What is more important, talent or drive?
Drive. You have to have passion and drive to succeed in business. The best business leaders are the cheerleaders of their companies, modelling the way and inspiring their teams to deliver the companies vision. Passion inspires passion and high performance cultures.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success? Five. I think luck always has a role to play but you have to see the opportunity and grab it and make it work for you. You cannot rely on luck alone!

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. The most creative idea poorly executed will flop, while a brilliant, inspired execution of a simple idea can be stunningly effective.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. The context will dictate whether passion or objectivity is required, but if I had to choose one overriding quality, I would choose passion every time. We are all looking to be part of something meaningful, to be proud of the company we work for and what we are achieving individually and as a team. Passionate people inspire this sense of something bigger and that, combined with effective action and communication, results in a high performance culture.

What is most and least important? Please rank your priorities.

1. Drive
   Relationship skills
   Confidence
   Talent
   Organisational skills

What one trait has helped you most in business?
Probably both drive and relationship skills. Business is built on relationships - with clients, with suppliers and with team members. People do business with people, so being driven and passionate about what you do and asking people for their help (and being prepared to give yours in return) has always worked for me.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
It took me a long time to learn how to delegate. When I did, I realised that, since I am fortunate to work with a team of motivated, intelligent people, most of them can do the job at hand better than me. I also realised that delegation is not abdication. Having the right people around you will make you and your company successful every time.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
I learned that people make all the difference and that waiting for the right person for the right role is critical. They say you have to "kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a prince" and that is very true in recruitment. I learned it by making key appointments too hastily. It also taught me the value of making people accountable and giving honest feedback, right from the beginning.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
In a word: volunteer. Step forward and be counted. You get the responsibilities you take on in life.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Every modern definition of happiness includes: good health, loving relationships, meaningful work and community involvement. I think too many of us, men and women, think we have to compartmentalise our lives. I think the key is to integrate all those things. Work/life balance as a phrase implies you have to balance "awful work" with "good life" - you don't. You have to integrate the various aspects of your life, prioritise on a daily basis and not draw such definite boundaries between each area. At Toga, we endeavour to make sure we are there for the critical moments in both our family and our work lives.