Leading through change: Our new General Manager on what makes a winning company culture

Where would we be without our leaders? A strong leader can make all the difference when it comes to building a company culture that can withstand changes, challenges and triumphs.

On establishing Voyage, Founder Ryan O’Hara says, “I knew I needed good people around me that shared the same vision and values - for not only what I wanted to deliver to clients but the kind of working environment I wanted to create.”

Shannon Holmes delivered on this in spades, bringing to Voyage 15 years’ development experience and a clear perspective of what constitutes quality leadership, not to mention just being a genuinely kind guy. This month, we were excited to announce Shannon’s promotion to General Manager of Voyage, tasked with commandeering our band of merry men and women as we tackle top-tier client projects.

I sat down with Shannon to discuss all things Voyage and his time here, as well as his take on what makes excellent leaders and a strong company culture.

There's a genuine care at Voyage about the people and their lives, their well-being and happiness, and that comes first.

CK: What's one thing that stands out from your 4.5 years at Voyage?

SH: For me, it's definitely the people and the camaraderie - the way we come together. We’ll rally around each other regardless of what’s going on, during good times and difficulties. There's a genuine care at Voyage about the people and their lives, their well-being and happiness, and that comes first.

CK: Is that what made you stay on with Voyage, and what brought you to the company in the first place?

SH: Prior to Voyage I spent 15 years with a company that went through many changes, and it made me see how values can shift and business growth alone can take precedence over people. In my first conversation with Ryan it was obvious that, yes, he wanted to do great work, but he truly cared about people’s wellness, happiness and enthusiasm, and that these core values shouldn’t be sacrificed for quick wins. This really stood out to me as it’s something I’m passionate about myself.

SH: As a developer, it’s also always exciting to work on high quality web applications, web design, mobile applications and digital experiences in general. It’s a great feeling to be proud of the work you do, and enjoy the people you do it with.

CK: Can you share more about your time at Voyage?

SH: I started out as a Senior Developer, and at this stage the company was still small - I was number six to join. I was brought on as a skilled operator, and with the majority of the existing team hired out of university or for junior roles, this was a different hire for the business. I really enjoyed getting into the thick of it on the development side of things, but it wasn’t too long after I was brought on that we started to grow, and fast.

SH: We doubled in size in a very short period and this meant we needed more depth in the management structure. So I transitioned into the Development Manager role, taking care of our team of developers. Eventually, I was ready for the next leap. I love what I do - I have a passion for it and love seeing people succeed - and I really wanted to proliferate that outwards so I could apply my skill set to the wider team and contribute to their career journeys as well. That led to this new role as GM.

I never want to see someone as a number or simply a resource for a business. I want to know what makes people tick.

CK: Can you share your biggest values when it comes to leadership, and what you really want to bring to the GM role?

SH: One of the founding values I always fall back on is: lead with compassion and humanity. I never want to see someone as a number or simply a resource for a business. I want to know what makes people tick. I want to take the time to get to know what makes someone who they are, relating to them as a human being. This makes a massive difference.

SH: I also always like to lead from the front, to be right there for the extra hours that need to go in, join in on meetings even if I’m not directly contributing, and support in any way I can - even if that’s making coffees. In fact, another big principle for me is that as a leader no job should be beneath you. One of my nicknames around here is the Shanitor, because no matter what it is I’ve been known to jump in and help out. I’ve seen time and again, if you put in your best effort and commitment, relish the opportunity and the people you’re working with, amazing things happen.

CK: Do you have any other examples of these leadership values in practice?

SH: When we talk about being people first at Voyage, that holds true. It was one of the five founding values and we still deliver on it, no matter what. I respect Ryan tremendously for the fact that he’s never once wavered from this commitment. Just the other day, he was saying to me, “We should do something more around paternity and maternity leave. What more can we do above and beyond what the Government requires us to do?” That’s just the type of person he is, and that empowers me to deliver on what I want to achieve too.

SH: In terms of examples, there are many, and many over the years that were forward-thinking. For instance, four years prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Voyage team were always able to work from wherever we wanted to, without specific requirements around that. The focus has always been on the delivery, not on where you’re working. We operate on a high level of trust and we get great feedback.

Voyage was chosen to be part of NZ's initial digital response to COVID-19. When a company leads with compassion, it has a team ready to go the extra mile.

SH: To that point, during that initial lockdown Voyage was chosen to be part of the team behind the New Zealand Government's initial digital response to the virus, and we saw first-hand that when a company leads with compassion, it has a team ready to go the extra mile. We built the official Government website in 48 hours, and it wouldn’t have happened without the team exemplifying our values - not just for the benefit of our company but for all New Zealanders.

SH: We also have many examples of how we champion health and wellness through leadership. Our Internal Days are an evolution of a practice we brought in right at the start, and now it means for one Friday a month we shut up shop and everyone gets a paid day off. Also, for the most recent Movember, Ryan matched all of our donations, which he didn’t have to do but he did, and that offers such a boost of camaraderie and care.

CK: How do the values of people first, and health and wellness, impact you personally?

SH: I personally have battled with mental health, specifically anxiety, since I was a kid right through my entire life. I was undiagnosed until my early 20s and it shaped much of my life up to then. The fact that we put such value on people's wellness and mental health at Voyage is a big factor of why I'm here and why I'm so passionate about what we do.

I know first-hand it doesn’t matter who you are, mental health conditions do not discriminate and they can develop at any stage.

SH: I know first-hand it doesn’t matter who you are, mental health conditions do not discriminate and they can develop at any stage. Knowing that this company is trying to do something about it for its people makes a massive difference to the drive to come to work every day and really deliver something great. And its not just the policies we put in place, its the caring environment that allows us to all talk openly about our struggles without judgement that is making a difference.

CK: What do you do to fill your own cup, what do you do when you're not at the helm of the voyage ship?

SH: I've got a fairly young family - I've got a nine-year-old and a six-and-a-half-year old - and they keep me very busy. Beyond that, I’m very close with my brother, we catch up often and play video games a couple of times a week. And I still connect with people who I grew up with, people I went to preschool with. We catch up weekly and I just love doing that. And I love Lego, that’s something I’m into.

CK: I can't help but notice the theme ‘of people first’ seems to run through your life as a whole.

SH: Definitely - it's all about the people you're with and what you're doing with them. It’s like that old saying goes, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey and who you’re on it with.” And that’s true for Voyage 100%. In life and in work I ask myself, why am I making the decisions I’m making? And I can say it’s true for myself, Ryan and Voyage as a company that our baseline is kindness and compassion. Whether we’re making a difficult decision or not, we start with what’s best for the people we’re with. This makes for a great life, and a great workplace.

In life and in work I ask myself, why am I making the decisions I’m making?

CK: Thank you so much to the Shanitor himself. Any closing words?

SH: All of these aspects of work and culture contribute to genuinely happier people, and happier people produce great results, and that results in great customer outcomes. It’s a win, win, win.