Strategic thinking is the ability to develop a plan to achieve a goal. It requires creativity and critical thinking to come up with innovative solutions. A great example of this is Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. He has created a business empire by leveraging strategic thinking to identify opportunities and capitalize on them.
We are living in the Renaissance of Work. Just like great artists know that an empty canvas can become anything, great leaders know that an entire organization — and the people inside it — can become anything, too. Master Artists and Mastering the Art of Leadership draw from the same source: creation. In this series, we’ll meet masters who are creating the future of work and painting a portrait of lasting leadership. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Yasin Arafat.
Yasin Arafat is the founder of DOPPCALL Limited, a Pay Per Call affiliate network. His passion lies in Digital Marketing and he has 7 years of experience in this field. DOPPCALL brings publishers and advertisers together and helps businesses acquire more clients without extra cost and helps publishers earn commissions.
Thank you for joining us. Our readers would enjoy discovering something interesting about you. What are you in the middle of right now that you’re excited about personally or professionally?
I’m currently most excited about the launch of my new digital marketing business. I’m focusing on providing a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses. My goal is to help these businesses maximize their online presence and increase their customer base. To achieve this, I am focusing on providing custom tailored solutions and advice. This includes developing and executing a digital marketing strategy that is tailored to each business’s goals and objectives. Additionally, I am also working on creating digital marketing campaigns that will help to increase reach and engagement, as well as creating content that will help to boost brand awareness. Overall, I’m very excited to be able to help small and medium-sized businesses grow their online presence and reach their goals.
We all get by with a little help from our friends. Who is the leader that has influenced you the most, and how?
I have been fortunate to have been influenced by many great leaders in my life, but one stands out above the rest. Her name is Dr. Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She was a woman of remarkable strength and courage who inspired me to become a better person. Dr. Mankiller was an advocate for Native American rights and a champion of women’s rights. Her leadership style was based on collaboration, consensus building, and a commitment to fairness. She believed that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed and her commitment to justice and equality was unwavering. Dr. Mankiller gave me the courage to stand up for what I believe in and the strength to pursue my dreams. She taught me to recognize my own worth and to never give up on my goals. She was a role model and an inspiration to me, and I will forever be grateful for her influence in my life. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the causes she championed.
Sometimes our biggest mistakes lead to our biggest discoveries. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made as a leader, and what did you discover as a result?
Reflecting on the biggest mistake I have made as a leader, I would have to say it was a time when I was too focused on the task at hand and not enough on the people involved. I was so intent on completing the task and meeting the deadlines that I failed to really engage with the team and foster an environment of collaboration. As a result, the task was completed, but the team morale was low and I realised that the people in my team were the most important asset, not the task. This mistake led me to realise the importance of taking the time to understand each team member, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to best use them. I now ensure that I provide regular feedback, create an environment of trust and respect, and focus on the team as a whole. I also take the time to thank people for their contribution and encourage collaboration. This mistake was a valuable learning experience for me and has helped me develop as a leader. It has shown me that leadership is about more than simply getting tasks completed, but also about building relationships and understanding the team.
How has your definition of leadership changed or evolved over time? What does it mean to be a leader now?
My definition of leadership has changed and evolved over time, as I have gained experience and developed my understanding of what it takes to be an effective leader. Leadership is no longer just about having the authority to make decisions, but also about having the ability to inspire and motivate others to take action. To be a leader now, it’s important to have a clear vision of where you want to go and how to get there, as well as the ability to communicate and collaborate with others. Leadership also involves taking a holistic approach to problem solving, understanding the different perspectives and needs of those you are leading and being able to empathize with them. As a leader, it is important to be able to motivate and inspire others, bring out the best in them, and create a positive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Leadership is also about having a sense of integrity and authenticity, and being able to take responsibility for the actions and decisions you make. Ultimately, leadership is about being able to make a positive impact on those you are leading and bringing out the best in them.
Success is as often as much about what we stop as what we start. What is one legacy leadership behavior you stopped because you discovered it was no longer valuable or relevant?
One legacy leadership behavior that I stopped was the practice of micromanaging. I had been taught to micromanage as a way to ensure that employees were on task and that tasks were completed correctly. However, I soon realized that this practice was not effective. It left employees feeling overwhelmed and demotivated, and it actually inhibited their ability to think creatively and take initiative. Additionally, it took up a lot of my time and limited my ability to focus on the bigger picture. Instead, I found that focusing on providing clear expectations, providing feedback, and training employees on the job was much more effective. This allowed employees to feel more empowered and enabled them to take ownership of their work. It also allowed me to focus on the bigger picture and provide more strategic direction. This shift in my approach to leadership has made a positive impact on the team and our overall success.
What is one lasting leadership behavior you started or are cultivating because you believe it is valuable or relevant?
