my current role at BT, I am focused on the domestic market and rarely step on a plane for business – however, prior to BT I would regularly fly over 100k miles commuting to Hong Kong and Tokyo regularly.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
The most adventurous thing I have tried is “Cockscomb”, the red fleshy crest on the top of the head of the cockerel. It was part of a vineyard food and wine pairing in Australia.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Being appointed as a regional Vice President of PCCW to develop their business in Europe quite early in my career was a huge achievement. Building a team from scratch and learning about the dynamic of a culturally and geographically diverse teams and how to motivate them was an incredible learning journey. A very tough experience for me was learning when to walk away from something; it took a few hard knocks before I learned the art of stepping back, reassessing and being willing to pivot versus ploughing on.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I had an American gentleman who appointed himself as my mentor. He was incredible and would spend hours talking through scenarios with me – I am passionate about training horses, so he would ask me how I would deal with a difficult situation with a horse and then we would translate that to a team dynamic. He taught me the importance of taking the time to understand your team members and what motivates them so you can encourage them to be their best.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Pause and take the time to learn from your successes and failures.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
BT is one of the largest employers of apprentices and graduates in the UK, and I have both apprentices and graduates in my team unlike other graduate programs where they rotate around the business. We retain our early career talent within the security division so that we can provide a brilliant learning experience and develop the critical skills for the future.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
5 years ago, I assisted a start-up organisation with securing their initial funding so they could launch an online safety platform for schools to educate children how to use the internet safely. eAWARE is now providing their platform to many schools in the UK, educating hundreds of children to keep them safe online.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
My current development focus is on effective diverse leadership – I am privileged to lead a team which by design is very diverse in terms of ethnicity, gender, and culture and I want to ensure that I am building trust and rapport and able to motivate all team members ensuring that we have a high performing team.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Talent attraction & retention. The brilliant early career talent that we have developed and nurtured is rich pickings for the many of our competitors, so creating an environment for them to meet and exceed their career ambitions without moving to another organisation is by far the biggest business challenge that I am facing today.
