Name: Ilan kalo

Title: Director

Oranisation: I.k. Business Consulting, Interim & Advies

look back on years (and still) of doing business internationally with great pleasure. I assisted dozens of foreign companies with their entry into the Dutch market. And the other way around I brought Dutch companies outside our borders.

I helped company directors to prepare their strategic plans, to formulate their mission and vision, to shrink and to grow. So you can say that as a visionary I bring a good dose of experience. Plus a huge network of active business partners at different levels in numerous branches at home and abroad..

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Leading can be challenging due to the need to navigate diverse personalities, make tough decisions, and inspire others while adapting to changing circumstances. Effective communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence are crucial for overcoming leadership challenges.

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

I’ve had from young strong communication skills, fostering teamwork, and demonstrating reliability. Additionally, taking initiative and being en orignisor from nature, as well showing a commitment to continuous learning. Leadership is built on a foundation of trust, competence, and the ability to guide and inspire others, you can ‘study’ that, but mostly u are born with.

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

Thinking, executing, mailing, tracking and open to fast changes.. once a week; golf day. Very important in leader / productief leader!

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

One important lesson in leadership is the significance of empathy. Understanding and acknowledging the perspectives, feelings, and needs of your team members fosters a positive work environment and strengthens the leader-follower relationship. Empathy builds trust and enhances collaboration, contributing to the overall success of the team.

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?

Think Fast, Talk Smart from Matt Abrahams.

It reveals the secrets to finding the right words when it counts. Communication is crucial to success in life and business. However, it is not just big speeches that matter: it is also those critical, spur-of-the-moment situations for which we cannot prepare. It gives u insight in listening and mostly saying the correct words which achieves the best results.

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

For young leaders, focus on continuous learning, seek feedback, and be open to adapting your leadership style. Cultivate strong communication skills, build meaningful relationships, and lead by example. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that leadership is a journey of continuous improvement.

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

A business development project which went quite bad at the beginning but with allot of empty and real listening we’ve developed very Good and Productive relationship! Means, again, empathy, listening en being realy honest makes friends/ money and good feeling ..-)!