In this conversation, we chat with Gordon Richardson, President of APAC at Altus Group. Gordon’s career has evolved from chemical engineering to leading major projects across North America and APAC.
Living in New Zealand, Gordon embraces a balanced approach to life and work, starting his days with a walk with his dogs and a strict end to his workday to ensure personal time remains untouched. He discusses the importance of stepping back, the value of hobbies, and making conscious choices to maintain balance in a busy life.
Let’s start with your background! Can you share your career journey and what you’re up to?
My career journey has been built by diverse experiences, each contributing to my professional growth. After a few years as a chemical engineer in the oil industry, in the early 2000s, fresh out of business school, I joined an enterprise software company focusing on mergers and acquisitions.
After acquiring several companies, my CFO suggested I “eat my own dog food”, meaning I should help lead the newly acquired divisions. This led me to become a divisional CFO, until the company went private in 2013. I then joined Altus Group, where I served as a divisional CFO for several years.
In 2020, I relocated to New Zealand to continue this role, before transitioning to the regional president role in the region two years ago. Currently, I oversee significant projects, like the Forbury acquisition we closed last December, while also leading the development advisory business across North America and APAC.
We’d love to know what a typical day is like for you. Could you describe a recent workday?
One of my favourite morning rituals involves enjoying a long black coffee while taking my dogs for a walk. It’s a time when I can connect with nature, savour the tranquillity of the morning, and gather my thoughts for the day ahead.
I work with teams spread across eight different time zones, so most of my weekdays usually kick off around 4 am. I’m an early bird, and I actually enjoy it because it makes me more productive. To avoid burnout, I steer clear of scheduling meetings in the late afternoon and keep my work hours as normal as possible.
To prepare for those early starts, I go to bed early and avoid checking emails after 5:30 pm. I also switch my phone and smartwatch to “Do Not Disturb” mode at night to disconnect from work and unwind. This routine helps me combine work and personal life, while staying on top of my tasks.
Can you define work-life balance for yourself and share your approach to maintaining it with us?
Rather than ‘work-life’ balance, I like to look at it as ‘life-work’ balance. Being based in New Zealand, this is definitely a mantra we carry in our approach to daily lifestyle and is a constant reminder of balance and priorities.
For me, balance is all about prioritising personal well-being and meaningful activities outside of work. For example, when I travel with work, I make it a point to step away from work and explore my surroundings, rather than confining myself to meetings all day. This helps me stay refreshed and connected to the world around me.
Having a hobby also helps with this balancing act. My main hobbies — riding bikes and pilates — allow me to immerse myself in the moment, offering a mental health break from work-related thoughts or stress.
I firmly believe that the essence of this balance lies in what we do outside the office: the purpose of working is to enable us to pursue our passions and enjoy life with family and friends, so reminding myself of this perspective helps me maintain a healthy balance and avoid unnecessary stress.
Change is constant, and it’s essential for growth. Have you made any lifestyle changes in the past year to improve your work-life balance?
One significant change I’ve made in the last 2-3 months is prioritising scheduling non-work activities to ensure they don’t get overlooked.
For example, I now schedule time to take my dogs out just before lunch, allowing me to refresh and recharge during the day. Becoming more intentional about blocking out time for tasks outside of work helps me stay focused on other important aspects of my life without feeling overwhelmed.
Another tip I could give on how to improve this balance is to make the most out of your travels: I try to write down what I want to get out of every place where I’m going so when I look back I can see if it was a good use of my time. I’ve also recently incorporated regular gym sessions into my routine to de-stress and stay physically active, especially during busy travel periods.
We’re always on the lookout for new resources! Can you recommend any books, podcasts, or newsletters that have helped you navigate your balance?
When I read, I want to read a book that takes my mind off things, so I tend to avoid books on business skills. I really like historical fiction, and a book that I have read twice already — and that is based on a true story — is The Autobiography of H.E. Bates. It offers a compelling glimpse into the life of a renowned author and completely absorbs you.
I also find TV can help me relax, escape, and disconnect from work. My favourite genre has to be mystery or detective dramas, like the latest season of True Detective – it’s dark at times, but gripping! To lighten things up after, I turn to an episode of something like Brokenwood Mysteries, a New Zealand drama.
Before we wrap up, do you have any final wisdom or insights on work, life, or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
In today’s fast-paced world, our smartphones and tech have become essential, serving as an extension of ourselves. Why not leverage these tools to achieve a better balance between work and life?
Using technology to remind us to take breaks and stay active is the best way I find that balance. Features like “Do Not Disturb” on devices can be really helpful in creating uninterrupted periods of focus or relaxation when needed most.
We have to embrace the technology at our fingertips to shut ourselves off when we need it most, and not get stuck at our desk every day. A little movement and a break from work can go a long way in enhancing our overall health and happiness.
