From public scrutiny to personal zigzags, Horatio Georgestone’s Civil Service story is anything but linear. As part of our Unofficial Guides event series, he pulled back the curtain on the messy, meaningful lessons that have shaped his leadership. The result? An honest conversation about growth, resilience and redefining what success looks like.

Here are three truths from Horatio’s career that are worth pinning to your desk.

1.Feedback isn’t fatal – absorb, adapt, move on

“It’s hard not to take Select Committee criticism personally. But you have to move past the bruising.”

Horatio spoke candidly about the sting of public feedback. Early in his career, he took tough questions and scrutiny to heart, especially when they felt personal. Over time, he learned to step back, sift the helpful from the hostile, and use criticism to sharpen his thinking.

Now, he sees feedback as fuel. His advice? Don’t let it define you, but don’t ignore it either.

Horatio’s advice:

• Write down key feedback, wait 24 hours, then re-read with a clearer head.
• Ask trusted colleagues to help you distinguish between signal and noise.
• Use tough feedback as a prompt to improve, not as proof you’re failing.
• Rehearse your response to scrutiny; it builds confidence under pressure.

2. You don’t need all the answers to lead

“The best leaders I know? Great listeners.”

In a system where decisions matter, Horatio says there’s power in pausing. Rather than rushing to solutions, he values leaders who ask good questions, listen deeply, and create space for others to shine.

He shared how, as he grew in seniority, he deliberately let go of the urge to be the expert in the room. That shift not only boosted team confidence but also created space for better ideas.

Horatio’s advice:

• In meetings, speak last when you can- and notice what emerges.
• Keep a “curiosity list” of things you want to learn from others.
• Let go of needing the best idea; champion the one that works.
• Praise input, not just outcomes.

3. Careers zigzag – and that’s healthy

“It only looks like a straight climb when you zoom out.”

Horatio’s CV covers policy, delivery, strategy, and crisis response- but he’s quick to clarify: it wasn’t all planned. Some moves were opportunistic, some reactive, and some driven by curiosity or necessity.

The throughline? Staying open to what’s next, not just what’s expected. He urged attendees to own their narratives, not compare them to others.

Horatio’s advice:

• Sketch your career as a timeline, then mark the turning points and what drove them.
• Reframe “off-piste” roles as breadth, not detours.
• Focus less on titles; focus more on what energises you.
• Remember, both peaks and plateaus play a role.

Conclusion: Leadership grows through listening

Horatio’s reflections were a refreshing reminder that seniority doesn’t mean certainty. His humility, humour, and hard-won wisdom made space for honest questions and deeper reflection.

If you’re facing feedback, feeling unsure, or simply wondering if your path makes sense, this talk was for you.

Subscribe to The Unofficial Guides blog to never miss an update, and follow us on LinkedIn for fresh career tips.