Name: Barry Saltzman

Title: Founder / CEO

Organisation: Saltzman Enterprise Group

Barry Saltzman is a seasoned executive with a track record of advising companies on strategy, operations, and profit optimization at the C-suite level. He successfully managed a $650 million division with 1500+ employees, coached numerous companies and professionals, and played pivotal roles as a C-level executive, including COO and CEO. Additionally, he is dedicated to mentoring and educating entrepreneurs and actively contributes to advisory boards while publishing articles in Fast Company on leadership, culture, and team building.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Barry's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As a leader, the most significant challenge is to hire and develop the right people for your team. My objective has always been to find the person with the relevant skills and experience, while also identifying someone who fits within our culture and is enjoyable to spend time with.

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

I feel very fortunate to have started my professional career at the right place and time. The company I was working for was acquired by a large corporation in New York, and my previous boss retired.

I was then fortunate enough to start working for a highly experienced professional with an impressive background from IBM and Harvard. He was an excellent leader who not only supported me but also helped me grow and develop my skills. I owe a great deal to him for shaping me into the person I am today. grow and develop my skills. I owe a great deal to him for shaping me into the person I am today.

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

My workdays are quite consistent. I begin my day at 5am and utilize the morning time to concentrate on critical thinking tasks, research, and learning. During regular work hours, I dedicate my time to serving my clients. If I have any free time, I spend it on Business Development. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I use my lunch break to exercise and stay mentally and physically fit.

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

I always remind myself that every individual is unique, and as a leader, it is crucial to invest time in understanding people and communicating with them in a way that suits them best. I constantly remind myself that the focus should not be on me but on the other person.

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 book 'One Thing' has had a significant impact on how I approach my work. I am a firm believer that multitasking is not effective and that one should focus their time on a small number of activities.

I always say, 'Do not focus on more than three things,' but this book has highlighted the importance of focusing on one thing. It has allowed me to do a better job as I am now more focused on the task at hand and less likely to become distracted by all the other inputs that come in every day (such as email, chat, text, social media, etc).

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

Many young professionals aspire to become leaders. My advice to them is to focus on doing what they love and become an expert in their field. By dedicating time to understanding their work, they can eventually become a successful leader.

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

As a leader, I always took pride in spending time with my team and actively listening to them. When I was a young professional, I was fortunate enough to have great mentors who encouraged me to share my thoughts and ideas. Now, as a leader myself, I strive to provide a platform for everyone on my team to voice their opinions and ideas.