Shamubeel Eaqub, Chief Economist at Simplicity, is an author, media commentator, and thought leader who makes economics easy. CT lifts the hood on how he understands leadership.
What does good leadership look like to you?
Leadership, whether in business or in any other context, is all about getting and doing the best for others. It looks like servant leadership, and it is how we act, rather than the role.
And for most of us, leadership is learnt, rather than innate. That means we need to invest in ourselves to become leaders, rather than assuming that leadership comes with a position. The style of individual leadership will be specific to a person.
Great leaders have two key things in mind: the future and people. That is how to make positive choices today: to ensure your people are safe, seen and stretched to get to that positive vision.
How do you choose what projects to say yes to and what to let go of?
Saying no is hard! It’s a skill I am still learning. I tend to focus on two things: good clients and good projects.
If it is a long-standing client, then I will say yes more often than not. If I can’t do it, I will connect them to someone who will do a good job and offer to be a sounding board.
When it comes to good projects, that’s a no-brainer. It’s fun and rewarding to work on cool projects because it’s a great topic, it’s a novel method, or you get to work with some awesome people.
Deepening relationships, new relationships and new experiences tend to be the things I say yes to. Although I am still learning how to say no.
What habits or routines help you stay both productive and well?
It’s a constant battle, but time management and prioritisation are two key things that help me stay well, focused and productive. That means setting time aside for family, exercise, sleep and fun.
And being regimented in getting work done in allocated times. It also requires keeping flex in the schedule, which is easier said than done! But honest and clear communication with others (who are working for you, and the people you are working for) can also help manage things.
The trick to fixing a tricky day for me is to have little pleasures in life. A great cup of coffee in a lovely café without a phone and any other distractions is a real treat. Or a walk by the beach is a real reset after a messy day.
It’s all a bit twee, but good planning, having a clear set of priorities, and building fun things into your day really helps me get through the large volumes of engagements and work I do.
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