World’s Most Influential Leaders Inspiring The Business World, 2023 By Worlds's Leaders Magazine

1. Vol. 10 | Issue 20 | October 2023 www.worldsleaders.com World’s Most Managing Director SkillUp Global Influential Leaders Inspiring The Business World, 2023 A Seasoned IT Professional and Mentor in Corporate Training GEORGE

4. World’s Most Inuential Leaders Inspiring The Business World, 2023 Making Inuence through Presenting Transformational Leadership Influential leaders enforce compliance to clearly stated organizational processes and frameworks by using their position of authority. Prominent figures frequently have strong ideas and don't hesitate to express them. The difficulty with transactional leadership is to have a great deal of control without coming across as oppressive. The late Albert Dunlap, the CEO of Sunbeam and Scott Paper, took great pride in the fact that he failed to accomplish this goal when writing his book, Mean Business. Dunlap's harsh methods of enforcing discipline and increasing profits earned him the moniker "Chainsaw Al.” dispersed teams, and maintaining a strong focus on Quality Adherence. Sony is highly regarded for his acute business acumen. One of Sony's true passions lies in training and mentorship. He is deeply committed to honing the skills and potential of individuals, helping them refine their personality, soft skills, communication abilities, interview readiness, and emotional intelligence. Through his current venture, SkillUp Global, Sony offers comprehensive Corporate Training programs designed to equip employees with the essential etiquettes and skills required for a thriving corporate career. His dedication to training and transforming individuals extends to both their professional and personal lives, with the ultimate goal of enabling their success. Influential leaders, on the other hand, inspire others to go above and beyond the call of duty by motivating, supporting, and encouraging them. Empathy, emotion, and empowerment are the foundations of this convincing strategy. Prominent executives collaborate with their groups to clarify the ideal transformation for the company and then inspire them to bring the change to fruition. World Leader's latest edition “World's Most Influential Leaders Inspiring the Business World, 2023”has featured influential business leaders who have steady hands-on leadership and business processes. The cover features Sony George, the Managing Director of SkillUp Global, is a seasoned professional with a rich background in IT and a track record of over two decades in the industry. In addition to his extensive IT expertise, Sony brings three years of valuable startup experience to the table. His professional journey has encompassed a wide range of areas, including Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Profit and Loss Management (P&L), overseeing geographically Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts. Have a lovely read!

5. CREDIT PAGE Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar Executive Editor Nicole Williams Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal Art & Design Director Jack Anderson Business Development Manager Mia Oliver Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey Associate Designer Kevin Rust Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke Sales Manager Megan Morgan, Irfan Shekh Marketing Manager Tom Swann Technical Specialist Barry Jones Circulation Manager Danny Parker OCTOBER 2023 3296 Westerville Rd #250, Columbus, OH 43224, USA Copyright 2023 WORLD’S LEADERS, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from WORLD’S LEADERS Reprint rights remain solely with WORLD’S LEADERS. Follow us on :

6. 08 SONY GEORGE SONY GEORGE A Seasoned IT Professional and Mentor in Corporate Training

7. 18 Lionel Lodge 22 George Patriki 28 Gurminder Matharu 32 Karan Jain 38 Parmi Natesan 42 Robert Nichols

8. Sony Sony Sony George A Seasoned IT Professional and Mentor in Corporate Training 08 | October 2023

9. worldsleaders.com | 09

10. 10 | October 2023

11. Sony Sony George Sony George regarded for his acute business acumen. One of Sony's true passions lies in training and mentorship. He is deeply committed to honing the skills and potential of individuals, helping them refine their personality, soft skills, communication abilities, interview readiness, and emotional intelligence. Through his current venture, SkillUp Global, Sony offers comprehensive Corporate Training programs designed to equip employees with the essential etiquettes and skills required for a thriving corporate career. His dedication to training and transforming individuals extends to both their professional and personal lives, with the ultimate goal of enabling their success. the Managing Director of SkillUp Global, is a seasoned professional with a rich background in IT and a track record of over two decades in the industry. In addition to his extensive IT expertise, Sony brings three years of valuable startup experience to the table. His professional journey has encompassed a wide range of areas, including Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Profit and Loss Management (P&L), overseeing geographically dispersed teams, and maintaining a strong focus on Quality Adherence. Sony is highly worldsleaders.com | 11

