SIR ALEX FERGUSON

Sir Alex Ferguson



Sir Alex Ferguson

Introduction

-Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe some one who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Many people have had a tremendous impact on him. But the most person Ayed learned from was his father, Ali Al-Tamimi, a man who had become blind late in his life. Ali had a wonderful ability to see a situation from all angles, find his perspective, and work hard toward his goal. He had a great impact on Ayed's leadership style. For Ayed to see a blind man continuing to effectively manage a large company—which he himself had founded more than thirty years before—was quite inspiring. “ I use to go with my father to work and see how he manage the company. He -Ayed's father- always go early. The company was like a “beehive”. The workers were innovative and energetic.” Ayed said.

After Ali Altamimi passed away. His oldest son took over for a short time. Ayed was working with different company that has the same specialty “computer programming”. Ayed visited the family business from time to time to see how is it going with his older brother. “ I could not believe it was the same company that my father established. It was exact the opposite. The efficiency went down. Many workers had resigned. I saw it with my eyes how the organization could be so powerful and active with an active leader and manager, and how it be in deep sleeping with a lazy leader.” Ayed said. He continued,” I do not believe in the 'hero theory' that focuses in one person and give him the credit only in a successful organization. However, you can not deny that a great leader has great impact in followers.” In this point Ayed asked for a meeting with the shareholders and in the meeting they decided to let Ayed take over and manage the company.

-What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

First advice he would give to someone going into a leadership position for the first time is to set his/her priorities. He/She should start by motivating others by respecting them and their opinions. This way you can get the same treatment back and you will get to all the goals you aimed for. If this does not work you should use the second solution that is recompense. Also if the second solution did not work you have to use the third and the last solution, which is retribution. “I do not prefer retribution to reach your goal. Meanwhile, as a leader you do not deserve to be in this position if you hesitate to use retribution as final solution.” Ayed explaned.

-What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Every successful leader should have a least three characteristics. The first one is mentality characteristic, second psychological characteristic, third characteristic ...