This week on the Strivin & Thrivin podcast we caught up with Michael Delaney, Head of Talent at Humanforce, the shift-based workforce platform. For those considering a career change, Michael shares insight into his successful and unexpected career pivot, or should we say pirouette?

The first 15 years of his career, Micheal spent as a professional ballet dancer, performing everything from Swan Lake to Bananas in Pyjamas. Now, in a completely different field of work, he can still be relied upon to get the dancefloor moving. During our chat, we discuss what it takes to make a complete career change and the people who helped him succeed.

“It's funny, you know, when you talk to someone who really knows what they're doing, it's amazing, the insights that you get - who knew that experts could really help you grow and plan?”

Michael reflects fondly on his first female mentor, during a time when mentors were formally recognised and gets to the crux of what it means to be a good mentor.

“It's not always about telling them what to do. It's about asking them questions and letting them come to the realization that they could maybe look at things in a different way.”

The past year has seen Michael juggle being both a mentee and a mentor. Supporting those who have lost their jobs due to COVID, he has been working for a programme called Jobs for Australia, career coaching and guiding mentees on how to navigate the unknown landscape. Killing two birds with one stone, he also used the platform to land his new role at Humanforce.

During our conversation, we learn the value people can gain both personally and professionally, by having a mentor from someone who has been on both sides of the fence.

“I have a personal mantra in life that every day try and make somebody feel better and mentoring is a great way to make people feel better.”

Listen to Michael’s podcast on Strivin & Thrivin now, where we learn what it takes to be a successful career mentor and how Michael went from one-man show to team player.