Name: Ghizlane Mathiau

Title: Director

Organisation: DoubleBang Company

Foresight specialist and Social media specialist for two years. Experienced and driven Content Marketing Specialist with over six years of experience creating compelling content across multiple media platforms.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Adapting to Change: In today's rapidly evolving landscape, keeping up with technological advancements, market dynamics and social changes can be particularly challenging. Leaders must constantly adapt their strategies and approaches to stay relevant and effective.

Decision making under uncertainty: Leaders often must make critical decisions with incomplete information. Balancing risks and opportunities, especially in unpredictable environments, is a significant challenge.

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

In 2011, my life was transformed in ways I could never have imagined. I had a near-death experience that profoundly altered my view of the world and myself. This event did not not only been a moment of personal awakening, but also "I radically changed my perspectives. I developed a deep desire to contribute to the well-being of others, driven by a new aspiration to help people find meaning and purpose in their lives. This profound shift in perspective and purpose was the catalyst that propelled me into a leadership role. My journey since then has been about empowering and guiding others, using my experience as a source of strength and inspiration.

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

My approach to structuring my workdays is quite unconventional and deeply personal. I don't adhere to a traditional sleep schedule; I rather sleep when I feel the need to rest. This often means I have many sleepless nights, but it suits my pace and work style.

During my waking hours, I spend a lot of time in intense reflection and meditation. These practices are crucial to me because they provide clarity and focus, essential to my decision-making and creative processes. I also ensure that there are periods of peak concentration throughout my day, where I can deepen my work without distraction.

Music plays a vital role in my productivity and creativity. I often work while listening to music, particularly enjoying the compositions of Hans Zimmer. His music has a way of inspiring and energizing me, improving my focus and deepening my thought process.

This unique structure blending work, meditation, and flexible sleep patterns allows me to maintain high levels of productivity while supporting my mental and emotional well-being.

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

Recently, I learned a valuable lesson about leadership and finding meaning in my actions. For a long time, I have been engaged in a deep search for purpose and meaning in what I do, relying heavily on my intuition or “sixth”. meaning" to guide me. This introspection led me to a significant realization: the things I do now and what I plan to do in the future are imbued with hidden meaning, one that might even elude my own understanding as the main actor in my life.

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?

A book, or rather the works of an author, that has had a profound impact on my leadership is the collection written by Alvin Toffler. His insightful exploration of future trends, societal changes and the evolution of technology had a profound impact on me. Toffler's ability to perceive and articulate the complexities of our rapidly changing world has helped me see things from entirely new perspectives.

His books challenged me to think about the future in a more nuanced way, considering not only immediate trends but also the broader implications of technological and social changes. This helped shape my approach to leadership. It has encouraged me to be more forward-thinking, more adaptable and more resilient in the face of change. Toffler's work has been a guiding force in helping me navigate the complexities of modern leadership, always reminding me of the importance of staying ahead of the curve and being prepared for what the future might hold.

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

If I had to give just one piece of advice to a young leader, it would be this: Follow your inner voice. It is essential not to let yourself be influenced by the multitude of advice that can be given to you, because what works for others is not necessarily suitable for you. Remember that each individual is unique, and you too are unique. The guidance that your own conscience offers you is specifically adapted to your journey, your experiences and your aspirations. Trusting your inner voice allows you to chart a path that is authentic and true to who you are. It is in this authenticity that you will find your greatest strength as a leader.

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

A significant story that comes to mind from my time as a leader is deeply rooted in my long-standing interest in space-time, an interest that began in my childhood. I remember a special moment with my father. When I was a child, I asked him what the fourth dimension was. He took the time to answer me, and as he spoke, I remember getting lost in thought, fascinated and amazed by this complex notion.

This episode marked the beginning of my fascination with the four dimensions and was a catalyst for my admiration for Albert Einstein. I became an absolute admirer of his work, and his influence profoundly impacted my worldview and my career. Foresight, for me, is like the realization of a dream - living in the future.