12. Path to Founding SkillUp Global Sony has a strong educational background with a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Mangalore University (1989) and a Master of Computer Applications from NIT Calicut (1992). He began his IT career in India with Asian Paints and TCS before working in the UK and the US with companies like Ciber Inc, Analysts International, and eFunds International (now FIS). Upon returning to India in 2021, he joined Wipro as a Project Manager, later becoming a Delivery Manager. He then moved to IBM, where he eventually became a General Manager. 12 | October 2023

13. founded SkillUp Global, a company providing individual and corporate training programs. Cultivating Leadership Abilities Sony recognized a critical issue within the Indian business landscape: the quality of resources provided by the academic system often lacks the necessary soft skills and leadership abilities. While individuals may possess technical knowledge, they frequently lack the essential skills required for business success. This deficiency impedes the growth potential of many companies, even when opportunities abound. Lateral recruitment, an option to address this, is not always feasible due to the associated higher salary costs. Furthermore, during the Covid-19 lockdown, many experienced professionals took advantage of the situation to secure higher-paying positions by switching jobs. Fulfillment in Mentorship Sony has accumulated vast experience in both national and international corporate settings, providing valuable insights to leaders seeking alignment with global standards. His career has been enriched by diverse training experiences with top companies, allowing him to integrate various methodologies and industry insights. This background equips him to deliver comprehensive, practical training sessions that empower participants with the skills and confidence to excel. Sony's professional satisfaction is deeply rooted in helping fellow professionals achieve success by sharing knowledge, offering mentorship, and coaching them to reach their goals. He consistently puts forth extraordinary effort, exceeding expectations in all endeavors. Additionally, he derives joy from assisting young individuals in selecting suitable careers, uncovering their hidden potential, and guiding them to leverage their unique skills for significant career growth. With over two decades of IT industry experience, Sony ventured into entrepreneurship in 2011 and 2012, co-founding two technology startups: Digital Future of India Pvt Ltd, which offered a tablet solution for educational institutions, and Trip2Success, a platform for competitive exam study materials and testing. Following these ventures, he worked as a freelance Business Consultant for various companies, mainly startups. In 2018, Sony Finest Training Solutions to Industry Challenges Sony emphasizes that the foremost responsibility of any training provider is to thoroughly understand the current challenges faced by industries and tailor their offerings to address and overcome the existing obstacles to growth within client companies. This involves helping organizations assemble a capable team of propelling the business to the next level. Sony is unwavering in his commitment to improving training modules, incorporating role plays and case studies to meet the specific needs of his clients. Over the past six years, all worldsleaders.com | 13

14. his offerings have undergone continuous enhancements. Sony's greatest source of fulfillment arises from the messages and calls he receives from participants who share their accomplishments and successful task completions following his training sessions. These interactions bring him profound joy and satisfaction, motivating him to perpetually refine and improve his training methodologies to remain in sync with the ever-evolving corporate landscape. Transitioning from People-driven to Process- driven In Sony's experience working with small and medium-sized companies, he has noticed a recurring pattern. Many of these companies initially rely heavily on the exceptional efforts of a few individuals. However, as they continue to grow, they eventually reach a point where they realize that their growth is becoming constrained due to their overreliance on these individuals and their limited bandwidth. Typically, once these companies surpass a size of around 200 employees, they begin to appreciate the importance of transitioning from being "people- driven" to becoming "process-driven" organizations. When Sony is in the process of hiring a new team member, he places significant emphasis on three key attributes: Attitude, Aptitude, and Ethics. He assesses these attributes by delving into the candidate's personal experiences in handling challenges, working with people, and resolving problems. These experiences provide valuable insights into the candidate's capabilities and attitude. Unlike skills and knowledge, attitude is a characteristic that is not easily upgraded or changed. pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns prompted a rapid shift to a work-from-home model, particularly within the IT sector. As a consequence, many companies made significant investments in transitioning nearly all of their conventional training programs from in-person to online formats. While this transition has proven to be cost-effective, the overall outcomes have not been as promising. While technical software training programs have been able to replicate the effectiveness of in-person training through the use of technological advancements, soft skills training programs, particularly leadership training, have faced challenges. Leadership programs typically require a Focus on the IT Industry Sony intends to concentrate on the IT industry, given that the majority of my professional career has been within this field. The COVID-19 14 | October 2023

