Don't Ask About WFH: This Top Exec’s Guide to Job Interviews

Why It Matters

Walsh’s insights provide finance leaders and aspiring professionals with actionable strategies to navigate volatile markets, rapid integrations, and career advancement in a client‑centric, network‑driven environment.

Key Takeaways

• Embrace long‑term perspective while meeting quarterly shareholder expectations.
• Adapt quickly during crises; leverage integration to reshape teams.
• Prioritize client‑centric thinking over internal processes for better service.
• Say “yes” to diverse projects early, then set boundaries later.
• Network strategically in small markets; maintain relationships without burning bridges.

Summary

The interview with Felicity Walsh, managing director of Franklin Templeton Australia and New Zealand, centers on her leadership philosophy and practical advice for job interviews and career growth. Walsh explains how the firm’s unique blend of family ownership and public‑company responsibilities creates a dual focus on long‑term patience and short‑term performance pressure, especially amid market turbulence triggered by geopolitical events like the Iran‑US conflict.

Key insights include the importance of maintaining a calm, long‑term outlook during crises, rapidly integrating the Legg Mason acquisition in 2020, and restructuring teams to align with new asset classes. Walsh stresses a client‑centric mindset—always asking how a client will receive a message—and advises early‑career professionals to say “yes” to varied projects to build breadth before setting boundaries.

Notable moments feature Walsh’s mantra, “Back yourself,” and a vivid example of deciding whether to send a team member to New York for a due‑diligence trip, illustrating her pragmatic approach to balancing perception and value. She also highlights the critical role of networking in Australia’s tight‑knit market while cautioning against burning bridges.

The conversation underscores that finance leaders must balance patience with urgency, leverage crisis‑driven integration for growth, and cultivate client‑focused, adaptable cultures. For emerging talent, embracing diverse experiences and strategic networking can accelerate promotions and long‑term success.

Original Description

As the managing director of Franklin Templeton in Australia and New Zealand, Felicity Walsh has done her fair share of job interviews.

In that time, the local head of the global asset manager has figured out what candidates should – and should not – do during the process.

This week, BOSS (https://www.afr.com/boss) editor Sally Patten sits down with the top executive to find out her tips on researching prospective employers and potential interviewees, and when to ask about working from home.

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