www.worldsleaders.com Vol.

10 | Issue 20 | October 2023

World’s Most Managing Director

Influential SkillUp Global

Leaders
Inspiring The
Business World, 2023

A Seasoned IT
Professional and Mentor
in Corporate Training

GEORGE
 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,
dispersed teams, and maintaining a strong focus on Quality
took great pride in the fact that he failed to accomplish this
Adherence. Sony is highly regarded for his acute business
goal when writing his book, Mean Business. Dunlap's harsh
acumen.
methods of enforcing discipline and increasing profits
earned him the moniker "Chainsaw Al.”
One of Sony's true passions lies in training and mentorship.
He is deeply committed to honing the skills and potential of
Influential leaders, on the other hand, inspire others to go
individuals, helping them refine their personality, soft skills,
above and beyond the call of duty by motivating,
communication abilities, interview readiness, and emotional
supporting, and encouraging them. Empathy, emotion, and
intelligence. Through his current venture, SkillUp Global,
empowerment are the foundations of this convincing
Sony offers comprehensive Corporate Training programs
strategy. Prominent executives collaborate with their groups
designed to equip employees with the essential etiquettes and
to clarify the ideal transformation for the company and then
skills required for a thriving corporate career. His dedication
inspire them to bring the change to fruition.
to training and transforming individuals extends to both their
professional and personal lives, with the ultimate goal of
World Leader's latest edition “World's Most Influential
enabling their success.
Leaders Inspiring the Business World, 2023” has featured
influential business leaders who have steady hands-on
Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read
leadership and business processes. The cover features Sony
the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and
George, the Managing Director of SkillUp Global, is a
industry experts.
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 Have a lovely read!
encompassed a wide range of areas, including Business
Development, Client Relationship Management, Profit and
Loss Management (P&L), overseeing geographically
 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

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 08

SONY GEORGE
A Seasoned IT Professional and
Mentor in Corporate Training
18 Lionel Lodge

22 George Patriki

28 Gurminder Matharu

32 Karan Jain

38 Parmi Natesan

42 Robert Nichols
 Sony
George
A Seasoned IT
Professional and Mentor
in Corporate Training

08 | October 2023
worldsleaders.com | 09
10 | October 2023
Sony George regarded for his acute
business acumen.
One of Sony's true passions
lies in training and
the Managing Director of mentorship. He is deeply
SkillUp Global, is a seasoned committed to honing the
professional with a rich skills and potential of
background in IT and a track individuals, helping them
record of over two decades in refine their personality, soft
the industry. In addition to skills, communication
his extensive IT expertise, abilities, interview readiness,
Sony brings three years of and emotional intelligence.
valuable startup experience Through his current venture,
to the table. His professional SkillUp Global, Sony offers
journey has encompassed a comprehensive Corporate
wide range of areas, Training programs designed
including Business to equip employees with the
Development, Client essential etiquettes and skills
Relationship Management, required for a thriving
Profit and Loss Management corporate career. His
(P&L), overseeing dedication to training and
geographically dispersed transforming individuals
teams, and maintaining a extends to both their
strong focus on Quality professional and personal
Adherence. Sony is highly lives, with the ultimate goal
of enabling their success.

worldsleaders.com | 11
 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
 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
With over two decades of IT
potential, and guiding them to leverage their unique skills for
industry experience, Sony ventured
significant career growth.
into entrepreneurship in 2011 and
2012, co-founding two technology
Finest Training Solutions to Industry Challenges
startups: Digital Future of India
Pvt Ltd, which offered a tablet
Sony emphasizes that the foremost responsibility of any training
solution for educational
provider is to thoroughly understand the current challenges faced by
institutions, and Trip2Success, a
industries and tailor their offerings to address and overcome the
platform for competitive exam
existing obstacles to growth within client companies. This involves
study materials and testing.
helping organizations assemble a capable team of propelling the
Following these ventures, he
business to the next level. Sony is unwavering in his commitment to
worked as a freelance Business
improving training modules, incorporating role plays and case studies
Consultant for various companies,
to meet the specific needs of his clients. Over the past six years, all
mainly startups. In 2018, Sony

