by: Bernie Fernandez
With considerable surprise, I receive the email from EO Melbourne. I am being invited to write a blog as a subject matter expert. Painful anxiety mixed with disdain rises as I read the subject “What are the 3 most important items on an entrepreneurs’ desk”. I hate it.
This idea, however, stumbles into my head days later as I hear the quote below from the book, You Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.
“In a society where mediocrity is too often the standard and too often rewarded, there is intense fascination with those who detest mediocrity, who refuse to define themselves in conventional terms, and who seek to transcend traditionally recognised human capabilities.” – Navy Seal Commander
I do not believe I am the subject matter expert on the topic handed to me. So taking a cue from the seminal business book, Tools of Titan by Tim Ferris, I asked 3 of my ex-clients, each who demonstrated elite leadership and standards throughout their careers, to identify the single most important item on their desks.
CHAPTER 1: GRAEME STRANGE – WHITE SPACE
I hear a lot of people calling 2020 a write-off. With absolute respect to the many people of unfortunate circumstance, I belong to the ‘other’ many that do not see 2020 that way.
In late February, I received the news that two of my Spanish family contracted COVID-19. With the impending situation being broadcast to the world, I naturally made sure I kept constant contact. It seems like a blessing now as my cousin shared advice on how to deal with the inevitable lockdown here. “Go find something you’ve always wanted to do, something you’ve put off because you never had the time and do it. You now have time and space.”
Graeme may not know this, but early on in one of many workplace project meetings, without Graeme in attendance, the term “repressed hunter” was coined to describe the cultural leadership and design direction of the business leader. One morning, I approached Graeme sitting at his desk. Embodying Indiana Jones, the adventurer had swapped the worn leather and fedora for neat business attire. As he sat in plain sight in an open plan with 60+ staff, I had to ask:
“How do you manage to get any work done sitting here?”
The ever calm and compassionate man, with all the time in the world for anyone, replied, “When I’m at work, the door is always open. When I truly need something done, I go home”. That was 2015.
The ensuing conversation stayed with me and now will be expanded upon from a recent conversation to answer the question: What is the most important item on your desk?
The answer – space.
An empty desk reflects an empty mind. Space is required to focus on and solve problems. A leader’s role is to work on solving problems. Space must be allowed to work on Challenges, Staff, Business and Customer Needs. After all, staff are looking after your customers. Your desk is simply a place to work. What is required for productivity is a state of mind and technology.
CHAPTER 2: ANOU KHANIJOU – THE POWER OF THE PENCIL
Passing through Indonesian customs, our group was greeted by an attaché and luggage hands. They led us towards a nice bus just a short walk from the front doors of the airport. In what might have been a humid Kuta minute and two quick words, the “nice” bus disappeared. A shiny new leather-lined, stereo-amplified Mercedes instantly turned the corner. “Now, this is a little more to my standards,” revealed Anou.
Over the following five days, my understanding of a business retreat became redefined forever. What was increasingly obvious was that in her “spare time”, Anou had meticulously hand-curated royalty-level experiences for us, one after the other. Spectacular private adjoining villas. As I come to understand, they were practically impossible to book. Yoga instructors and masseuses were scheduled to arrive every morning. Onsite chefs were to serve us breakfast and lunch by the pool.
I knew enough of Anou’s life to know that as the PR representative to Hollywood in Australia, this afforded her a well-connected network. National theatre level “opera” was simply one of the many performances conducted by Anou at any given time around the world.
About a year later, I visited Anouconcept’s soon-to-be new office space. I admired the décor and the hum of the productive office in full swing and found myself reflecting on this amazing person. So humbly inspiring, so unfathomably busy, yet with so much time for others.
With curiosity, I asked the trailing query and key point to this blog - “What is the single most important item on your desk?” To which, Anou replied, “A pencil.”
I will not lie, during COVID-19, I have struggled for focus and to stay on top. Capturing the many important details and concepts of the creative and delivery process has been tough. Here is someone I look up to, orchestrating similarly complex projects for the likes of Universal Studios, Chris Hemsworth and Justin Bieber!
What I have learnt was that Anou has created and orchestrated these multiple once-in-a-lifetime experiences, crafted incredible stories, and built multiple businesses by learning the simple, yet the very important habit of taking time in writing things down.
She explained, “I always write my ideas and plans – big or small – with a pencil. It’s the most essential tool on my desk juxtaposed with all this technology.”
Artists ensure there is a direct and physical connection between brain, hand, medium and paper. There is pure artistry in Anou’s inquisitive mind. Gentle and empathic, yet also critically honest and transparent. Anou makes time and space for scribing and reflection, later sharing with others and directing these learnings into her daily life.
CHAPTER 3: MINA SHEHATA - TRUE GRIT
True Grit. The movie instantly flashed delicious, memorable images of amazing characters and a wonderful story spun together by the genius of the Coen Brothers. We, the viewers, are swept away by the stellar performances, story, action and incredible scenery. At the end of the film and in that unique twist we all enjoy so well, we realise the protagonist deserving of label “True Grit” is the often sidelined fourteen-year-old girl Mattie Ross. This female lead is astounding, uncompromising and determined to achieve her mission at all costs.
True Grit, as defined, is passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals. It is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and persevere when you face obstacles.
Enter this story - Mina Shehata.
“There are 3 types of engineers. One - the technician: socially inept, but detailed and brilliant. Two - the social butterfly: great at sales and people, but hopeless engineers, and three - a bit of both. Mina is a lot of both.” Wes Malek of ECM Building Services Engineers shared this with me over a lockdown telephone interview. “What separates Mina from the typical engineer – it’s his intellect!” Wes Malek leads a team of 30 and has run his business for about 17 years. “ECM practically recommends Mina and Mina’s business, RMS Manufacturing, exclusively on every project.” ECM is not alone.
Wes also told a great story of first meeting Mina on a cruise trip up the Nile over 20 years ago. As the night closed in over the cruise through this magical desert scene, Wes recalled, “this massive guy being dressed in Bedouin headgear, passionately dancing with Sheesha pipe in hand all night long! Mina simply squeezes out every single last drop of life he can.”
Ten years ago, RMS began from absolutely nothing. Led by someone like Mattie Ross, Mina uncompromisingly brought it to become the premier switchboard manufacturer of Victoria. Mina sits on the board as President of NESMA (National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturing Association), while RMS switchboards sit in the basements protecting the biggest and most important government and commercial buildings in Australia.
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Mina and his growing business to assist in accommodating RMS into a new custom-built 2400-sqm Manufacturing and Office facility in Derrimut. Knowing Mina for his relentless drive — True Grit — and as living evidence of the Law of Attraction, I simply had to ask, “What is the single most important item on your desk?”
“My two screens,” flatly replied Mina. “I’m set up to work from anywhere – this week Queensland, next Dubai.” Knowing that Mina vibrates at this high frequency, his response did not surprise me at all. “Two screens allow me to work as efficiently as I can, anywhere.”
As we all face a return to a “normal” work-life now finally integrated into our sacred homes, any semblance of “work-life balance” should irrefutably be as dead Josh Brolin’s Tom Chaney. Mina’s relentless pursuit of efficiency provides the space to be the best he can be at work, which results in having a clear mind and choices to live a life of freedom which he deserves.
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About the author:
Bernie Fernandez is the Founder of Agero Group and Sustainable Stripout. He is also a member of EO Melbourne.