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Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope reading

helps you in your leadership.

 

Cheers,

Jonno White

7 Questions with Ed Johnson
7 Questions with Ed Johnson

Name: Ed Johnson

Current title: : Director

Current organisation: Church Finance Central / Exdia

Director of Exdia - specialists in bookkeeping and payroll and BAS, and our church-focussed services under the banner of Church Finance Central

7 Questions with Ed Johnson

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

Both challenging and enjoyable is the constant growth and change - and the flexibility and innovation needed to keep up!

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

I was working for a private company for many years with a huge variety of responsibilities and exposure to many aspects of business life and development. As circumstances changed, I had the opportunity to embark on my own business journey.

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

Well I find there are a few important aspects to my day that if I don't prioritise, there's a good possibility they will be missed. Among these are time with God and the Bible, exercise, and business reading and development. So these tend to be at the start of my day. From there I attend to "triaging" the rest of the day and getting stuck into it. Evenings are mainly with my wonderful wife and family, and then I'll often be in bed before nine (or asleep in the lounge!)

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

This is not just a recent lesson, but I can't go past this one as the most significant: "The greatest among you shall be your servant" (from Jesus, Matthew 23:11)

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?

Apart from the Bible which is an endless source of wisdom in all areas of life and leadership, I've recently enjoyed reading Jim Collins' books Built to Last and Good to Great. I find the depth of research, and translation to practical implications, fascinating.

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

The two principles that are currently guiding me in this are:
1. Recruit according to values as a priority, this sets the foundation for future leadership; and
2. Give priority to building leadership from within the team

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

There are so many little (but significant!) things - for me it's really the day-to-day excellence that my team provides. I love them - they are such an amazing group of people. Quietly and faithfully going about their work, and working together with such professionalism and fun - they are a real joy to me.

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