Mohamad Najeb Zakri’s Post

Being a CEO is tough becusse no one becomes a CEO without taking on significant responsibilities. Your employees rely on you for their salaries, investors expect returns, and customers demand a good experience. This responsibility is even more personal for Founders who are trying to take on being a CEO because, without them, the business wouldn’t exist. As the company grows, more people place their trust in the founders’ vision, which can be both exciting and daunting. Founders often face tough problems that no one else in the company can solve. If a team member is struggling, you might question your management skills. If the product isn't growing quickly enough, you may wonder if you're leading properly. If an investor gives negative feedback, you might fear it will hurt future funding. Guilt can push you to work harder, but simply working more isn't always the solution. Growing businesses come with constant distractions and challenges, and your desk isn’t always the best place for focused thinking. While it’s your job to address issues, you also need time to think alone. Great companies understand the importance of training their staff to be the best. As a CEO, investing in your own development is crucial—you are one of your company’s most valuable assets. Remember, training and coaching aren’t just luxuries; they are essential for growth. So, don’t treat them as extra expenses; view them as investments in your success and the success of your business. I conduct leadership workshops teaching founders how to hire top talent (A-Players), create a culture of ownership, and free themselves from daily operations to focus on scaling. The next one (an 8-hour Boot Camp) is next weekend (5th & 6th of Oct). Email me at [email protected] if you would like to join it.

🚀 The Secret Weapon to Success That Most Leaders Overlook🚀 (And Why You Can’t Afford To Ignore It) Years ago, I thought I had to work harder to succeed. I stayed up late, pushed through burnout, and told myself, "This is the price of success." Sound familiar? But one day, everything changed. I was leading a team of 30 older men who didn’t trust me, didn’t respect me, and frankly, didn’t want me there. I could have kept forcing my way through—but I didn’t. Instead, I tried something radical. I asked them what they needed. I looked for ways to bring joy to the workday—not the fluffy kind of joy that fades but a joy grounded in connection, purpose, and trust. And guess what? It worked. That’s when I discovered my secret weapon: Joy isn’t just a nice feeling—it’s a strategy. Fast forward to today, and I’ve taken that lesson to help entrepreneurs and leaders like you scale businesses, 10X their income, and build teams that thrive—all without sacrificing what matters most. Here’s the deal: The hustle-and-grind mentality is over. It’s time to lead with boldness, clarity, and JOY. ✨ Want to know how to make this YOUR strategy? 👉 Join my exclusive mailing list to get first access to: ✅ High-value coaching opportunities ✅ Masterclasses that help you 10X your income and impact ✅ Free resources to build a business that actually cash flows ✅ Priority invites to live events and retreats This is your personal invitation to step into the next level of success—without losing yourself in the process. 💌 Click the link below to join PS: The world is waiting for YOUR bold leadership. Let’s make it happen together.

Embracing Failure: A Catalyst for Growth or a Misplaced Reward? At 27, brimming with confidence and perhaps a bit of overestimation, I launched my first retail store. I believed I had all the answers, but reality had other plans. The venture was an absolute disaster—a glaring failure of leadership and process management on my part. Yet, that experience became one of my greatest teachers. The lessons I learned have been the foundation for the successful startups I've built since. Failure, when approached with humility and a learning mindset, can be a powerful catalyst for growth. It forces us to confront our weaknesses, adapt, and evolve. In entrepreneurship, embracing failure isn't just about accepting setbacks; it's about leveraging them to build something stronger and more resilient. However, I've noticed a perplexing trend across industries where failure seems to be rewarded in ways that undermine this growth mindset. In the corporate world, executives sometimes receive substantial payouts even after steering companies into decline. Similarly, in sports, coaches are granted hefty contracts without delivering meaningful success on the field. This raises critical questions about accountability and the values we uphold in leadership roles. Are we inadvertently promoting a culture where failure is not just a stepping stone but a comfortable landing pad? I believe it's essential to distinguish between failure that leads to growth and failure that goes unexamined and unreformed. As leaders and entrepreneurs, we should foster environments where taking calculated risks is encouraged, but also where accountability is paramount. I'm curious to hear your thoughts: How can we better balance embracing failure as a learning opportunity while ensuring accountability? Have you witnessed or experienced situations where failure was inappropriately rewarded, and what lessons did that teach you? Let's start a conversation and learn from each other's experiences.

