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

One of the biggest challenges I've faced as a leader is in convincing others to believe in themselves and their greatness, especially when their present reality indicts this.

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

My evolution as a leader is a direct result of my commitment to self-improvement. Opportunities to lead came unsought.

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

I'm hyper-focused on my goals and plan each day's activities the day before. I also allot three to four hour increments wherein I am purposively inaccessible.

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

I'm constantly reminded of the need to meet people where they are before trying to take them where they want to go. In doing so, they tend to be more open and amenable to change. It's not about selling my vision or abilities, but rather about affirming their value and encouraging their confidence.

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?

Infinite Games by James Carse. One of the most benevolent works I've ever read! It completely changed my approach to life and leadership, especially in helping me to transcend what I call terminal disease, namely, the obsession with reaching an end that doesn't exist. Rightly read, it erodes our boundaries and beliefs, limiting ones, in particular.

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

Cultivate curiosity! Excellence follows if you are thorough. Even if you aren't, you still raise the arc of your being thereby.

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

I once expressed dissatisfaction to a restaurant manager about my meal, which was severely undercooked. He got defensive and began to explain to me about the cook's experience, the quality of the kitchen, particularly the oven/grill with all of its amenities. After he finished, I grabbed the half-baked chicken and asked, "Why then all the blood?" He stared stymied. This experience reminded me that leadership means vulnerability.