Coming from an engineering background I see myself as a practical problem-solver by nature. This has served me well in numerous different environments where I have been presented with dynamic and volatile situations that required a critical analysis of processes and systems to increase throughput. A decade’s worth of experience on various levels of management have nourished in me a passion for analysing and improving internal systems. I have often found these processes to contain a great deal of waste which, through creative thinking and a lateral approach, can be exploited without difficulty. I have adopted a situational management style which adapts to the environment I find myself in. Overall, I would describe myself as more of a democratic and paternalistic leader. I attempt to be part of the team I am responsible for, rather than managing in an autocratic way from a distance.I am confident in my ability to acquire new skills and in managing teams of varying sizes and skill-levels. Since 2013 I have made a successful transition from leading a small team of 13 highly skilled electronic developers, working in a project environment, to managing a factory of 40+ low- to mid-level-skilled textile workers in a manual production environment. Thereafter into a high-mix-low-volume production environment and most recently I was appointed as head of department overseeing a team of 8 mechanical draughtsmen and electronic engineers. I find these changes highly exciting as it presents me with a variety of new challenges and opportunities for personal growth. My involvement in a couple of non-profit organizations which focus on the development of the youth and my contract work at UNISA enables me to make a small investment in the skills and careers of future engineers. Since I remain passionate about electronic designs and software development (I am proficient in most common programming languages), I continue to pursue these activities as a personal hobby.