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

Embedding medium to large scale change transformation.

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

My manager became my mentor at the age of 24. Was given leadership responsibility at the age of 25 along with extensive professional development in leadership.

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

Wake up at 7am. Go for either a run or bike ride. Have a health shake for breakfast. Start work at 8.30am. Check and respond to emails for half an hour. Follow task prioritised list. Finish work at 5.30pm.

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

As a leader you are in a position to serve others by asking a simple question. How can I help? Then make a genuine commitment to help them solve their problem.

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 21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John Maxwell. Read this book in 1999 and has steered me in the right direction.

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

Have a growth mindset and absorb the good stuff that just makes sense.

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

A large multinational company that needed to improve hired a new CEO who was responsible for turning the company around. His first meeting with the employees he said, I don't have all the answers but we have a lot of talented passionate individuals working here. Together we can solve any problem. Within the space of a few years he turned the company around.