A business leader’s life is flooded with challenges. On the one hand, you have to develop a product that appeals to customers and addresses their needs. Also, you need to build a robust sales funnel to attract, nurture, and convert prospects into loyal customers.
On the other hand, you must build a team that shares your vision of building a successful business. And you have to keep your team motivated through every ebb and flow.
The Reality of Business Leadership
While running a company is difficult, the last couple of years has been particularly challenging for business leaders. A ravaging pandemic, supply chain disruptions, changing consumer preferences, and now a looming recession – it’s easy to give up hopes of growing your business amidst such constraints.
But the best business leaders don’t give up in adversity. Instead, they seek inspiration from others who’ve overcome life’s challenges and pivoted their business.
As a business owner, you’ll have no shortage of role models. But if you’re looking for some motivation to tackle every obstacle head-on, the story of Refael (aka Rafi Edry) will resonate with you.
A renowned businessman from Israel, Refael Edry is the nephew of a fearless Israeli war hero whose name he shares. Refael Edry z|l (the uncle) bravely fought for his country’s independence and was martyred at 24. But chronicles of his bravery have been passed down from generation to generation in his hometown, Safed.
Refael Edry (the nephew), who was also born and brought up in Safed, grew up listening to stories about his uncle. He continues to imbibe his uncle’s fighting spirit in all his endeavors, whether running a company or raising funds for underprivileged children.
Here are a few crucial lessons from the journey of Refael Edry that’ll come in handy for every business leader.
The Power of Empathy
Besides running successful companies in Africa and Israel, Refael Edry founded the Ahinoam Association for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities. Named after his father, the non-profit organization is a testament to the empathy Refael Edry has for Israel’s underprivileged children.
Refael Edry had barely stepped into adulthood when he had to start working to support his family. His father’s modest earnings as a building contractor weren’t adequate. His first-hand experience with economic hardships helps Refael Edry understand the plight of children in Israel’s periphery.
The concept of Living on the country’s fringes, survival is a daily battle for these children. They usually have to give up on their dreams of pursuing higher education and getting respectable jobs due to a lack of opportunities and resources.
But should these children suffer because of their circumstances? The question motivates Refael Edry to run various welfare initiatives through the Ahinoam Association. From mentoring at-risk youth to providing financial aid, the organization has launched multiple programs to help children in Israel’s periphery build better futures.
It’s the kind of empathy that every business leader should aspire to develop. Empathizing your potential and existing customers is crucial for building profitable products and marketing strategies. Otherwise, even the best marketing campaigns will fail to resonate with the target audience.
Similarly, it’s crucial to have empathy for your employees. Avoid treating them as a means to an end. Instead, please give them the respect and dignity they deserve as an integral part of your organization. Communicate with them to understand their aspirations and struggles better. Also, please give them plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and advance their careers.
Choose Your Collaborators Wisely
Refael Edry had been yearning to work for the upliftment of Israel’s underprivileged children and youngsters for years. But he knew he couldn’t do it alone if he wanted to create a lasting impact.
That’s why philanthropist Refael Edry collaborated with his younger brothers, Eyal Edry and Moshe Edree, to start the Ahinoam Association. The three brothers continue to work together to nurture and support at-risk individuals from the Israeli periphery.
As a business leader, you’ll often feel tempted to become a one-person army. From product development and sales to recruitment and employee engagement, who’d understand every aspect of your company better than you?
But if you take up more responsibilities than you can handle, it’s easy to experience burnout and lose sight of things. That emphasizes the importance of finding strategic collaborators who will help you accomplish your goals.
Build a team of devoted professionals, and learn to delegate tasks to the right people. It’ll give you more time to focus on what you set out to, i.e., build a business that improves consumers’ lives and stands the test of time.
Final Thoughts
Through his entrepreneurial prowess and social endeavors, Refael Edry has demonstrated various attributes a business leader needs to overcome challenges. Start by being more empathetic to the people around you, be it your employees or customers. And make sure you choose driven and dynamic collaborators who’ll help you take your business to the next level.
