Name: Mark Alex

Title: Managing Director

Organisation: Real Biz Digital

I am the Managing Director of Real Biz Digital, a company I registered in July 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya. The company deals mainly in Software Development, Web Development, and Mobile App Development.

We have some SAAS products that we want to unleash on the market. I am also an evangelist and I run a Christian blog called gettruthgetlife.wordpress.com. I am 30 years old and my vision is to bless billions of people around the world and bring them closer to God through the work of my hands.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

The most challenging thing I have faced as a leader is making people believe in the same vision as I do. Most people that I have encountered want instant gratification and are not patient enough to grow something stable. However, by God's grace, I have been able to have a positive influence on a few.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

In my mind when I was growing up I never imagined being employed. I always saw myself being a boss somewhere. This was made manifest when I was in grade 6 and the class teacher was trying to predict the careers we would all get into and when it reached my turn he said, "Alex will be a Managing Director" and that is what I am now.

I never thought much about it, till years after I started running my company. Therefore, I started my company Real Biz Digital while still in university, and now I am living the dream.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I work six days a week from Sunday to Friday. I use Sundays to plan my week and delegate duties, and Fridays to do light duties till noon, then rest on Sabbath. During the week, I will be checking the progress of the employees and their assigned projects.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

The most recent leadership lesson I have learned is that you need to be what you want your followers to be. Don't expect them to have a work ethic and integrity when you don't possess those qualities.

I have also learned that if you serve God diligently and abide by His commands, your employees will serve your company diligently.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The Bible has had a profound impact on my leadership because it has all principles of successful leadership laid out. For example, when Jesus told His disciples to follow Him. He meant that they should follow after His example not just His words.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Be the person you want to be around.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

There was a time (one year before I started my company), I attended a certain networking meeting and the one who was heading that meeting talked about digital marketing. My friend had just started a career in digital marketing. I praised his skills.

The one in charge of the meeting did not take much interest. However, after the meeting, someone who was quiet in that meeting and had a tour and travel company approached me and told me to introduce my friend to her because she needed some digital marketing done for her company. I took my friend to her office and she gave her the contract.

Afterward, she asked me what I did and I jokingly said web development, she ended up giving me more business than she gave my friend. That lesson made me learn that you get more blessed when you genuinely care for the needs of others more than you care for your own self's.