Name: Jeffrey Semon

Title: Aspiring Professional

Organisation: Horizons

I am currently cultivating my career for success on the CPA exam as a employee with Macy's corporation. I am also cultivating a incubation for my own aerospace and defense firm called Horizons. As a aspiring CEO for Horizons I strive to provide cutting edge technology for the advancement of humanity in Lunar logistics, Martian logistics, green technologies, AI, resource allocation systems for civilian and military applications, medical advancements in disease treatment and prevention and robotics.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

My most challenging leadership obstacle has been gaining traction to make achievements that deliver global impact for the benefit of our democracy and prosperity of humankind with cutting edge science and engineering. I strive to be prepared and achieve with excellence with sound opportunities that present themselves for the growth of Horizons and my path forward as a continuously growing aspiring professional.

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

My leadership role was presented to me quite abruptly and haphazardly. It presented an opportunity for my network to grow, learn and succeed. Resources were cut off, information was sapped and corrupted and organization was in disarray. Resilience was a must and delays were costly.

The problem was an experience that paid dividends as a learner, which especially paid off as a graduate of UMGC with the wings of the US military and DC metropolitan joining the pack. Building with these resources became the adventure of a lifetime creating Horizons and venturing into the Ivy Leagues for success. My goals as a leader form this story are evolving daily and push the boundaries of my resources, courage, strength and faith.

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

Waking early in the AM to exercise and learn is a great asset for a professional. Following with a morning workday routine to crush priority goals while energized for the routine is crucial to open up the day. A solid productivity schedule following this with organized deep work and light work that brings happiness to a schedule with plenty of oxytocin for everyone on the team is a must.

Remembering we can only accomplish so much of our planned daily objectives is a life saver for stress so don't overload yourself. Balancing with life for unscheduling after scheduling for work is also important and leave room for your loved ones and fun. Hit the sack for 8 hours of sleep!!

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

Patience is a leadership lesson I learned for the first time in college as a growing young man and learn over and over again. It crafts sound strategy and brings depth of intelligence that is continuously rewarding and moves goals, quality processes and expands boundaries for resources to lead successfully.

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 Bible has been a major inspiration on my growth to realize my position, potential and path forward as a leader. It's beacon of faith has guided me forward to accomplish my goals, build strength, forge courage and perceive with global significance from a source of influence that is humbling and eternally powerful and loving.

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

Be a persistent learner and never stop pushing the boundaries to innovate.

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

Expert decision making is critical for accountability as a CPA. As a CPA Candidate I have achieved an understanding of the importance of the skills necessary for this professional requirement.

Building my life skills as a fraud fighter with the ACFE, entrepreneur and AICPA CPA candidate to be able to make sound business practices in situations such as contributing to my communities fraud and compliance awareness, incubating a aerospace and defense firm and building a career as a manager out of the gate with scarce and reluctant resources for robust results has taught me to survive and achieve with a fountain of decision making knowledge as a leader.