Name: Mark Alex

Title: Managing Director

Organisation: Real Biz Digital

I am a servant of God and the Managing Director of Real Biz Digital. Real Biz Digital is a company that leverages emerging technologies to build life-changing solutions. I am also a mentor, a speaker and an author. I have written a book called: A FAITH FUELED LIFE: I RUN ON FAITH AND I'M NEVER RUNNING LOW.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Mark's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

By being one with your word, do not make promises that you cannot fulfill. Be sure to do the things that you have said you will do. When you are one with your word, in time, you will build trust. Jesus became one with His Word when He came to the world to live with human beings. The Bible says in John 1:14 (KJ21) - "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth." Thus, He fulfilled the promises that the prophets had made concerning Him.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

Vision is where you are heading as an individual and as a leader of any group of people. It can be an organization or a community group. Mission represents the present focus of an individual or a group to attain its long-term vision. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) - "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

A leader can empower the people they are leading first by being a righteous example. When Jesus was calling His disciples, he told them, "Follow me." In other words, do as I do. The leader should be the best example of the character traits he wants to witness among his followers. If he wants them to have integrity and to be diligent, he should have integrity and diligence. He will succeed in this easily if he or she accepts Jesus, reads the Word of God, and applies it. This is because the Word of God, which sanctifies, will wash away all the evil traits that are inherent in him and will make him a more noble human being.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

Jesus, Ellen G. White, Pastor Randy Skeete, Pastor Myron Golden. I seek all my counsel and advice from God's Word. Therefore, even when seeking advice from human beings, I usually check if it is in line with God's Word before I follow it. Jesus lived a righteous life despite his circumstances. Ellen G. White produced books of great knowledge despite having such a minimal education, as she could not continue with her education beyond third grade.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

By starting each day with prayer and Bible study. It makes me more energetic and more focused. Also, by having good healthy habits like a vegetarian diet, reducing the amount of food that I take, taking walks in fresh air, and exercising.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

I plan for the week on Sunday since it is the first day of the week after the Sabbath. Genesis 1:3 says, "And God said let there be light." On the first day, God started with light. Light brings clarity. There is a reason why God started with light before creating anything else. Therefore, in anything we do, we need to have clarity. We need to start with light, and that is proper planning. This should govern how we plan for the week. Have clarity for the week on the first day. Write everything that you need to do on each day and evaluate on Friday (the sixth day of the week).

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

Know the strengths and weaknesses of your subordinates before delegating. Appoint leaders in the various groups for the various tasks that you want to be done. Work with deadlines and follow through with the leaders daily to see what the team has done on that day.