Leadership Journeys [162] - Gille Sebrechts - "Time is the most valuable resource. You can spend it once and then it's gone."

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Embark on an inspiring journey with Gilles Sebrechts, the dynamic CEO of ProTime, as he shares his remarkable rise from mechanical engineer to leading a cutting-edge workforce management company.

In this insightful interview, Gilles reveals the crucial moments that shaped his transition, offering valuable lessons for young leaders.

Discover ProTime's bold vision to double its turnover and impact 2 million lives through optimized time management.

Gilles candidly discusses the challenges of fast growth, providing practical insights for leaders navigating similar paths.

Join us for a conversation that goes beyond numbers, diving into the essence of leadership, growth hurdles, and the timeless quest for balance.

You can find Gille Sebrechts at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gille-sebrechts-7b048b62/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/protime/

In the interview, Gille Sebrechts shares

• "I'm Gilles Sebrechts, CEO of ProTime, a workforce management company based in Belgium, specializing in time management solutions."
• "At 30, I might be considered young for a CEO, but my journey from engineer to CEO unfolded organically."
• "My background is in mechanical engineering, but a switch to traffic and logistics engineering set the stage for my transition into leadership roles."
• "The pivotal moment came when I joined SD Works, and after reflection, I embraced the growth journey, eventually becoming their director of transformation."
• "ProTime's big vision is to double our turnover in the next three to four years and reach 200 million euros by 2028, optimizing businesses through effective time management."
• "Time is the most valuable resource. Our goal is to have 2 million people using our solutions to optimize their time within the next five to six years."
• "The challenge of fast growth is ensuring we don't just run faster but also work differently, thinking strategically to sustain the marathon, not just the sprint."
• "As a young CEO, my initial challenge was finding my leadership role—balancing giving freedom while providing guidance. Now, the challenge is coping with rapid growth."
• "Leadership isn't a yes-or-no playbook. It's a constant learning journey. Confidence and asking for help are crucial in navigating the challenges."
• "For aspiring leaders, my advice is simple: Say yes to challenges, tackle them with passion, be confident, and don't hesitate to seek help when needed. Leadership is a continuous learning journey."