Name: Duop Mier Jickok, Jr

Title: HR & Admin Manager

Organisation: Africa Development Aid - ADA

Holder of MA in Public Policy, MA in Humanitarian & Conflict Studies, BBA/HRM and Diploma in Human Resource management. With over 15 years of solid experience in both public and private sectors.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

The most challenging part is making decisions where there are a lot of uncertainty at stake and more importantly when major disagree in what you believes is the best thing to do as a leader. That dilemma sometimes take required some level of boldness.

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

I became a leader through climbing my professional ladder. But of course the way I look at things give me confidence which later on culminated into the leadership positions I held.

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

First, I always have a list of items I must accomplish in a day. So the first thing to do is by organizing myself and rank my tasks into their order of priorities. Then I navigate through. I sometimes I amend through reprioritizing my tasks depending on the urgency. Whatever is left, makes my first to do list of the next day.

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

Sometimes, over commitment may cause you rigidity and for that reason, I choose being flexible without compromising the quality of what I do. The other important thing is how best to keep your team as effective as they should considering the diverse nature of their backgrounds.

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?

Leading public institutions. This book uses interactive approach to leader in a public institution. Its authored by A . CAROL RUSAW.

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

Invest in your leadership styles and be independent thinker than hanging on to ineffective leaders with ideas contrary to young minds. Be bold and take tough decisions.

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

Being a servant leader counts a lot. But having your career philosophy is even more important.