worldsleaders.com | 13
 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
pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns prompted a
assesses these attributes by delving into the
rapid shift to a work-from-home model, particularly
candidate's personal experiences in handling
within the IT sector. As a consequence, many
challenges, working with people, and resolving
companies made significant investments in
problems. These experiences provide valuable
transitioning nearly all of their conventional training
insights into the candidate's capabilities and
programs from in-person to online formats.
attitude. Unlike skills and knowledge, attitude is a
characteristic that is not easily upgraded or
While this transition has proven to be cost-effective,
changed.
the overall outcomes have not been as promising.
While technical software training programs have
Focus on the IT Industry
been able to replicate the effectiveness of in-person
training through the use of technological
Sony intends to concentrate on the IT industry,
advancements, soft skills training programs,
given that the majority of my professional career
particularly leadership training, have faced
has been within this field. The COVID-19
challenges. Leadership programs typically require a

14 | October 2023
facilitator rather than a traditional tutor, with career as a corporate employee. Therefore, he is
participants learning extensively from each other's fully satisfied with his decision to be an
experiences. Online training programs struggle to entrepreneur.
replicate this valuable collaborative learning
opportunity. Sony's future plan is to expand his training business
outside of his home country. He hopes to see
Expanding SkillUp Global as a Strong Global SkillUp Global as a strong global player in the next
Player 5 years.

Leaving his corporate job to pursue his Passion for Health and Fitness
entrepreneurial journey was the greatest risk Sony
has taken during his professional life. This journey Sony is not only a dedicated professional but also a
was not very rewarding financially, but the person with a zest for life. His interests encompass a
knowledge and experience he gained was far greater love for travel and a deep appreciation for the value
than what he would have gained by continuing his

worldsleaders.com | 15
 CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAMS
• Campus 2 Corporate (Fresher Training) • Business English
✓ Values, Ethics and Professionalism ✓ Business Vocabulary
✓ Communication Skills, Attitude & Productivity ✓ Idioms and Phrases
✓ Corporate Etiquettes (Email, Telephone and Chat) ✓ Corporate Etiquettes
✓ Working in Cross Cultural environments • Pre -Departure Orientation
• Leadership Training ✓ About the Country
✓ Leadership Skills for Senior Leaders ✓ Cultural Differences
✓ Leader Readiness Program for New Leaders ✓ Dos and Don’ts
✓ Project Management • Customer Service Skills
✓ Interviewing Skills (Certification)
• Personality Development/Soft Skills

of good health. Sony considers his health to be his Ÿ Demonstrate Next-Level Responsibilities: In the
most precious asset and diligently maintains it corporate world, promotions often depend on
through a regular fitness regimen and a wholesome, your ability to handle responsibilities beyond
nutritious diet. your current role. Showcase your capability to
excel in the next level of responsibilities.
In his professional life, Sony is characterized by a Ÿ Take Care of Your Team: Recognize that
relentless thirst for knowledge. He is constantly achieving significant goals in a corporate setting
driven by a desire to learn and stays committed to requires collaboration and teamwork. Support
staying informed about the latest developments and and nurture your team members to maximize
breakthroughs in various domains. This dedication their potential and achieve collective success.
to continuous learning and personal growth is a
defining trait of his professional journey.

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
worldsleaders.com | 17
18 | October 2023
worldsleaders.com | 19
20 | October 2023
worldsleaders.com | 21
G
eorge Patriki, the Director of Gold Coast out of the drug culture in 1983 ignited his passion for
Addiction and Treatment Rehab, is renowned for helping individuals struggling with substance abuse.
his expertise in providing dual diagnosis training
in alcohol, other drugs, and mental health. He extends his George boasts an impressive 29-year track record as a
services to the healthcare, welfare, and social service counselor, educator, and clinical supervisor, accumulating
sectors across the Gold Coast and throughout Australia. extensive clinical experience. Since 1992, he has dedicated
his life to this noble cause, evolving into a dual diagnosis
With over seven years of firsthand experience as a former consultant on the Gold Coast and across Australia.
addict and more than a decade spent navigating various
treatment and recovery programs to address underlying Throughout his career, George has devoted countless hours
issues, George possesses a unique perspective. His journey to assisting thousands of individuals grappling with drug

