1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader, I have found the following to be the most challenging:
• Managing different personalities and agendas. No two people are the same, and this can be a challenge when leading a team. It is important to be able to manage different personalities and agendas to keep the team focused and productive.
• It is not enough to simply tell people what to do. As a leader, you need to be able to motivate and inspire others to achieve their goals. This can be a challenge, but it is essential for success.
• As a leader, I sometimes need to make tough decisions that can have a significant impact on the company. This can be challenging, as there is no guarantee that the decision will be the right one.
• Conflict is inevitable in any team. As a leader, you need to be able to deal with conflict effectively to keep the team productive. This means being able to mediate disagreements, resolve disputes, and build consensus.
• The shipping industry is also affected by geopolitical instability, as wars, trade wars, and other disruptions can impact trade routes and shipping costs. This can be a challenge for businesses, as they need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances to remain profitable.
• Change is a constant in the business world. As a leader, you need to be able to lead your team through change effectively. This means being able to communicate the need for change, manage the transition, and support the team through the process.
These are just some of the challenges that I have found as a leader. It is important to remember that leadership is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill. However, it is also incredibly rewarding. I am proud of the work that I have done as a leader, and I am excited to continue to learn and grow in this role.

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

Sure, I'd be happy to tell you a little bit about my journey to becoming a leader in the shipping industry.
I grew up in a family that was involved in the Business of TEA and Real Estate, so I was always interested in the business but in my own identity and own way, not doing family business. At the time of graduating from university, I started working for a Chinese Crane Manufacturing company as Sales Representative for my country. In this role, I learned about the different aspects of manufacturing Heavy-machineries, managing industrial client meeting up their requirements, marketing, and sales, the shipping process of reaching the end buyer, and an international network of the machinery market.
After One year, I achieved good skills in business development, international network, and idea about the shipping industry. After that, first I got an offer from a freight forwarder company to transport my heavy cargo from China to Chittagong via sea. Then I follow how this is working and I realized that Shipping is a very important part of international trade which is like the blood of international trade. Later, I start to explore shipping studies, visited some shipping hub countries for trading purposes & meeting with several shipping friends & work together with them live and virtually, and got support from an experienced person like Friend to develop my career in this industry step by step. I started from Container trading worldwide and slowly I enter into Freight brokering, NVOCC operation, and Shipping agency operation with my practical knowledge of involving successful dealings. My sharp and fast observation capacity makes me a leader in this industry without serving as an employee in any company. I started my career as a self-employed with my talent and Allah’s help, and now I become a leader and entrepreneur in the shipping industry to discover and learn more and more in this industry and being the ultimate leader to show the shipping industry a new era of modern shipping.
In my current role as managing director, I am responsible for the overall success of the company and I take a step to establish this company with a great motive. I work with my team to develop and implement business plans, manage risk, and ensure that the company is meeting its financial goals. I also represent the company to clients and partners.
I have found that the most important qualities of a leader in the shipping industry are:
• Strategic thinking: The shipping industry is a complex industry, and leaders need to be able to think strategically in order to make sound business decisions.
• Communication skills: Leaders need to be able to communicate effectively with their team members, clients, and partners.
• Problem-solving skills: Leaders need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Leadership skills: Leaders need to be able to motivate and inspire their team members to achieve common goals. I am proud of the work that I have done to help my company grow and succeed. I am also excited to continue to lead the company into the future and help it shape the future of the shipping industry. Here are some other things that have helped me on my journey to becoming a leader in the shipping industry:
• Hard work: I have always been willing to work hard to achieve my goals.
• Persistence: I have never given up on my dreams, even when things have been tough.
• Learning: I am always learning new things and trying to improve my skills.
• Networking: I have built strong relationships with people in the shipping industry, which has helped me to advance my career. I believe that anyone can become a leader in the shipping industry if they are willing to work hard, be persistent, and never give up on their dreams.

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

As a shipping industry leader, my work days are typically very busy and demanding. I often have to work long hours, and I am constantly juggling multiple projects and tasks. However, I have found that it is important to have a structured day in order to be productive and avoid burnout.
Here is a typical day for me as a shipping industry leader:
• 5:00 AM: Wake up, perform prayer & morning walk.
• 9:00 AM: Check emails and whatsapp for important messages.
• 9:30 AM: Breakfast and review of the day's priorities.
• 10:30 AM: Meetings with team members and clients.
• 1:30 PM: Lunch & Prayer.
• 2:00 PM: Work on projects and tasks.
• 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Review of the day's progress, doing meetings with foreign principals and local customers, plan for the next day.
• 9:00 PM to 12:30: GYM, Dinner, and family time and email check.
• 1:00 PM: Wind down and go to bed. Of course, this is just a general outline, and my day may vary depending on the specific tasks that need to be completed. However, I find that having a structured day helps me to stay focused and to be productive. Here are some tips for structuring your work day as a shipping industry leader:
• Set clear priorities: At the beginning of each day, take some time to think about your priorities for the day. What are the most important tasks that need to be completed?
• Break down large tasks: If you have any large tasks that need to be completed, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will make them seem less daunting and will help you to stay on track.
• Set deadlines: Once you have broken down your tasks, set deadlines for each one. This will help you to stay focused and to avoid procrastination.
• Take breaks: It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it is just for a few minutes. This will help you to stay refreshed and to avoid burnout.
• Delegate tasks: If you have a team, delegate tasks to them whenever possible. This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important tasks.
• End your day on a positive note: At the end of each day, take some time to reflect on your progress. What did you accomplish? What could you have done better? This will help you to learn and to improve your productivity.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

