In this week's episode of the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th we catch up with, Steve Dib Managing Director of Soneta Plumbing and Civil, a family-owned business that has been operating for over 40 years. Steve shares with us the insights of leading by example to build an exemplary high performing culture and provides the practical lessons learnt in the evolution of his leadership skills.

We all know that moving into a family business does not provide favours. Steve's journey was no different, being destined to move into the family business, finding the passion for the plumbing trade, completing qualifications and starting at the bottom on the tools under the strict guidance of his passionate father.

The transitioning off the tools and moving into the leadership role became one of the hardest challenges. Learning new skills from hiring the team, understanding the different mindsets within the group, being across the end-to-end operations, ensuring the quality and high standards of delivery remain while also trying to transform the business to take on increasing complex capital projects.

Steve learnt alot in navigating the complexities of leading the organisation, pushing himself out of his comfort zone he reflects on proven elements on his success that includes :

• Know your numbers - the numbers are telling you what is happening in your business and how you and the team can respond, change and celebrate success
• Hire for mindset - using a standard framework, Steve assesses for positive mindset over skills, it is the foundation in which the skills can be developed, 
• Create clarity - ensure your team have clear roles, know what they are responsible for and hold them accountable - find ways for the team to share what they are doing so you are across the quality, with the processes in place you can step away and focus on being the coach, not the player
• Seek a Coach - as a leader you need to be challenged and continuously evolving your skills to adapt to the changing environments. As a leader you are your own challenge, so you need to focus on how you are impacting others and how to remain effective

To Steve, golf provides alot of lessons for business leaders - he notes that every hurdle is a solution, your mistakes are opportunities to grow, you need to keep focused and not dwell on the tough moments but move forward actively, challenging yourself

A great listen for all leaders who can reflect on their own moments of being challenged and like Steve, have learnt that if you concentrate on your people your business will be unstoppable.