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

Most challenges arise from efficiently managing my direct reports. This would be anything from personal issues to ensuring that they have all of the tools and information to conduct their jobs effectively.

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

Throughout all of my 3 careers, I have been at some level of management. At my current employer, I've used that experience and drive to work my way up within the organization. I am currently on my 5th "level up" within the organization

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

I feel like I have a healthy mix of ADD/OCD and this factors well into having the structure that I need in order to meet goals, and it also helps to allow for a certain level of spontaneity

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

With all of the things being thrown in my direction (some confidential, some not) I've come to learn that "Management can sometimes be a burden"

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?

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. John Maxwell has such an amazing grasp as to what it takes to propel individuals in the direction of being an effective leader. I've had the privilege of seeing him in person several times, and his message only gets better.

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

The word "capacity" has a limiting connotation to it. To grow or build oneself up to a higher level, the approach should always be to act as a sponge and learn something everyday.

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

I've trained, supervised, and managed many people over my career(s) and each presented challenges and rewards. The most significant was an individual who was a career military (Air Force) prior to taking his first civilian job with our organization. There were many unique struggles and challenges when he entered the civilian workforce. Through teaching him the interpersonal skills need to be successful, he gradually began to succeed within the organization. During that time, he asked me if I would be his mentor. This was a great honor and I felt an added obligation to see him succeed to the level of his expectations. He continues to report to me and he is currently at a Supervisor level.