Meet Anthony Wallace

We were lucky to catch up with Anthony Wallace recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Anthony with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I was raised by a single-mother and I grew up fairly poor, I knew at a very young age that I wanted a different path in life, and that putting the extra work into school, sports, part-time jobs, etc., would give me the best opportunity to grow in my potential. My mother also instilled in me that everyone has an opportunity to do great things, but the people who put in the greatest effort generally make the biggest impact.

After several roles in my professional career, I became very grateful for those opportunities and never took it for granted. I am currently working in my 19 role in healthcare, and after being placed in each role I knew that I had to deliver for the person(s) who gave me the opportunity, and try to leave each business in a better place than when I started.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I joined the healthcare industry more than 28 years ago as a representative and quickly realized the direct impact that healthcare innovation played in the health and wellness of family, friends and millions of patients in need. I have been very fortunate to be offered an opportunity to gain a diverse set of skills through a progressive career of 19 different positions covering responsibilities in sales, marketing, operations and leadership. I continue to enjoy a career of personal and professional development, while contributing towards the advancement of public health and impact on shareholder return. While the healthcare industry has gone through significant change, I am just as excited about the future of the industry today as I was nearly 3 decades ago.

Today, I have the luxury of leading a business in surgical ophthalmology with a team of purpose-driven colleagues who work tirelessly every day to deliver for patients. Our 5 year ambition is to double the number of patients we reach with our surgical products, making lasting impact on patients by helping them see better to live better.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In my opinion, the 3 most important qualities are curiosity, focus and adaptability. My advice is to always stay curious, ask questions and never try to be the smartest one in the room. Check your ego at the door, be vulnerable and practice life-long learning. Maintain focus on what matters most, and be prepared to adapt with ongoing uncertainty. You’ll never know everything, and someone will always have greater skill or knowledge, but the disciplines of learning and adapting will consistently prevail.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Grit, by Angela Duckworth has left a lasting impact on me. According to Angela, success is driven by passion and perseverance, not simply talent. I have always believed that purpose, passion and perseverance drives success. I played hockey from early childhood, into high school and college. I was never the most talented player. I was not the biggest, fastest, strongest player, but I loved the game and I always knew that I had to be well prepared, practice twice as hard, learn how to play physical, and give everything that I had during a 45 second line shift. This speaks to the fact that everyone has an opportunity, and we all have a chance to make impact.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajwallace1/