15. facilitator rather than a traditional tutor, with participants learning extensively from each other's experiences. Online training programs struggle to replicate this valuable collaborative learning opportunity. career as a corporate employee. Therefore, he is fully satisfied with his decision to be an entrepreneur. Sony's future plan is to expand his training business outside of his home country. He hopes to see SkillUp Global as a strong global player in the next 5 years. Expanding SkillUp Global as a Strong Global Player Passion for Health and Fitness Leaving his corporate job to pursue his entrepreneurial journey was the greatest risk Sony has taken during his professional life. This journey was not very rewarding financially, but the knowledge and experience he gained was far greater than what he would have gained by continuing his Sony is not only a dedicated professional but also a person with a zest for life. His interests encompass a love for travel and a deep appreciation for the value worldsleaders.com | 15

16. CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAMS • • Business English ✓ Business Vocabulary ✓ Idioms and Phrases ✓ Corporate Etiquettes • Pre -Departure Orientation ✓ About the Country ✓ Cultural Differences ✓ Dos and Don’ts • Customer Service Skills • Personality Development/Soft Skills Campus 2 Corporate (Fresher Training) ✓ Values, Ethics and Professionalism ✓ Communication Skills, Attitude & Productivity ✓ Corporate Etiquettes (Email, Telephone and Chat) ✓ Working in Cross Cultural environments • Leadership Training ✓ Leadership Skills for Senior Leaders ✓ Leader Readiness Program for New Leaders ✓ Project Management ✓ Interviewing Skills (Certification) of good health. Sony considers his health to be his most precious asset and diligently maintains it through a regular fitness regimen and a wholesome, nutritious diet. Demonstrate Next-Level Responsibilities: In the corporate world, promotions often depend on your ability to handle responsibilities beyond your current role. Showcase your capability to excel in the next level of responsibilities. Take Care of Your Team: Recognize that achieving significant goals in a corporate setting requires collaboration and teamwork. Support and nurture your team members to maximize their potential and achieve collective success. Ÿ In his professional life, Sony is characterized by a relentless thirst for knowledge. He is constantly driven by a desire to learn and stays committed to staying informed about the latest developments and breakthroughs in various domains. This dedication to continuous learning and personal growth is a defining trait of his professional journey. Ÿ Leadership Advice Sony advises individuals stepping into a leadership position for the first time to focus on three critical aspects for success: Ÿ Master the Art of Delegation: Learning to delegate effectively not only helps you manage your workload but also nurtures a smarter and more committed team. 16 | October 2023

17. worldsleaders.com | 17

18. 18 | October 2023

19. worldsleaders.com | 19

20. 20 | October 2023

21. worldsleaders.com | 21

22. G in alcohol, other drugs, and mental health. He extends his services to the healthcare, welfare, and social service sectors across the Gold Coast and throughout Australia. eorge Patriki, the Director of Gold Coast Addiction and Treatment Rehab, is renowned for his expertise in providing dual diagnosis training out of the drug culture in 1983 ignited his passion for helping individuals struggling with substance abuse. George boasts an impressive 29-year track record as a counselor, educator, and clinical supervisor, accumulating extensive clinical experience. Since 1992, he has dedicated his life to this noble cause, evolving into a dual diagnosis consultant on the Gold Coast and across Australia. With over seven years of firsthand experience as a former addict and more than a decade spent navigating various treatment and recovery programs to address underlying issues, George possesses a unique perspective. His journey Throughout his career, George has devoted countless hours to assisting thousands of individuals grappling with drug 22 | October 2023

