Name: Morgan Vangue

Title: CTO

Organisation: Mars® Group

Born in Angola, raised in Zimbabwe. My initial career path was professional sport, which was the key to arriving in Europe and making the most of the pedagogical advantages there. Thus securing an alternative career path for me as a programmer.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Setting example is the norm for any leader, sometimes setting examples may come with near fails, as well as some type of consequence, some painful, some with long lasting effects. Judging the after effect of an action is still the most challenging part of leadership.

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

I was chosen. It started with Captainship roles in sport, followed by student body responsibility positions, then Préfecture. This blended well within my family leader role, taking on life in its most extreme merely to let know those i lead what limits to keep look out for for themselves. So, I thank God for making me a leader.

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

In the beginning of the Organization, it was much different from how it is now. Back then I was still setting up the Organizations Information Delivery Network and all is accessibles, so there was really no structure, it was a matter of doing the work until I felt i needed the rest, so many a nights' turn to noon before i went to bed. However, with the core set up complete today, I merely need to monitor the network and update policies, which is simpler than it may sound. I generally try and have reviewed the system and completed updates within the first 4 hours from waking up. House keeping is part of the work so Systemic updates allow me to multi-task. This leaves me with much time to explore, experiment and test different aspects of modern tech as well as the networks security itself. By night time it's all music, food and social media till round about 10pm most times.

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

To be a leader, one has to learn to follow.

A down side of being a young African tech expert, is that the seniors will always believe they know better. So many times i find myself doing contrary to my expertise' norms, by order of senior members. To their respect, I credit them with experience I may not have. I do however take such case as an opportunity to test out failure potential, just for future security.

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 Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

The book basically explains how Principalities are formed, kept or gained. As depicted in the book, for my case, for young leaders, Principalities are gained and kept for them. Much of fortune and discipline is a necessity, as well of course as the ability to manage such Principality. It's a rise in leadership by decision of other leaders. A great positive in such leadership principle is the outstanding level of stability of the Principality.

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

Toughen up, Pain is temporary.

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

Sometimes the successful ought to suffer failure for greater future perspective. In my final year of high school, I dearly expected to be awarded Sportsman of the Year for my outstanding performance in the sporting arena within the school, for the school and at a national level. Unfortunately it didn't come to pass. Today, i still have it as an objective to someday become World Sportsman of the Year. I may have to become a Formula One driver to pull that one off though. Hahaha... All in good time.