Name: Logun Moe

Title: Founder/Managing Director

Organisation: Reform

Logun is the founder of non profit that works with local organizations to develop surf-based projects that empower less advantaged youth. He's also the founder and managing director o Reform a small business investment firm focussed on resourcing socially equitable companies. Logun has nearly 15 years experience in youth development spanning functions including project management, family services, and entrepreneurship.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

I find that balancing the right choices for teams with the right choices for the organization can be most difficult. The reality is often that teams are less passionate and motivated by vision than leaders, and so finding ways to invigorate teams that go beyond organizational development is crucial and difficult. The difficultly is multiplied when invigorating the team begins to take away from accomplishing the vision. This makes finding the right team a huge win for any leader or organization.

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

I think leadership can be divided two main categories: Formal and Personal. Formal leadership comes from having a formal position of leadership, and Personal leadership comes from being personally looked to as leader by others. Formal leadership is often given to people who are personal leaders, but not always. Inversey personal leaders do not always have Formal leadership positions.

My personal journey of leadership probably happened, without me thinking about it as leadership, by serving as team captain in sports, or by standing to my convictions growing up. Formally, I lead youth in my early 20's, which turned into leading youth programs, which turned into leading in organizations.

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

Having a family and working from home has drastically affected my work schedule. I used to find a strict schedule was highly productive, but sometimes affected personal life, and often lead to cycles of high energy>high exhaustion. This schedule was waking up early to allow for 1 hours spiritual and mental preparation and 1 hours of physical preparation (exercise, food, grooming).

I would categorize my days thematically to finish a project or project section in a day. I would typically organize my days in the morning for 15-30 minutes, then spend 3 hours doing more difficult tasks taking a 10 minutes break every hour. I would enjoy an hour long lunch usually with a friend or coworker, or alone if needed.

Afternoons typically were used for meetings and intersonal duties before closing the day with notes or finishing projects. I would use 2 hours after work for "flex time" decompressing, exercising, or working overtime and special projects if needed. Then give one hour for dinner, one hour for socializing, one 1.5 hrs for spiritual mental and physical slow down. Then bed. These days I base my schedule around family, but try to keep the above schedule in ethos.

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

Pivot, but don't quit. When leading an difficult project or organization, especially as an entrepreneur, it can be tempting to quit when the many challenges seem to continue and seem to overshadow growth. I've found that carefully considering if and how to to adapt and even pivot can be crucial in successfully leading a vision. Adaptation is necessary, change can be good, but quitting should only be a last case scenario.

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 New Testament. I've found that the teaching of Jesus to be humble, and to love God and love others, have been key in making me someone that people can trust and count on to be wise in making decisions, and caring in how they are made.

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

Love people. This will make you a natural leader. As you practice caring genuinely for others alongside your work you will be forced to make very difficult choices, and will need to be creative in how you accomplish outcomes that not only benefit your vision, but your team. Leading through loving will for force you to be a better leader.

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

I love nicknames, and I always give people nicknames when it feels appropriate. Nicknames are almost always appropriate with youth. I remember when I was nearing the end of limited role leading a youth program, one student said in passing, "you're the only person who's ever give me a nickname."

I realized then, how important small things can be in leadership. Making people feel heard, seen, and valued. This is not just important with youth, but it's crucial with adults too. If you want to succeed as a leader, show your teams that you care for and value them. You might be the only leader they experience professionally who truly shows them that they matter.