23. Transforming Lives Through Dual Diagnosis Training and Addiction Support Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start? and alcohol issues alongside concurrent mental health challenges. His commitment extends to those facing severe, life-controlling problems stemming from significant trauma. 39 years ago, I started helping people with complex issues, and 29 years ago, I started working full time in this industry. My company was formed through this journey and evolved into what it is today. George's multifaceted role encompasses court advocacy, counseling, outreach efforts, community forums, seminars, and the facilitation of recovery groups for drug users, including those with dual and multiple diagnoses as well as their loved ones. What has made you successful? What do you value? As a testament to his dedication, George has been delivering dual diagnosis training since 2000. Over the past 22 years, he has also served as an educator for both government and non-government organizations in Australia and across 116 countries worldwide through his online platform, Dual Diagnosis Training ( www.dualdiagnosistraining.com.au Over the last 29 years working in substance abuse, addictions, and mental health, I began to observe issues that were not being addressed in a person's treatment strategy and were causing relapses in their recovery. Over the years, I evolved my clinical practice into the Integrative Holistic Framework, which brings together the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social dynamics in a person's life to maximize treatment outcomes. ). Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and George Patriki: Which are the major services of the company and how the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide? Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace. I am passionate about being a light in the community and the world in which I live and doing my part to make it better than I found it. We take a similar approach to treating addictions and mental health that Dr. Daniel Amen uses, i.e., bio-psycho- spiritual-social ( www.amenclinics.com ). Walking this journey of love is how I try to live, both in my workplace and outside. Psychotherapy is complimented by allied health practices such as massage and acupuncture to help calm the limbic system, particularly for people who have significant anxiety worldsleaders.com | 23

24. and PTSD. We also use many modalities according to people's individualized needs, such as EMDR, psycho-education, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, etc. In other words, we offer a smorgasbord of modalities and approaches that are tailored to a person's individual needs. We also encourage people to look at their individual biochemistry with integrative doctors who can address various epigenetic abnormalities that impact their mental health. Common culprits include zinc deficiencies, omega-3 deficiencies, anti-oxidant deficiencies (that cause oxidative stress to both the body and the brain), as well as other key nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamins C and D, probiotics, etc. What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture? These are well presented by Dr Stephen Covey in '7 Habits of Highly Effective People'. I try to live these principles and invite everybody that I work with, including clients, to embrace them too. 24 | October 2023

25. What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company? There are many interventions that can help people suffering from either physiological health problems (e.g., low-density laser, hyperbaric oxygen, etc.) or mental health issues (e.g., neurofeedback, transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.). Accessing these options can help people resolve treatment-resistant issues, and this research has been outlined by Dr. Norman Doidge as well as Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk. We try to include as many innovative and helpful interventions as possible, including EMDR and other treatment approaches. We also support the introduction of neuroelectric therapy in Australia (for non-pharmacological options to detox), as developed by Dr. Patterson. Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes? While individuals inspire and offer leadership by example, any effective organization will work together as a team through a carefully designed mission statement that reflects the principles and values of the company as well as its aims and objectives. What are your responsibilities as the founder and CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine? To lead my company in implementing the Integrated Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment. It always brings me joy to see people's lives changed, knowing that many future generations of this person will also be blessed by these changes. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? Read Dr. Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' and ensure that you are committed to your personal growth, as explained by Dr. Scott Peck in 'The Road Less Traveled and many of his books, as well as Dr. Victor Frankl. worldsleaders.com | 25

28. 28 | October 2023

29. Gurminder Matharu Revolutionizing the Fashion Industry by Creating the Finest Sustainable Products worldsleaders.com | 29

