The Stress of Leadership: Shahid Sheikh OBE

Nearly seven in 10 business leaders are struggling with stress in the workplace according to a recent study. Leadership pressure is a huge responsibility and one which shouldn’t be taken lightly by either the leader themselves or those supporting them. Too much pressure applied to an underprepared and unsupported leader can result in huge implications for the leader themselves, their team and their business. We asked Shahid Sheikh OBE, Managing Director of Clifton Packaging Group Ltd - do you feel the strain of being the one that others look to? 

I have to say that I really enjoy taking on responsibilities and the pressures that go with them. It gives me a buzz, keeps the adrenaline flowing and keeps me focussed - the delegating, the planning and the execution of all the ideas which, in turn, gives the desire to succeed a new meaning. This is what being a leader is all about - not just leading but creating more leaders, not followers. I’m not cut out to follow – I know that! Working with your team makes life a lot easier as opposed to working against them.

That said, I question what’s being done all the time and, believe me, that’s got me into big trouble in the past! The opportunity I have at Clifton is to create a business that me and the rest of my family, our team, our community and the City of Leicester can feel genuinely proud of and that’s really exhilarating! From being a lifestyle business, I decided to set a new and a very clear vision and strategy of growth to be achieved within just five years…and the challenge was on!

We will hit our turnover target by the end of our next financial year and I’ve already started to look ahead. New targets have already been set. Why? Because we never stand still at Clifton; it’s always about innovation, continuous improvement, challenge and opportunity. Time doesn’t wait for anybody so grab every minute you can and make it worthwhile! Business can be very unforgiving, so do today what others are planning to do tomorrow and stay ahead of the game!

As I said at a recent business dinner I spoke at – it often takes as much energy to increase your turnover from ￡1 million to ￡1.1 million as it does to grow turnover to ￡10 million. So, if you’re going to do it then do it big! Have fun, take your people with you on the journey and educate them along the way - that’ll help to reduce any stress and strain for a start but, ultimately, as the leader, the success or failure of your vision and strategy sits on your shoulders and you can’t – nor should you – forget that. That’s why it’s really important to surround yourself with positive people. I won’t say I look up to anyone because I don’t, but equally, I don’t look down on anyone. I treat everyone the same. I know I can learn from others and I do – all the time. Sometimes that’s from friends or people in business, sometimes it’s from sports people – I love sport!

Looking outside of your industry or even business can give you the biggest clues as to how to achieve your next goal and the next. It’s also a great way to relax which is equally important. You’ve got to remain fresh and excited about each day; you can’t afford to become jaded. Relaxing with my family, watching a movie or going to a sports events helps me unwind and chill out. Then it’s back to it and time to build some more! I think travelling is also a very important part of continuous learning and development, as there is a lot to learn from what goes on around the globe commercially and culturally; things that we can pick up and easily adapt into our businesses making it more accessible to global buyers. The world really has now become a global village, so learn to expand your horizons and let the world know that we’re here and ready to do business!

You can read more on this subject in the latest issue of Niche Magazine.