Name: Sheikh Ali Asif

Title: Business Unit Head

Organisation: B.Braun Pakistan Pvt Ltd.

Sheikh Ali Asif is currently working as Business Unit Head at B.Braun Pakistan. He is married & father of 3 kids. Serving in the medical industry for lthe ast 27 years. He has worked for different multinational companies in both sales & marketing leadership positions. Mr. Ali Asif is a firm believer in continuous CHANGE in modern times. Where Challenges are the new normal.

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 Sheikh'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?

The first & the most important part is honesty in relationships may it be professional or personal. Positive thinking & problem-solving attitude always add value. In today's world people don't get impressed with titles or designations. If you have solution to their professional issues you are considered & trusted as a LEADER.

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

I started my career as a salesperson, where in general my approach was to address Today's issues. When I got the chance to work as a marketeer, it developed my acumen for today's, tomorrow & current year issues. Going up further in management made me think a little more head for the upcoming 5 years, 10 years down the road. There comes the realization of developing a Vision & Mission. As the task now was, as a leader, I would like to take the organization, business, teammates, partners & stakeholders. One needs to structure the vision. Proactiveness would always pay to help you overcome challenges & even unforeseen.

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

First start with getting the right people onboard for giving responsibilities. Delegation is the key. Micromanagement is hurting. Giving authority to team/project leaders makes them more responsible. Build up their confidence, make them realize how important their decision-making is. Supportive counselling behind the scenes would encourage them to make more powerful decision, which they would commit, own & perform.

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?

Frankly speaking, there are a few who have a very positive impact on my learning & inspiration. The first mentor always has a deep impact on your professional development. Then one grows & doesn't get impressed that easily with coaches as they are only fine-tuning the skill set.

Fortunately, recently I had a chance to work with a very learned, skillful & competent mentor who has helped to increase my thinking scale to understand what approaches & aptitude of global leaders in my field are. Think beyond the current horizon, the game zone is bigger. What exactly do I need to work on to be a more effective leader for bigger assignments and projects?

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

Structured approach & tracking milestones always helps me to be on track & on focus. Plan very well before taking actions & once the journey starts, then keep tracking the plan & action items. This is the focus in my experience.

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?

Vision & mission set the yearly track on which we would set milestones with timelines. Setting small goals & achievements keeps the focus alive. We divide our goals into short-term, medium-term & long-term in alignment with each other.

Each goal supports the next task towards Vision. A leader is a Driver, So He/she needs to plan the track, milestones & timelines. Proactiveness is key. Putting the right people in the right jobs is mandatory. That is the place where the experience of a leader plays a vital role.

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

My advice would be, first of all, learn the required skill set for the task, plan well, take your team on board, develop them, have temperament, and communicate with them. Be honest with them. Always follow merit, and your team will go beyond expectations. Don't be selfish & self-centered if you are a team leader. No self-egos, no favoritism. Don't dare to think your team is not observing you. You are a role model, work on your ethics, manners & morals.