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

I remember when I started as a Managing Director of Green Field and I looked at 60 hectares of field. At that moment I feel dismayed, if I will be able to build it. I did it in success. After that I knew that in the future I will be able to do huge things. I believed in myself. In small enterprises, it was always exciting work with people. The people have various characters and we have to be able to read a lot of signals which appear.

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

Since young age I had to arrange a playing time for my siblings (I have two brothers and one sister). Just after the study during my first job I received an item in order to set up a quality assurance system for the Packaging Department in Philips Company. After that it was already easier, step by step I was developing my experience as a leader.

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

I wake up 6.00 a.m. 3 times per week I run 10-12 km. After breakfast, I start my job app. 8.00-8.30. a.m. Morning I read the mail (30 minutes) and try to reply. Since 9.00 a.m. I realize the meetings with stakeholders (customers, workers, owners, etc.). At 1 p.m. I have lunch and 2 hours of conceptual work. At the end of work I read the mails, prepare for the next day of work. In the meantime I try doing a factory tour and lead discussions with employees. After returning home, I eat dinner with my family. I also spend two hours with my children (playing, checking the homework, etc.). I cannot also forget about my wife - just before sleeping we discuss the day of work and plans for the weekend and nearest, future time. App. 11.00 p.m. I go to sleep.

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

Based on my experience I know that company creates the people. That's why we can never forget about the employees . I am sure that to the end of our life we can learn from others.

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 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey. I had to read twice in order to understand what it means. I noticed that one of the most important issues is to be proactive. If we are proactive people will follow you.

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

By surrounding myself with people smarter than myself. I try to make the people rule that teambuilding (atmosphere) is one of the most important to build an effective company (synergy effect).

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

I had team conflict in my team (between women). I launched the special HR project. The results were excellent. First of all, we prevented a big war, merged the team and increased the results within one year.