30. (From left to right)Sunil Kumar Pandey,Uma Arora, Gurminder Matharu, Akshi Sood, Shweta Bali Kumar, Vikas Gupta Sustainable fashion is a growing trend in the fashion industry that focuses on creating clothing that has a minimal impact on the environment. This includes using sustainable materials, reducing waste during production, and promoting fair labor practices. The concept of sustainable fashion also emphasizes the longevity of clothing and encourages consumers to invest in high- quality, timeless pieces that can be worn for years to come. By prioritizing sustainability in fashion, we can reduce the negative impact of the industry on the environment and create a more ethical and responsible approach to fashion consumption. to their customers. As the company's ambassador to the world of sourcing, buying, production, and distribution, Gurminder is the driving force behind the success of this sustainable fashion brand. With her force and passion for this business, Gurminder founded Ltdedition with her team to bring the fashion industry the dedication it deserves in creating the best sustainable products. Join us in celebrating this fashion industry insider, Gurminder Matharu, and her commitment to sustainable fashion. Gurminder is a passionate professional who knows how to lead her team in creating high-quality commercial products with a sustainable core. Her ability to maintain long-lasting business relationships with like-minded Meet Gurminder Matharu, a fashion enthusiast with thirty years of experience in the apparel industry. She is leading her team at Ltdedition to bring the best apparel 30 | October 2023

31. manufacturers sets her apart from the rest. Her extensive knowledge of the European fashion industry allows her to think along with the customer and deliver customized services. She offers Ltdedition customers a variety of high-end products that are both fashionable and sustainable. Bangladesh, and China. The team is dedicated to managing the supply chain for a range of fashion needs, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and home furnishings, ensuring that customers receive high-quality products within the shortest possible timeframe. The Company Environmental sustainability is at the core of Ltdedition's mission. Looking towards the future with great aspirations, the company understands the importance of preserving nature, which it sees as being as close to the divine as possible. As a result, Ltdedition vows to continue prioritizing sustainability and ensuring that its customers never feel guilty about the impact of their fashion choices on the planet. In a world where sustainable fashion is becoming increasingly important, Ltdedition is working tirelessly to make this vision a reality. It has partnered with brands and retailers to create shared value through its intuitive approach to sustainability. As a global sourcing forum, Ltdedition works with authentic suppliers who are certified for sustainable products, primarily based in India, (From left to right) Akshi Sood, Gurminder Matharu, Shweta Bali Kumar worldsleaders.com | 31

32. Karan Jain Simplifying Insurance Services by Creating the Easiest Way to Shop for Life Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance “My success and accolades with establishing Star Life Ltd. and the prominent gap in the insurance industry were key motivators for founding Life Simpli.” 32 | October 2023

33. Founder & CEO Life Simpli worldsleaders.com | 33

34. 34 | October 2023

35. in educating people and giving them the tools they need to make educated decisions. He says, "My mantra has always been to convey the pros and cons of each situation or product to the client, give them my advice about what would work in their particular situation, and then provide them with ample time to make a prudent decision." As a result, he gets innumerable calls from clients thanking him for giving them the right guidance and advice. Those appreciation calls tend to be the best part of the day and motivate Karan to continue doing what he does. He asserts, "We have tried to keep the same mantra for Life Simpli as well. For each product we offer, customers can avail free advisor support and get all the information they need without feeling compelled to make a purchase.” Life Simplialso publishes blogs to keep its customers up to date about all matters related to finance and insurance. insurance industry were key motivators for founding Life Simpli.” Filling the Gap The goal of the recently created insurtech platform, Life Simpli is to make it easier for Canadians to obtain life and critical illness insurance. Life Simpli is a user- friendly insurance marketplace that enables people to easily calculate their insurance needs and apply for the appropriate insurance coverage by offering fast, real-time quotations from over 30 top insurance providers in Canada, including Manulife, Sun Life, BMO, Canada Life, and Desjardins, among others. Customers may apply for coverage under some of the products without to undergo a medical checkup. With the quick transition to digital and the growing emphasis on health and wellbeing, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became crucial to provide clients with a straightforward web platform to buy life and critical illness insurance from the comfort of their homes. Thus, the notion of starting Life Simpli was born. The founder and CEO of Life Simpli, Karan Jain, recognized a chance to change the insurance industry and works arduously every day to stay committed to this objective. Before launching Star Life Ltd. and providing financial services to HNIs across the nation, Karan, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) by trade, worked for about 5 years in the financial services industry. During that time, he interacted with several different service providers and discovered firsthand how time- consuming and difficult purchasing insurance is. This inspired him to start Life Simpli. Ontario, Canada has become the company's base, and Karan has been highly embraced there. He says, "My success and accolades with establishing Star Life Ltd. and the prominent gap in the even having As the Founder & CEO at Life Simpli, Karan's focus has been on forming and maintaining relationships with their partners and customers, recruiting the right talent and ofcourse, ensuring that the company's vision is communicated to all its members. Updating with Industry Changes and Advancements When Karan gathers the staff together at the end of the day to discuss consumer feedback, gratitude, and, if any, complaints, it makes him happy. The team benefits from having a better understanding of what they are doing well and where they can improve. One of the earliest online insurance markets in Canada, Life Simpli, offers all website users immediate insurance rates from all the top companies. The quotations are not only available instantly also completely free of cost. In contrast to other service providers, it does not request sign-ups, email addresses, phone numbers, or other information from customers who are only browsing their options , but they are Client satisfaction is another factor that makes Karan extremely happy and inspires him to continue doing what he is doing. He firmly believes . worldsleaders.com | 35