22 | October 2023
 Transforming Lives Through Dual Diagnosis Training and Addiction Support

and alcohol issues alongside concurrent mental health Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it
challenges. His commitment extends to those facing severe, all start?
life-controlling problems stemming from significant trauma.
39 years ago, I started helping people with complex issues,
George's multifaceted role encompasses court advocacy, and 29 years ago, I started working full time in this
counseling, outreach efforts, community forums, seminars, industry. My company was formed through this journey and
and the facilitation of recovery groups for drug users, evolved into what it is today.
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 Over the last 29 years working in substance abuse,
delivering dual diagnosis training since 2000. Over the past addictions, and mental health, I began to observe issues that
22 years, he has also served as an educator for both were not being addressed in a person's treatment strategy
government and non-government organizations in Australia and were causing relapses in their recovery.
and across 116 countries worldwide through his online
platform, Dual Diagnosis Training Over the years, I evolved my clinical practice into the
(www.dualdiagnosistraining.com.au). Integrative Holistic Framework, which brings together the
biological, psychological, spiritual, and social dynamics in
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between a person's life to maximize treatment outcomes.
World's Leaders and George Patriki:
Which are the major services of the company and how
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the company to get ahead in the competition? What
the workplace. value-added services does the company provide?

I am passionate about being a light in the community and We take a similar approach to treating addictions and
the world in which I live and doing my part to make it mental health that Dr. Daniel Amen uses, i.e., bio-psycho-
better than I found it. spiritual-social (www.amenclinics.com).

Walking this journey of love is how I try to live, both in my Psychotherapy is complimented by allied health practices
workplace and outside. such as massage and acupuncture to help calm the limbic
system, particularly for people who have significant anxiety

worldsleaders.com | 23
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
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 | October 2023
Gurminder
Matharu
Revolutionizing the Fashion Industry by
Creating the Finest Sustainable Products

worldsleaders.com | 29
 (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 to their customers. As the company's ambassador to the
industry that focuses on creating clothing that has a world of sourcing, buying, production, and distribution,
minimal impact on the environment. This includes using Gurminder is the driving force behind the success of this
sustainable materials, reducing waste during production, sustainable fashion brand.
and promoting fair labor practices. The concept of
sustainable fashion also emphasizes the longevity of With her force and passion for this business, Gurminder
clothing and encourages consumers to invest in high- founded Ltdedition with her team to bring the fashion
quality, timeless pieces that can be worn for years to industry the dedication it deserves in creating the best
come. By prioritizing sustainability in fashion, we can sustainable products. Join us in celebrating this fashion
reduce the negative impact of the industry on the industry insider, Gurminder Matharu, and her
environment and create a more ethical and responsible commitment to sustainable fashion.
approach to fashion consumption.
Gurminder is a passionate professional who knows how
Meet Gurminder Matharu, a fashion enthusiast with to lead her team in creating high-quality commercial
thirty years of experience in the apparel industry. She is products with a sustainable core. Her ability to maintain
leading her team at Ltdedition to bring the best apparel long-lasting business relationships with like-minded

30 | October 2023
manufacturers sets her apart from the rest. Her Bangladesh, and China. The team is dedicated to
extensive knowledge of the European fashion managing the supply chain for a range of fashion
industry allows her to think along with the needs, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and
customer and deliver customized services. She home furnishings, ensuring that customers receive
offers Ltdedition customers a variety of high-end high-quality products within the shortest possible
products that are both fashionable and sustainable. timeframe.

