Name: Sarah legge

Title: Director

Organisation: Imagin products

I’ve owned and ran a printing business for the last 15 years. Prior to that I was an IT technical analyst for 20 years.

Life’s a challenge at times, and I fully believe that staff make or break a business … some are trainable and dedicated , and others should be employed elsewhere

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Keeping people motivated … it takes endless amount of energy to keep them on point… just when you think you’re there, you relax and walk away…. To find you’re back at square one before long

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

I was fed up working in IT and decided that starting my own business would be a breeze. It was, it grew a little, and so did the employee list … and so did the requirement to quickly become a leader

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

Always start with a plan …. Always! What needs to be done now, what can be done later and who is going to do it … and make sure they know and understand what they need to do now and later

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

That some people are just not going to be successful employees within your business …. No matter how hard you try, and how many opportunities you offer .. the fit just isn’t right

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?

Step up or step out! It made me realise that I cut too much slack and hope for the best . People need to understand the employer/employee relationship isn’t a friendship … it’s an agreed contract . Yes it can be friendly and pleasant and happy …. But the work needs to be done efficiently and respectfully

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

Read step up and step out

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

There are great people out there … you just need to find them, and support them .

I employed a young lad with very few qualifications, hardly any work experience , and wasn’t really sure he would stay . 10 years on, he’s got a great work ethic , will try to learn anything and everything, and while he still needs to improve his planning skills , he’s turning into a fantastic manager