38. Parmi Natesan Parmi Natesan A Leading Corporate Governance Specialist and Renowned Business Leader Parmi Natesan | CEO | IoDSA Parmi Natesan 38 | October 2023

39. According to experience, ethical leadership promotes higher levels of employee satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Even when their actions are not directly visible to their staff, ethical leaders should always act morally and appropriately in all aspects of their lives. Good corporate governance is promoted by the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA), which King IV defines as ethical and efficient leadership. Parmi Natesan, the CEO of IoDSA, finds that this is consistent with who she is as a person and what she stands for. According to her, businesses and the nation will go forward on a positive trajectory under the direction of ethical and effective leadership. worldsleaders.com | 39

40. 40 | October 2023

41. Indulged as CEO South African Qualifications Authority. Better Directors, Better Boards, Better Business is its tagline. hectic life and is constantly being pushed in a variety of directions. She made swift connections to figure out the best course of action. She is Meticulous—For her, quality and attention to detail are non-negotiable. This also means that she holds others to high standards, which motivates them to succeed. She is humble and doesn't consider any task beneath her, so to speak. Parmi Natesan is a certified chartered accountant who holds a BCom (cum laude) and a BCom (honors) degree and is a qualified Chartered Accountant by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. She started working with the IoDSA in 2010 as a Senior Governance Specialist before being appointed to Executive for Governance in 2015 and CEO in 2019. The King Committee for Corporate Governance in South Africa and the many King Reports and Codes are both under the auspices of the IoDSA, which also promotes good corporate governance in South Africa. Walks the Day Defines her Characteristics Parmi is in charge of the business's overall performance. She directs and keeps an eye on strategy implementation and progress. Over the past few years, she has made significant progress with the plan. The company's performance has improved with time, and last year's business success was the best in the company's 60-year history. Her responsibilities also include a sizable portion of stakeholder relations. She is also in charge of reporting, especially the annual integrated report of the company, which she drafts. Parmi Natesan is not only an active housekeeper and mother. In order to give each area of her life attention, she tries to achieve balance in her life. She devotes a lot of time to raising her two teenage children because she believes it is our responsibility as leaders of today to produce better leaders of tomorrow. Parmi is passionate and driven, and she goes above and beyond to accomplish her goals despite being a busy CEO in the fast-paced business world, working as a non-executive director on outside boards, and participating in numerous local and international forums and committees. She prides herself on being well- organized because she has such a Institute of Directors in South Africa The Institute of Directors in South Africa is a nonprofit company that represents directors in South Africa. Its history spans more than 60 years. Although it is primarily a membership organization, it also provides various services pertaining to governance and directorship, such as board and governance training, governance advice services, and board evaluation services. Additionally, it owns and grants the Certified Director and Chartered Director SA director designations, both of which are registered with the I am especially proud that my first two Integrated Reports as CEO have won the Integrated Reporting Awards in the NPO category for 2020 and 2021. worldsleaders.com | 41