"BE THE SENIOR YOU NEEDED WHEN YOU WERE A JUNIOR"` In the journey of entrepreneurship and development, it is certain that the pathways to success will always be lined with a myriad of challenges, steep learning curves, and doubtful moments. As we journey up through the rungs of success, it's easy to forget how it was as juniors. Nevertheless, the true mark of leadership is being that mentor you once needed. Think back to your early career: the uncertainties, how you wanted to ask questions but didn't quite know how, and the guidance you were seeking. Now, you can turn that around into mentorship. Your wisdom, patience, and support light the way for the next generation. For me, being the senior you need means creating an open environment where any question is never stupid, and every idea is appreciated. It is sharing your success, failures, and lessons learned while on your way. There is also constructive feedback, celebrating one's milestones, and encouraging continuous learning. In this age of technology and business, it's easy to get caught up in the rhythm of deadlines and deliverables. Keep in mind that giving time to mentor juniors is not just a nice gesture; it is actually strategic for growing one's team and company. Juniors who are empowered grow into confident contributors, innovative thinkers, and future leaders. So call up that junior colleague today and provide some advice—share some of your experiences and really listen to their aspirations. Your support can be huge for them in the career, just as you might have once hoped for in your own. Ultimately, it isn't about the products you build or the deals you close. It's the people you inspire and the leaders you develop that will be your legacy. Be that senior you wish you had when you were a junior. Let's build a future where everyone thrives together. #Leadership #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Development #Inspiration #Motivation #TeamBuilding #FutureLeaders #Success

Are you gambling the long-term success of your organization? Great organizations and entrepreneurs are committed enough to nurture future leaders. They understand the risk of being caught off guard when a leader or key team member exits, leaving a void that threatens the company's direction and morale. The wise leader knows when to take the helm, but perhaps more critically, when and how to hand it over. They understand that mentoring successor(s) is crucial to maintaining the vision and future of the enterprise. This isn't a sign of weakness but of profound self-awareness and organizational commitment. Consider the story of a brilliant start-up entrepreneur I once worked with who was  thriving in the chaotic dance of the early start-up days: 📈 Her agility and boldness transformed an idea into an enterprise. 🔦 As the business grew, profit stabilized, and staff size began to grow, she recognized her torch was best carried by another. ⚒ Her strengths—vital in the birth stage of the company—were less aligned with the more structured environment it had matured into. 🤝 Acknowledging this, she began crafting her own exit, training leaders and potential successors. This example isn't about conceding defeat but about recognizing that different phases of a company's growth often require different styles of leadership and skill sets. What have you witnessed within your organizations that reflect strong succession planning? Or perhaps you've seen the impacts when succession planning was just an item on a check-list, rather than a practiced strategy?

You never know who you’ll meet… Last week, I had some work done on my front door, and what started as a routine repair turned into an unexpected conversation. The owner of the business brought along his new business partner, and as we stood chatting for 30 minutes, I found myself naturally exploring ways they could improve their operations. We talked about their business model, the challenges of scaling, and the importance of having clear structures and processes to grow effectively. I shared a few ideas off the cuff, and by the end of our chat, the owner turned to me and said ' You should run your own consultancy' It made me smile. As it happens, this is exactly what I do. I’m a leadership coach and I am also a mentor, and consultant with SME businesses, and conversations like these are what fuel my passion. Helping people see new opportunities, reframe their roles, and embrace the potential for growth is what drives me every day. Before they left, he joked about expecting an invoice for my advice, but I simply said, “I hope it helps. Let’s see how I can support you moving forward.” There is no expectation of future work, but I know I made a difference to 2 business owners lives in just 30 minutes. The real takeaway from this encounter wasn’t just the exchange of ideas, it was the reminder that opportunities to make an impact often appear in the most unexpected places. You never know who you’ll meet or where a simple conversation might lead. If you’ve been thinking about coaching for yourself or your business, I’d love to start a conversation with you. Whether you’re an SME owner looking to scale, a leader navigating change, or someone seeking fresh perspective, let’s explore how I can help. _________________________ After three decades of senior leadership, 15,000+ hours of coaching, and the adventure of building, scaling, and selling a business, one thing’s crystal clear. I’m here to make a real difference. My passion? Helping clients level up their lives, careers, and the teams they lead, all while keeping things fun and meaningful. Whether you're looking to achieve big goals, make lasting changes, or just shake things up, I’m all in! Curious how I can help you? Then book a free consultation, link in my bio.

