7 Questions on Leadership with Gasim Abud
Name: Gasim Abud
Title: CEO
Organisation: Muhaton International Inc.
Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!
I hope Gasim's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Jonno White
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?
One of the most challenging aspects as a leader is navigating the ever-changing business landscape. Continuing to prioritize business improvement, ensuring my teams stay motivated and aligned with the company vision, and making difficult decisions. Additionally, balancing the demands of my two leadership roles between Muhaton International Inc. and RayanCplus LLC can be demanding but also rewarding.
2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?
My path to leadership began in the early stages of my career, when I assumed progressively larger responsibilities and demonstrated a robust work ethic and commitment. Throughout my career, I actively pursued opportunities for personal growth and development, either through formal leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, or self-education. I continually focused on refining my communication, analytical and decision-making abilities. These efforts eventually culminated in the founding of Muhaton International Inc. also a founding member of RayanCplus LLC and taking the role of Operational Director for rayanCplus LLC.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
My workday is designed to help me stay productive and have a good balance between work and life. I usually get up at 3:30 AM, do some exercise, do some prayer meditation, and have a good breakfast to get my body and mind ready for the day. When I get to work, I make sure to prioritize, delegate when I need to, and set aside time for meetings, planning, and doing focused work. I also try to leave some room for things that might come up. Finally, I end the day with some quality time with my family, some reading, and some thinking before I go to bed around 9:30 PM,
4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?
One of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned in my time as a leader is how important it is to create an environment of psychological safety. I’ve learned time and time again that when employees feel safe to share their thoughts, feelings, and even their failures, they’re more likely to innovate, collaborate, and thrive. Creating an environment of open communication is one of the best ways to build resilient, resilient teams.
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?
"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek is one book that has significantly influenced my leadership. This book confirmed my conviction that, as a leader, my main responsibility is to uphold and benefit my team. It emphasized how crucial empathy, trust, and a strong sense of purpose are to creating a successful organization. My leadership style has changed as a result of putting the book's ideas into practice, and I now place a higher priority on my team members' development and well-being.
6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?
I would advise young leaders to never stop learning and evolving. Leadership is a journey, and the most effective leaders are those who stay interested, adaptive, and open to new experiences. Seek mentors, engage in your own growth, and view obstacles as chances to learn and grow.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?
One memorable story is from Muhaton's early days when we landed our first significant client. It was a testimonial to our vision and our team's devotion. The story that sticks out at RayanCplus is the moment when we finalized our business strategy and realized the enormous potential of our enterprise. These stories highlight the significance of perseverance, collaboration, and a clear goal throughout the startup path.
Comments