The Company Environmental sustainability is at the core of

Ltdedition's mission. Looking towards the future
In a world where sustainable fashion is becoming with great aspirations, the company understands
increasingly important, Ltdedition is working the importance of preserving nature, which it sees
tirelessly to make this vision a reality. It has as being as close to the divine as possible. As a
partnered with brands and retailers to create result, Ltdedition vows to continue prioritizing
shared value through its intuitive approach to sustainability and ensuring that its customers
sustainability. never feel guilty about the impact of their fashion
choices on the planet.
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
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
Founder & CEO
Life Simpli

worldsleaders.com | 33
34 | October 2023
 insurance industry were key in educating people and giving them
motivators for founding Life Simpli.” the tools they need to make educated
decisions. He says, "My mantra has
Filling the Gap always been to convey the pros and
cons of each situation or product to
The goal of the recently created the client, give them my advice about
insurtech platform, Life Simpli is to what would work in their particular
make it easier for Canadians to situation, and then provide them with
obtain life and critical illness ample time to make a prudent
insurance. Life Simpli is a user- decision." As a result, he gets
friendly insurance marketplace that innumerable calls from clients
enables people to easily calculate thanking him for giving them the
their insurance needs and apply for right guidance and advice. Those
With the quick transition to digital the appropriate insurance coverage appreciation calls tend to be the best
and the growing emphasis on health by offering fast, real-time quotations part of the day and motivate Karan to
and wellbeing, particularly during the from over 30 top insurance providers continue doing what he does. He
COVID-19 pandemic, it became in Canada, including Manulife, Sun asserts, "We have tried to keep the
crucial to provide clients with a Life, BMO, Canada Life, and same mantra for Life Simpli as well.
straightforward web platform to buy Desjardins, among others. Customers For each product we offer, customers
life and critical illness insurance may apply for coverage under some can avail free advisor support and
from the comfort of their homes. of the products without even having get all the information they need
Thus, the notion of starting Life to undergo a medical checkup. without feeling compelled to make a
Simpli was born. The founder and purchase.”
CEO of Life Simpli, Karan Jain, As the Founder & CEO at Life
recognized a chance to change the Simpli, Karan's focus has been on Life Simpli also publishes blogs to
insurance industry and works forming and maintaining keep its customers up to date about
arduously every day to stay relationships with their partners and all matters related to finance and
committed to this objective. customers, recruiting the right talent insurance.
Before launching Star Life Ltd. and and ofcourse, ensuring that the
providing financial services to HNIs company's vision is communicated to Updating with Industry Changes
across the nation, Karan, a Chartered all its members. and Advancements
Financial Analyst (CFA) by trade,
worked for about 5 years in the When Karan gathers the staff One of the earliest online insurance
financial services industry. During together at the end of the day to markets in Canada, Life Simpli,
that time, he interacted with several discuss consumer feedback, offers all website users immediate
different service providers and gratitude, and, if any, complaints, it insurance rates from all the top
discovered firsthand how time- makes him happy. The team benefits companies. The quotations are not
consuming and difficult purchasing from having a better understanding only available instantly, but they are
insurance is. This inspired him to of what they are doing well and also completely free of cost. In
start Life Simpli. Ontario, Canada where they can improve. contrast to other service providers, it
has become the company's base, and does not request sign-ups, email
Karan has been highly embraced Client satisfaction is another factor addresses, phone numbers, or other
there. He says, "My success and that makes Karan extremely happy information from customers who are
accolades with establishing Star Life and inspires him to continue doing only browsing their options.
Ltd. and the prominent gap in the what he is doing. He firmly believes

worldsleaders.com | 35
 Parmi
Natesan
A Leading Corporate Governance Specialist
and Renowned Business Leader
Parmi Natesan | CEO | IoDSA

38 | October 2023
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 | October 2023
Indulged as CEO South African Qualifications hectic life and is constantly being
Authority. Better Directors, Better pushed in a variety of directions. She
Parmi Natesan is a certified chartered Boards, Better Business is its tagline. made swift connections to figure out
accountant who holds a BCom (cum the best course of action. She is
laude) and a BCom (honors) degree The King Committee for Corporate Meticulous—For her, quality and
and is a qualified Chartered Governance in South Africa and the attention to detail are non-negotiable.
Accountant by the South African many King Reports and Codes are This also means that she holds others
Institute of Chartered Accountants. both under the auspices of the to high standards, which motivates
She started working with the IoDSA IoDSA, which also promotes good them to succeed. She is humble and
in 2010 as a Senior Governance corporate governance in South doesn't consider any task beneath her,
Specialist before being appointed to Africa. so to speak.
Executive for Governance in 2015
and CEO in 2019. Defines her Characteristics Walks the Day

