A core principle behind all of Spearhead’s training is learning from people who have a proven track record of success in business. In a previous article we interviewed six highly influential business leaders and asked for some words of wisdom for aspiring leaders. In this article we asked them specifically about what makes them so successful.
Learn from the Losses
Nasser Siabi, OBE, received recognition in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his outstanding work for people with disabilities. He is also CEO of the UK’s largest assistive technology provider, MicroLink PC. It can be hard at the top and we wanted to know how he stays motivated when things are not working the way he wants them to. This is what he says about personal motivation:
“Every down moment is an opportunity to learn and improve. Success does not come from winning all the time; it comes from learning from the losses.”
And what is it that keeps him going? "Believing that what you do will change people's lives for the better" was his response.
Obsessive Relentlessness
We asked founder and CEO of premium virtual assistant service Worldwide101, Sandra Lewis, what she attributed her success to. Her company currently operates in the US, Canada and Europe and provides a wide range of services from administration and book keeping to customer service and marketing to help SMEs grow - so she is well placed to advise on this topic.
“There are so many factors that make a business leader successful.” She said. “For me, I believe it’s been a combination of life’s accumulated experiences and a bit of an obsessive relentlessness that’s always been predominant no matter what I’ve done!”
Determination and the Ability to Evolve
What does MD and creative strategist of 3 Colours Rule, Flavilla Fongang, attribute the success of her London based branding and fashion agency to?
“I would attribute the success of my company to our ability to evolve with the demand of the market” she said. “Running a business in a city like London requires a lot of determination because of the level of competition. We constantly keep an eye on trends and market demand to offer services that are needed.”
Let Your People Get On With It
One of the UK’s most outstanding young entrepreneurs, Rob Hill, is the CEO of The Eventa Group and its three brands: The Stag Company, Hen Heaven and Eventa. For two years in a row the Eventa Group was recognised in the Virgin Fast Track Awards for the hundred fastest-growing event companies in the UK.
We asked Rob for his advice on the most important skills that managers need to have in order to be successful. This is what he said:
“They must be good listeners and ask for feedback from everyone in the business on what they can improve. I think it’s important that managers don’t micro-manage employees; just let them get on with it and be there for support and mentoring.”
Be Vocal, Be Visible, Be Present
Founder and CEO of Uspaah, Iglika B. Ghouse, had a successful career in finance before making the push with her own idea and developing her highly successful London based company Uspaah, which is a unique on-demand mobile spa service. So who in her career has given her the best advice that has helped her to be so successful and what was it? This is what she said:
“The best advice came from my brother, who is an extremely successful leader himself. He said: don’t wait for others to recognise your contributions or achievements, whether that’s in a corporate environment or in your own business. Instead, be vocal, be visible, be present and let people know about what you have done or what you are doing. Raise your profile any chance you get, and position yourself in the minds of others.”
A Never Ending Process
Director of Business Cost Saving, a specialist cost management brokerage that helps businesses reduce their spend and save money, Gemma Sandy, was asked how she saw success. Was it a journey or a destination?
“I very much see success as a journey” she said. “Life is all about setting goals, achieving them and then setting new ones; it’s a never-ending process.”
“A great example” she said, “is the journey of Jamie Vardy. In 2012 he was a non-league footballer playing in the Conference Premier. Do you think Jamie Vardy is currently sat at home thinking he’s “done it” and he’s met all his goals? Or is he working hard to push for a place in the Euro 2016 squad and to smash that opportunity if it comes his way?”
What great leadership advice for all aspiring business leaders to take on board! Look out for the next article in this series.
