Name: Scott Asack

Title: CEO

Organisation: Skope Vision

26-year career as an officer in US Special Operations. Started my own consulting LLC for leadership and mental fitness. Working as Senior Director of Business Development in the National Security Defense Technology sector.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Always being up and on. I believe the leader sets the tone of the organization in day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

Sometimes life gets in the way of that, and I have found that staying fully engaged and energized on the organization's activities, decisions, and crises tends to be my biggest challenge when I am also a husband, father, son, brother, and uncle.

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

I have always had a personal inner drive to improve and excel. Whether in academics, sports, or in the US Navy, leadership became inextricably intertwined with my drive to improve. In school, I was voted class president, and in sports, I was the team captain, but I didn't have a lot of leadership tools and approaches.

My true leadership skills were developed through the help of the US Navy. I was put in charge of increasingly larger groups of personnel and higher consequence missions over the course of 26 years, and I garnered a great deal of lessons learned to refine my leadership style.

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

I start my day with fitness.

I need to get my blood flowing and get serotonin and dopamine going to start my day.

I then have a light, healthy breakfast while checking my schedule for the day and identifying any pressing issues that need to be addressed.

I review the sticky note I made at the end of the day prior that listed top priority items to address/accomplish this day and head into work.

I make a conscious effort throughout the day to get out of my office to engage with others and not get trapped behind my desk answering emails.

I check in with my family once during the work day and make sure I leave on time for any family engagements.

I do not drink alcohol during the work week, and after spending some family time after dinner together, I shoot to get into bed before 10 pm.

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

Everyone does not think about work issues the same way I do. I sometimes need to remind myself not to get frustrated with others who may not respond to a question the way I would and instead look further into their perspective and appreciate the new view.

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?

Crusade in Europe - Dwight D Eisenhower General Eisenhower was such an insightful leader who took the time to understand people, and always asked "how is the other guy going to view and interpret this decision?"

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

Read a lot, and put yourself into any leadership position within reach to get experience. Most importantly, be yourself...be authentic, and you will build trust and confidence among your team.

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

Dealing with the death of a teammate. As a leader, I was deeply hurt, but I knew my young team needed confidence and courage to carry on. I challenged each member to ensure that the teammate's loss would not be in vain and that we must show resilience and carry on to honor him.

The team quickly cemented an even stronger bond together. Through adversity and suffering, we should look to a higher purpose. Often, it takes a strong leader to show us that purpose.