Bossing It: Balancing Flexibility and Firmness with Eddy Rizk
Eddy Rizk is the founder and CEO of BIG KAHUNA FILMS, a creative production house that has a significant presence in the Middle East.
Working with a range of international and regional brands and agencies, the company is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality productions. His extensive experience has positioned him as a leader and an expert in the field, contributing to the growth and development of the production industry in the region.
LBB> What was your first experience of leadership?
Eddy> Leading a team of over 100 employees at a young age has taught me invaluable lessons. One of them being that respect cannot be demanded or taught, it must be earned and that is what has mostly influenced my approach to leadership.
LBB> How did you figure out what kind of leader you wanted to be – or what kind of leader you didn’t want to be?
Eddy> My focus was on achieving specific goals that I had set for myself, but as I advanced in my career, I found that leadership roles seemed to have found me. I've come to understand what kind of leader I am, leading by example, and by demonstrating the work ethics I hope to see in my team.
LBB> What experience or moment gave you your biggest lesson in leadership?
Eddy> A significant leadership lesson for me came early in my career, when I was managing team members much older than myself. Faced with scepticism, I learned the importance of understanding and developing a crucial skill: reading people. It helped me navigate diverse team dynamics.
LBB> Did you know you always wanted to take on a leadership role? If so how did you work towards it and if not, when did you start realising that you had it in you?
Eddy> Leadership as a skill is multifaceted, involving emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and effective communication. Although leadership may have its roots in one's personality, it requires dedicated effort to fully mature. It should be nurtured and developed through experience and learning. The journey from possessing leadership potential to becoming a leader involves learning from both success and failure and adapting to ever-changing circumstances.
LBB> What are the aspects of leadership that you find most personally challenging? And how do you work through them?
Eddy> There are few. Finding the balance between flexibility and firmness. This is crucial in how team members perceive and respond to you. Maintaining confidence, especially in moments of uncertainty. Managing younger generation. Their expectations, work styles, and motivations are different to what we were used to. Even though my leadership style being perceived as autocratic, sometimes, I’m a strong believer that in some instances, you need to push your team’s limits, to understand them better.
LBB> Have you ever felt like you've failed whilst in charge? How did you address the issue and what did you learn from it?
Eddy> Yes, there have been moments when I've questioned my decisions. Even with the best intentions and actions, not everything goes as planned, and sometimes, factors beyond my control lead to undesired outcomes. The key lesson for me has been to focus on what I can control, learn from every situation, and understand that leadership involves navigating both successes and setbacks with resilience.
LBB> In terms of leadership and openness, what’s your approach there? Do you think it’s important to be transparent as possible in the service of being authentic? Or is there a value in being careful and considered?
Eddy> While I value being authentic and believe in the importance of transparency, being too open has backfired before. This is also a reflection of my personal character. I share what's necessary, leaving room for people to draw their own conclusions. I find that maintaining a certain level of ambiguity encourages people to stay curious, proactive, and motivated.
LBB> As you developed your leadership skills did you have a mentor, if so who were/are they and what have you learned? And on the flip side, do you mentor any aspiring leaders and how do you approach that relationship?
Eddy> I haven't had a mentor in the traditional sense. My mentors have been the variety of people I've encountered along my path. From some, I've adopted practices I admired, from others, I learned what not to do. When it comes to mentoring aspiring leaders, my approach mirrors my learning experience and while I can provide guidance, share insights and experiences, true leadership isn't something that can be directly taught. It's a personal journey of growth.
LBB> How important is your company culture to the success of your business? And how have you managed to keep it alive with increases in remote and hybrid working patterns?
Eddy> Company culture, identity and values are fundamental to our success. It is what makes us trustworthy to our clients and partners. I've had reservations about remote work, I believe it dilutes the direct interaction that come from working in the same space. We tend to be more productive through regular in-person engagements and teamwork.
LBB> What are the most useful resources you’ve found to help you along your leadership journey?
Eddy> Creativity. Even in the most corporate environment, without creativity, you can’t get anywhere.
