A Minute with the Masters - Colin Morgan

A Minute With The Masters is 10 questions that IDEATE Ireland ask successful entrepreneurs. The questions are adapted from Tim Ferriss’s book ‘Tribe of Mentors’.

Colin Morgan, CEO, Key Capital

Colin Morgan is Chief Executive Officer at Key Capital. Colin qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC and has over 20 years’ financial services experience with senior roles at Dresdner Bank, Credit Suisse, Moneybox and Quinn Insurance. Colin also has significant operational management experience as CEO of Setanta Sports and COO of Airsynergy. Colin is an active volunteer in the GAA, and sits on the boards of SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh and GAAGO.

1. What is the book you’ve given most as a gift?

Barbarians at the Gate – a great read and brilliant introduction to finance.

2. What purchase of €100 or less has impacted mostly in your life?

A referee’s whistle for underage GAA training.

3. How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

A small issue if not sorted quickly can become a big problem, so be decisive and deal with issues as they come up….don’t let it fester.

4. Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?

 Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good……..perfection rarely exists and it's better to get good at something first and then continuously improve.

5. What are the best investments you’ve ever made?

Saving hard for a deposit to buy a flat when I lived in London. In reality you cannot do everything in life – owning a house (which may not be for everyone by the way) is not a right, it requires sacrifice. The same applies to starting a business or developing a career.

6. What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I actually love driving…which is good given my 75km commute.

7. What new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Walking early on a Saturday and Sunday morning…I live in the countryside and it is a fantastic way to start the weekend days.

8. What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student?

The first 10 years of your career should be about learning and experience so that’s all you should rank a new job on, not money or WFH policies….you will learn more in an office/factory/site in a day than a week WFH.

9. What have you become better at saying no to in the last five years?

My children’s demands….and getting involved in things where we cannot add value.

 10. When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

Speak with someone you trust. It’s amazing how liberating it can be when you share a problem. A good friend or colleague will take on some of the burden and help you sort it.

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For more information and to see profiles of other business leaders: IDEATE Ireland