SCALEUP MASTERMIND - SYDNEY For 7 years, I’ve been running year-long coaching programs for individual CEOs and their Leadership Teams. And what I’ve found is that the biggest breakthroughs often come in short, focussed conversations with small groups of smart people. So, for the first time ever, I’m bringing a small group of Founders & CEOs together in Sydney, and going straight to work. People come to me when growth is stalled, the leadership team is ineffective, and people are avoiding accountability. So, here’s what we’ll work on together… . First, we’ll Nail your business and personal vision for the next 3 years. . Then, I’ll Give you the Tools to be an Effective, Focussed & Balanced CEO . We’ll define your 3 Year Winning Moves for your business & a simple 12-month Plan . Together, we’ll Build your Future Organisation Plan that supports your strategy . Finally, we’ll Build out your Culture of Ownership and Responsibility for your business. I’ll also guide you through the power of one — a tool that will 5X your investment within a month. You’ll leave with a roadmap, and we’ll have 4 weekly implementation calls together to help you install the new systems and make them stick. It’s a small group, so I’m looking for a very specific crew of people. If you are a: . Founder, CEO, Business owner of a private company with 9 - 60 staff ($1m - $25 m revenue) . You come with “Batteries Included” . You are Fun, Smart, a Learner - who is looking for me to help them fast track. You don’t need to do anything right now. Just reply to let me know you’re IN, and I’ll save you a spot. Jonathan

I was speaking with another coach yesterday. He shared that many coaches he knows are experiencing reduced client loads. The reason? We assume it's because business owners tend to stop investing in "non-essentials" like coaching and business strategy when they're feeling tight. Which makes sense. After all, are they going to prioritize paying a coach over their own employees? But what if I told you that a down market is the time when you could least afford to stop investing in coaching? That these investments are not luxuries—they’re necessities, especially in tough times? And that if you've never worked with a coach, this would be the perfect time to start? Here are some reasons why coaching is not a luxury but a necessity: 1. Sharpening your strategy: When business slows down, leaders need fresh perspectives to rethink strategies and explore new opportunities. Coaches help you pivot and adapt, ensuring you remain competitive. 2. Boosting morale: Coaching keeps teams motivated and engaged, especially when uncertainty lowers morale. Investing in yourself and your employees during tough times shows commitment and builds loyalty. 3. Fostering growth: Instead of focusing only on cost-cutting, coaches encourage a growth mindset. They help businesses view slow periods as opportunities for reinvention, ensuring you emerge stronger. Cutting coaching and personal development may save short-term costs, but it hurts long-term growth. Businesses that continue investing in leadership, development, and innovation are the ones that survive and thrive. #businesscoaching #selfdevelopment #growth

Slindile Baloyi's EntrepreneurshipTips: Social media wants you engaging with content, which is great. However, social media can also be a distraction preventing you from doing the hard work required to achieve your goals. As a leader and entrepreneur don't just be motivated. Aspire to grow in life and in business. My work as a leadership coach, strategist, and consultant is designed to help you transform your life and improve your business! I do also keep it all the way real and simple when we work together. I can wow you with visual effects, but if you're still emotionally exhausted, mentally fatigued, and spiritually drained as a leader, that video will be yet another distraction. Let's just say, with over the two decades in executiclve leadership roles, I've come across too many leaders who don't know how to handle hard truth because they identify with a false impression of leadership from the interwebs, have been cushioned from tough conversations and have yet to learn how to bravely communicate and receive constructive feedback without being emotional. ~At the core of leadership is personal development~Excerpt from Coaching Leaders for Impact Book! 👉🏾Grab your copy on Amazon or DM me to purchase your copy in SA🇿🇦