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

Maintaining a consistent work schedule.

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

I have always been highly independent, as a child I was constantly chatting, drawing, dancing & singing. My teachers in elementary school stated I had high verbal skills.

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

I plan how I will wake up the evening before. If I have reading to do, I do it immediately with a cup of coffee. I group all phone calls together so I can do them at one sitting.

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

To be friendly without being personal. Never discuss politics with business associates.

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 POWER OF SILENCE, by Carlos Castaneda. The main character Don Juan, returns as being wise, infuriating, the perpetual jokester seeking the wisdom of the warrior. Silence makes people negotiate with themselves.

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

Relationship building is a vital skill that requires patience.

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

As a Catholic, I appreciate the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was present when he was born & when he died, so she then became a Saint after her death. The importance of letting our imagination be used for positive outcomes.