Name: Fred DAMBA

Title: Freelancer

Organisation: SEED SME SOLUTIONS

I Fred DAMBA am an Accountant with 7 years of experience in the accounting field. I specialize in tax preparation and planning for small businesses and individuals. I have a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Papua New Guinea. I love traveling, hiking, and enjoying myself being with all different people and cultures. I have been married recently and have a lovely family looking forward to explore life into the future to serve mankind in terms of my career and spiritual well-being. I have the spirit to serve!

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

I hope Fred'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 aspects of being a leader are: Managing people with different personalities, beliefs, aspirations, and traits.

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

To be a leader is where I start to be humble and passionate. Be a good follower of some great leaders in my working environment, church, and community. Listen and communicate effectively. Effective communication helps to build trust and respect between leaders and followers. Encouraging creativity, and intellectual stimulation is one of the leadership qualities that define transformational leadership.

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

Plan my day. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day to plan out my schedule for the next day.

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

Listening more and talking less can help me understand my team member's needs and perspectives better

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 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey; This book provides seven habits to help me become more productive, build stronger relationships, and focus on priorities. It emphasizes that if you want to improve your situation, you can work on the one thing over which you have control yourself.

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

Listen and observe: If you are determined to become a leader, you will have to be the best at listening and observing. People express themselves with their manners, words, and body language every day.

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

One such story is about Princess Diana. In the 1980s, AIDS arrived on the world stage. It was a new, frightening disease with no cure and was rampaging through communities and countries. People believe that you could catch AIDS from touching someone who had it, or even sitting on the same toilet seat.

Sufferers were shunned, and up to 50% of people polled in the US believed that those with AIDS should be quarantined. On 19 April 1987 Princess Diana, one of the most famous people in the World, opened the first unit in the UK dedicated to treating people with HIV and AIDS. During her visit, she shook the hands of a patient without wearing gloves and changed people’s perceptions of the disease forever. I hope this story inspires you. Let me know if you want to hear more stories.