Parmi is in charge of the business's Parmi is passionate and driven, and Parmi Natesan is not only an active
overall performance. She directs and she goes above and beyond to housekeeper and mother. In order to
keeps an eye on strategy accomplish her goals despite being a give each area of her life attention,
implementation and progress. Over busy CEO in the fast-paced business she tries to achieve balance in her
the past few years, she has made world, working as a non-executive life. She devotes a lot of time to
significant progress with the plan. director on outside boards, and raising her two teenage children
The company's performance has participating in numerous local and because she believes it is our
improved with time, and last year's international forums and committees. responsibility as leaders of today to
business success was the best in the She prides herself on being well- produce better leaders of tomorrow.
company's 60-year history. Her organized because she has such a
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.

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. I am especially proud that
Although it is primarily a
membership organization, it also my first two Integrated
provides various services pertaining
to governance and directorship, such Reports as CEO have won
as board and governance training,
governance advice services, and
the Integrated Reporting
board evaluation services.
Additionally, it owns and grants the
Awards in the NPO
Certified Director and Chartered category for 2020 and 2021.
Director SA director designations,
both of which are registered with the

worldsleaders.com | 41
 Y
ou can benefit your organization's
future key decision-makers by
investing in leadership development.
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.

Robert
Nichols
Transforming Good People Skills into the Capacity
to Influencing Others

42 | October 2023
 ‘‘ “If I can be
honest with
myself and I'm
able to check
these off,
then I've had
a good day.”

Robert Nichols
owner
Union UTA Mar al Arts/
SAMI Combat Systems of NJ

worldsleaders.com | 43
 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
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 Robert keeps a daily task checklist app leaders at a company increases the
Europe that was established in Vienna, on his phone. There are things he needs likelihood that you will have the best
Austria by Peter Weckauf. It is a to do to see if he followed a healthy person for each job.
modular system that covers a range of diet that day and if he met his daily
combat topics, including street self- step goal. He is reminded to post on Robert believes that creating strong
defense, law enforcement tactics, knife social media on particular days. Mr. leaders will enable his company to
combat, axe combat, and more. Nichols believes that the three most serve more students more effectively.
important tasks he checks off each day On some days, there are 30 to 40
Wears Many Hats are to create a positive moment with students in each session on the floor.
his wife, his child, and did he work to However, managing the group is
Robert Nichols has multiple hats to improve his school. simple if they have 10–12 strong,
wear, just like any other business established members of the Leadership
owner. He can be involved in Therefore, these chores force him to Team. It wasn't until much later in life
maintenance, cleaning, sales calls, pause and reflect towards the end of that Robert realized the importance of
marketing, or customer service the day when he is at home and sitting education. He therefore makes a great
depending on the day. But in his down, scrolling through his phone and effort to continually read, listen to, and
situation, it also entails being a teacher his tasks for the day. take in things that will help. He
and a motivator. His role as a motivator therefore makes a concerted effort to
is the most crucial one. It encourages Accountable for Growth constantly study, listen to, and watch
learners to put forth more effort and materials that advance his
accomplish more. Staff members are Robert believes that training more development. However, he believes
inspired to work hard and with leaders is always advantageous to that consistently holding himself
discipline to teach others. Parents who companies. He thinks that leaders can accountable is the most crucial thing he
are monitoring lessons are encouraged take many different shapes and that the does. If he isn't continuously holding
to develop confidence and trust that qualities of one can counteract the himself accountable for improvement,
they are allocating their time and weaknesses of another. Additionally, he can't expect students to follow his
resources wisely. because different people lead in instructions or others to invest their
various ways, having more developed time and money in his program.

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