1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

The biggest challenge is building a good team. As long as you have a great team in place - the other problems can be tackled.

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

I don't call myself a leader. Also, I didn't start-off with a bang. Workwise I was burnt out. To cut myself some slack decided to quit my job and become an independent consultant. However, things moved real fast and in a few months I realized that I am leading a small team (still don't like calling it a company).

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

I try to keep the first couple of hours to myself. It's all about catching up with the news, grabbing breakfast, some light reading, etc. At 9:30 AM daily, I meet my team. We spend an hour planning the day out. 10:30 AM onwards it's a mix of many things - working on client deliverables, meetings, sales pitches etc.
I again try to fit in a couple of hours of me-time towards the end of the day.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

I am extremely averse to micro-management. I try to hire talent who can get work done. I love working along with the team (rather than providing directions).

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?

Honestly, I haven't read too many books on leadership. Found most of them boring and typical. I believe that every leader is unique in style and it's unlikely that we can get people to lead in a particular format.
On the contrary, there are quite a few characters from series and movies who have inspired me. To name a few:
Gus Fring (Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul)
Elizabeth McCord (Madamme Secretary)
Jessica Pearson (Suits)

6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

Empower individuals. Give them the flexibility to try different things. Don't ever punish people for messing things up because they tried something different.

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

Unfortunately nothing in particular. I have fun most of the days. As long as it's fun - it's meaningful.