I believe that one of the most important leadership behaviors I have cultivated is the practice of active listening. Active listening involves really taking the time to listen to the concerns and ideas of my team members and other stakeholders, without any judgments or biases. By actively listening to the people I am leading, I can get a better sense of their needs and their perspectives, and use this information to make more informed decisions. In addition, by actively listening, I can also foster a more trusting environment and build stronger relationships with my team, which will ultimately help us to achieve our common goals. Active listening is an essential leadership behavior that I am actively cultivating and striving to perfect on a daily basis.
What advice would you offer to other leaders who are stuck in past playbooks and patterns and may be having a hard time letting go of what made them successful in the past?
Leaders who are stuck in past playbooks and patterns may be having a hard time adapting to new situations and circumstances. The best advice I can offer is to take some time to reflect and analyze the current environment. Consider the goals you want to achieve and how the current situation may be hindering those goals. Ask yourself if the past playbooks and patterns are still applicable and if not, why not? It is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the past playbooks and patterns and then use that information to create new strategies and plans. Additionally, it is important to be open to different viewpoints and ideas from others. Seek out the opinions of a diverse set of stakeholders, including customers, employees, and suppliers, to get a better understanding of the current situation. Finally, it is important to be willing to experiment and take risks. Trying something new can be uncomfortable, but it is often necessary for long-term success. Leaders need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changing circumstances in order to stay successful.
Many of our readers can relate to the challenge of leading people for the first time. What advice would you offer to new and emerging leaders?
As a new or emerging leader, it can be daunting to lead people for the first time. However, with the right approach, you can become an effective leader and help your team reach their goals. First, be sure to set a vision and clearly communicate it to your team. Establish expectations and make sure everyone understands their roles in achieving the vision. Encourage feedback and open dialogue by listening to your team’s ideas and perspectives. Aim to build trust with your team members and show them respect. Be decisive and take responsibility for your decisions. Show your team that you are confident in your decisions and provide clear direction. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Being open to learning and collaboration will help you become a better leader. Finally, be patient and recognize that it takes time to develop successful leadership skills. Show appreciation for your team’s work and celebrate successes along the way. With the right attitude and approach, you can become an effective leader and help your team reach their goals.
Based on your experience or research, what are the top five traits effective leaders exemplify now? Please share a story or an example for each.
Effective leaders today must possess a combination of traits to be successful, but the top five traits that stand out are:
1. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is a critical trait for effective leaders. It is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions, and to recognize and understand the emotions of others. A great example of this is the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella. He has gained a reputation for his ability to lead with empathy and compassion, which has enabled him to build a strong, positive organizational culture.
2. Strategic Thinking: Strategic thinking is the ability to develop a plan to achieve a goal. It requires creativity and critical thinking to come up with innovative solutions. A great example of this is Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. He has created a business empire by leveraging strategic thinking to identify opportunities and capitalize on them.
3. Communication Skills: Communication skills are essential for effective leaders. They need to be able to effectively communicate their vision, objectives, and ideas to their team. A great example of this is Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. She is known for her ability to effectively communicate her ideas and inspire her team to action.
4. Courage: Courage is a highly valuable trait for effective leaders. They need to be able to take risks, make difficult decisions, and lead their team through difficult times. A great example of this is Apple CEO Tim Cook. He has shown tremendous courage in leading Apple through the difficult transition following the death of Steve Jobs.
5. Integrity: Integrity is a must for effective leaders. They need to be honest and trustworthy, and stay true to their values and commitments. A great example of this is CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett. He has built a successful business empire by staying true to his values and maintaining a high level of integrity.
These five traits are essential for effective leaders today. They need to be able to understand and manage their own emotions, develop a plan to achieve their goals, communicate their vision, take risks, and remain honest and trustworthy. By possessing these traits, leaders can inspire their team to success.
American Basketball Coach John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” How do you embody that quote? We welcome a story or example.
I strive to embody the wisdom of John Wooden’s quote by setting small, achievable goals for each day. By breaking down my larger goals into smaller, daily tasks, I am able to stay focused and make measurable progress. For example, I am currently training for a marathon. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the distance I need to cover, I focus on one day at a time. I plan my runs and track my progress, so that I can see the progress I am making towards my larger goal. My goal each day is to do my best and push myself, while keeping a mindful attitude. This allows me to stay motivated and stay focused on the present moment. It also helps me to appreciate each day and recognize how far I have come. Ultimately, I strive to make each day my masterpiece.
What is the legacy you aspire to leave as a leader?
My goal as a leader is to create a lasting legacy of positive change. I want to create an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation. I want to empower my team with the knowledge and resources they need to reach their full potential. I also hope to have a lasting impact on the community around me, by promoting diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. I want to be remembered as a leader who fostered an environment of learning and growth and made a lasting impact on the people and communities I served. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others to make their own positive impacts on the world. I want to make sure my legacy is one that encourages others to strive for excellence and make the world a better place.
How can our readers connect with you to continue the conversation?
Readers can connect with me through my social media accounts, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. On each of these accounts, I’m constantly sharing insights and advice about the topics I specialize in. I also encourage readers to reach out to me directly with any questions or feedback they have. I look forward to continuing the conversation with everyone!
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.