A recent leadership lesson I've learned in the shipping industry is the importance of empowering your team. As a leader, it's important to give your team members the freedom and authority to make decisions and solve problems on their own. This will help them to feel more confident and motivated, and it will also free up their time so that they can focus on more strategic tasks.
I've been reminded of this lesson recently as I've been working with a new team. This team is made up of a lot of young, talented people, and they have a lot of great ideas. However, they were initially hesitant to make decisions on their own. They were afraid of making mistakes or of being criticized.
I've been working with them to help them overcome this fear. I've been giving them more responsibility and authority, and I've been encouraging them to come to me with their ideas. I've also been giving them feedback on their decisions, both positive and negative.
As a result of this, the team has become much more confident and motivated. They're now coming to me with more ideas, and they're taking more initiative. This has freed up my time so that I can focus on more strategic tasks, and it's also helped the team to be more productive.
I've learned that empowering your team is key to success as a leader. By giving your team members the freedom and authority to make decisions and solve problems on their own, you'll help them to feel more confident and motivated. This will lead to increased productivity and better decision-making.
Here are some tips for empowering your team:
• Give your team members the opportunity to take on new challenges and responsibilities. This will help them to grow and develop their skills.
• Believe in your team members' abilities and trust them to make decisions. This will help them to feel confident and empowered.
• Give your team members feedback on their decisions, both positive and negative. This will help them to learn and improve their decision-making skills.
• When your team members make good decisions, celebrate their successes. This will help them to feel motivated and appreciated.

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?

One Islamic book that has had a profound impact on my leadership so far is The 40 Rules of Leadership by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib. This book is a collection of wisdom and advice from the fourth caliph of Islam, and it has helped me to become a more effective leader.
One of the most important lessons I have learned from this book is the importance of integrity. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib says, "The foundation of leadership is integrity, and the key to integrity is truthfulness." This means that as a leader, it is important, to be honest and trustworthy. I have found that when I am honest and trustworthy with my team members, they are more likely to follow me and to trust my decisions.
Another important lesson I have learned from this book is the importance of humility. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib says, "The greatest of leaders is the one who is most humble." This means that as a leader, it is important to be modest and to avoid arrogance. I have found that when I am humble with my team members, they are more likely to respect me and to be willing to learn from me.
The 40 Rules of Leadership is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a more effective leader. It is full of wisdom and advice that can help you to become a more honest, trustworthy, and humble leader.
Here are some other books that have had a profound impact on my leadership:
• The Prophet's Way of Leadership by Muhammad al-Ghazali
• The Leadership Secrets of the Prophet by Tariq Ramadan
• The Leadership of Muhammad by Adil Salahi
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Cove
• The Servant Leader by Robert Greenleaf
These books have helped me to learn about the leadership style of the Prophet Muhammad, and they have inspired me to be a more effective leader myself.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

If I could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, I would say to them: Be yourself.
It's easy to get caught up in trying to be someone you're not when you're in a leadership position. You may feel like you need to be more assertive, more confident, or more decisive than you really are. But the truth is, the best leaders are the ones who are authentic and genuine.
When you're yourself, you're more likely to connect with people on a genuine level. You're also more likely to be trusted and respected by your team members.
So don't try to be someone you're not. Just be yourself, and you'll be a great leader.
Here are some other pieces of advice that I would give to a young leader:
• Be a good listener.
• Be transparent
• Be supportive.
• Be humble

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

Sure, here is one meaningful story that comes to mind from my time as a leader:
I was working as a Working Partner at a shipping company, and I had a partner named Mahmudul who was struggling. Mahmudul was a hard worker, but he was also very shy and introverted. He had a hard time speaking up in meetings, and he often felt like he didn't belong.
I knew that Mahmudul had a lot of potential, but I also knew that he needed some help. I started by talking to him one-on-one. I asked him what he was struggling with, and I listened to his concerns. I also encouraged him to speak up more in meetings, and I offered to help him prepare for presentations.
Over time, Mahmudul started to come out of his shell. He started speaking up more in meetings, and he even gave a presentation to the executive team. He was still shy, but he was more confident, and he was starting to feel like he belonged.
One day, Mahmudul came to me and told me that he had been promoted. He was so excited, and he thanked me for all of my help. I was so proud of him, and I knew that he had earned his promotion. This story is meaningful to me because it shows the importance of being a supportive leader. When I first started working with Mahmudul, he was struggling. He didn't believe in himself, and he didn't think he belonged. But by listening to him, encouraging him, and offering my help, I was able to help him reach his full potential.
I'm so glad that I was able to make a difference in Mahmudul's life. He's a great example of how a little bit of support can go a long way.
I hope this story inspires you to be a supportive leader to your team members. Remember, everyone has the potential to succeed, and sometimes all they need is a little bit of help.