42. Y The long-term success of your business may depend on identifying future leaders and giving them the tools, they may need to develop their careers and lead teams to success. In this mentorship and instruction program, Robert Nichols, owner of Union UTA Martial Arts/SAMI Combat Systems of NJ, educates people to be leaders. He thinks that teamwork, public speaking, and educational drills all help to develop future leaders. ou can benefit your organization's future key decision-makers by investing in leadership development. Robert Robert Nichols Transforming Good People Skills into the Capacity to Influencing Others 42 | October 2023

43. a good day.”‘‘ “If I can be honest with myself and I'm able to check these off, then I've had Robert Nichols owner Union UTA Mar?al Arts/ SAMI Combat Systems of NJ worldsleaders.com | 43

44. A Story of Success Robert Nichols likes to consider himself a common person. He is one of those individuals who truly started from scratch and was fortunate enough that his efforts and a little bit of good fortune allowed him to achieve success. He's been running his school and business for more than 20 years. After five years of running it, he bought it. Running a business is different from studying martial arts. He had no formal training at all in managing the firm. But he's always been open to picking things up and adapting. In his opinion, the most significant thing is that he has changed and evolved. He thinks this is the key to longevity in a sector like the martial arts, where tradition is so important that many schools and teachers don't change or adapt. 44 | October 2023

45. UTA Martial Arts/SAMI Combat Systems Of NJ Union UTA Martial Arts was a highly typical TKD school when it first opened its doors in 2001. Robert genuinely thinks they wouldn't be here today if things had continued that way. Evolution is a theory that Mr. Nichols and his team firmly support. Now, they consider themselves to be a modern martial arts program. They are a self- defense and personal development school, not an "MMA" or "sport karate" academy. It's different now than it was even a few years ago, and Robert thinks it will be different in a few years. Evolution is crucial. The only SAMI Combat Systems School in the Western Hemisphere is there as well. SAMICS is a highly renowned martial arts organization in Europe that was established in Vienna, Austria by Peter Weckauf. It is a modular system that covers a range of combat topics, including street self- defense, law enforcement tactics, knife combat, axe combat, and more. Robert keeps a daily task checklist app on his phone. There are things he needs to do to see if he followed a healthy diet that day and if he met his daily step goal. He is reminded to post on social media on particular days. Mr. Nichols believes that the three most important tasks he checks off each day are to create a positive moment with his wife, his child, and did he work to improve his school. leaders at a company increases the likelihood that you will have the best person for each job. Robert believes that creating strong leaders will enable his company to serve more students more effectively. On some days, there are 30 to 40 students in each session on the floor. However, managing the group is simple if they have 10–12 strong, established members of the Leadership Team. It wasn't until much later in life that Robert realized the importance of education. He therefore makes a great effort to continually read, listen to, and take in things that will help. He therefore makes a concerted effort to constantly study, listen to, and watch materials that advance his development. However, he believes that consistently holding himself accountable is the most crucial thing he does. If he isn't continuously holding himself accountable for improvement, he can't expect students to follow his instructions or others to invest their time and money in his program. Wears Many Hats Robert Nichols has multiple hats to wear, just like any other business owner. He can be involved in maintenance, cleaning, sales calls, marketing, or customer service depending on the day. But in his situation, it also entails being a teacher and a motivator. His role as a motivator is the most crucial one. It encourages learners to put forth more effort and accomplish more. Staff members are inspired to work hard and with discipline to teach others. Parents who are monitoring lessons are encouraged to develop confidence and trust that they are allocating their time and resources wisely. Therefore, these chores force him to pause and reflect towards the end of the day when he is at home and sitting down, scrolling through his phone and his tasks for the day. Accountable for Growth Robert believes that training more leaders is always advantageous to companies. He thinks that leaders can take many different shapes and that the qualities of one can counteract the weaknesses of another. Additionally, because different people lead in various ways, having more developed worldsleaders.com | 45