Name: Chris Gengan

Title: Lean Transformation Manager

Organisation: Sappi SA

Residing in Durban - South Africa

Passion for people empowerment

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

People going into leadership roles because of their technical proficiency & not off their leadership ability

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

Moved into a Learning Manager position some 30 years ago and part of my role was leadership development which I embraced

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

Wake up on self-refection & preparedness for the day ahead as I need to spill my positive energy onto others.

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

Embracing all viewpoints of people as it's their reality, I can only influence..

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?

7 Habits of Highly Effective People & Good to Great

I use this to empower myself to lead others.

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

Be positive, embrace AI & be focused.

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

Learning of humility in others to accept and develop people.