Name: Paul Mukana

Title: Content Activation Agent

Organisation: Glovo Kenya

I am a communications professional with over 4 years of experience in crafting compelling content and developing innovative strategies. My expertise spans digital media, media relations, public relations, journalism, and branding.

Passionate about driving brand engagement and creating meaningful connections, I am dedicated to delivering impactful communication solutions across various platforms.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

The first challenge that I have faced in my quest to be a leader is striking the balance between the current demands of managing teams and the wider need for strategic vision. Making sure that the whole team focuses on the real long-term goals and managing the current tasks is an uphill task. It needs profound flexibility, amazing communication and the ability to adjust priorities accordingly without necessarily deviating from the main target.

To me, I have really found that one big challenge: balancing and maintaining the energy in the team and also striking both short-term and long-term goals at once. To be honest, I have a challenge concentrating on both long-term and short-term targets at once, but at the same time, it has proven to be a rewarding strategy as far as leadership is concerned.

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

Great question. The ability to seize opportunities and learn from mistakes is the backbone of my leadership journey. I am one person who is obsessed with communication skills, and building rapport with my colleagues and all the stakeholders I come in touch with. All this made me be assigned projects that allowed me to directly showcase my teamwork and problem-solving skills.

As time went by, I found myself being tasked with leadership roles mostly leading small teams and guiding others. So that is how I gradually became a leader. But the turning point goes back to when I was tasked with an onboarding project that required collaboration among different departments and stakeholders. I came to learn the essence of not just managing tasks, but also providing a source of inspiration to the team.

By embracing open communication, supporting team members and remaining focused on the bigger goals, I gained massive confidence in my leadership style. In a nutshell, I first became a leader when I was chosen to spearhead the onboarding process. The company was transitioning to a new app that would allow partners to manage orders more efficiently.

I had to lead the team in going out and training the partners on the features of the new app. The journey of my leadership has been shaped by continuous growth, adaptation to challenges and the desire to always be the best in the people around me.

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

Morning: 6:00 AM: I begin my day with either a workout or a meditation session to clear my mind and set a positive tone. 7:00 AM: After breakfast, I review my goals, prioritize tasks, and create a to-do list, making sure to tackle the most important and challenging tasks first. 8:00 AM: I focus on deep work, usually handling strategic projects or key communications.

Midday: 12:00 PM: I take a break for lunch and some relaxation to recharge. 1:00 PM: In the afternoon, I engage in meetings, collaborate with others, and address more routine tasks like emails and reports. I also make space for brainstorming and creative thinking when needed. 3:00 PM: I reassess priorities and prepare for any late-afternoon deadlines.

Evening: 5:30 PM: I wrap up my work, set up for the next day, and reflect on my achievements. 6:30 PM: I disconnect from work, enjoy a personal hobby, or spend time with loved ones. 8:00 PM: Dinner time, followed by some light reading or relaxation with entertainment to unwind. 10:00 PM: I start winding down to ensure I get a good night’s sleep and am prepared for the next day.

This structure keeps me productive while also maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life. I aim to stay flexible but find this routine helps me stay focused and energized.

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

A recent lesson I've learned as a leader is the value of embracing vulnerability. I’ve realized that showing vulnerability—whether it’s admitting when I don’t have all the answers or acknowledging challenges—creates an environment of trust and openness within the team. It encourages others to share their thoughts and ideas more freely, fostering a stronger sense of collaboration and unity. This lesson has reminded me that leadership is not about having all the answers but about being authentic and creating space for growth and connection.

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?

A book that has deeply influenced my leadership journey is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. The book helped me understand the critical dynamics that can either make or break a team. It highlighted how a lack of trust, fear of conflict, and failure to commit to decisions can undermine team success, and how to address these issues proactively.

After reading it, I became more focused on building trust within my team, encouraging healthy conflict, and ensuring clear communication and commitment to goals. The book reinforced the idea that a leader’s role is not just to manage tasks but to nurture a high-performing team culture. It’s been a game-changer in how I approach leadership and team dynamics.

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

If I could give one piece of advice to a young person aspiring to be a leader, it would be: "Focus on continuous learning and self-improvement." Leadership is not a destination but a journey. Embrace feedback, seek new knowledge, and be open to evolving as you face new challenges. The best leaders are those who are committed to growing themselves, as this growth will help you inspire and guide others more effectively. Never stop learning, and never stop striving to be better.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? One meaningful story that stands out from my leadership journey is when I helped a team member through a difficult personal situation while still maintaining project momentum. We were in the middle of a critical project with tight deadlines when one of my team members experienced a family emergency. Rather than pushing them to continue working under pressure, I took the time to check in with them and offer support, ensuring they felt comfortable taking the time they needed.

At the same time, I reassigned tasks temporarily and made sure the rest of the team rallied together to ensure progress continued smoothly. The project was completed successfully, but the most rewarding part was seeing that team member return feeling supported, grateful, and even more committed to the team.

This experience reinforced for me that leadership is about empathy and understanding that people's well-being always comes first. The trust and loyalty we built through that moment made the entire team stronger and more unified moving forward.