Name: Hussain Ahmad

Title: Film Writer/Directir

Organisation: Mockingbird Productions LLC

Born in Kurdistan, escaped war under saddam Hussein and was in prison camp as child in Iran, by gods grace we came to the states and been here for almost 27 years and now I’m a full time filmmaker

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

I think seeking innovative ways to change, grow and improve is challenging however Each leader's experience is unique, and the challenges they face may vary depending on their industry, organizational context, and individual leadership style. Effective leaders often focus on continuous learning, developing their emotional intelligence, seeking feedback, and fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment to overcome these challenges.

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

I knew the exact stories I wanted to tell through cinema and taking initiative, and leading by example. The path to leadership is never easy but suddenly I had groups of people looking up to me for answers and next move

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

I wake up 6am on the dot, go to gym, eat breakfast and start production meetings on several different projects throughout my day and shut off everything 6pm to 8pm to spend time with family and then log back on and work until around midnight, then sleep

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

The Power of Empathy, Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it plays a crucial role in effective leadership.

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 leadership challenge by James Kouzes and berry posner, this book opened my eyes by understanding my strengths and weaknesses as leader, anmd pushed me to greater improvement and personal growth.

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

As a young leader, remember that leadership is not about having all the answers or being perfect. Embrace a growth mindset and be open to learning from your experiences, successes, and mistakes. Seek feedback from others, be adaptable, and focus on continuous improvement. Emphasize empathy, communication, and building strong relationships with your team. Leadership is a journey of self-discovery and growth, so stay humble, lead with integrity, and inspire others by setting a positive example

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

When you're leading others, you quickly learn that there's a lot that changes. What you do, what you say, how you say things, and how you react are all watched by your team. Over time, you learn good things to do, key habits to remember, and what not to do.