In the whirlwind of a globalized market, leadership has undergone a metamorphosis. A series of thoughts and mindful observations throw light on the dynamics of this space. Technological leaps, demographic shifts, and a more socially conscious society have reshaped the very essence of what it means to lead. The modern leader is not just a figurehead but a diligent individual with a diverse skillset. One such inspiring pioneer is Ryan Giles, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leapfrog International. And he is here to take you closer to your dream.
Today, adaptability and agility are no longer mere buzzwords but essential survival tools. Continuous learning drives innovation, and effective communication is the bridge that connects the leader and the follower, fostering trust and collaboration. Embodying such ethos, aptitude, and dexterity, a new breed of leaders has emerged. Ryan is among those select few who can successfully traverse this complexity and lead cross-border teams in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected.
Ryan is not your typical corporate employee confined to a sterile corner office. He shatters that image and demonstrates that leadership in the 21st century extends beyond the bottom line. Embracing sustainability for clients to operate in their community and social responsibility in the African context is a natural flow of action, acknowledging their role in shaping a better future for all.
He’s a visionary man who prospers at the intersection of personal and professional success. For him, success isn’t just about breaking records or chasing the next big deal. It’s a multi-faceted journey encompassing both the growth and prosperity of Leapfrog, as well as his own sense of accomplishment and well-being. This holistic approach to leadership sets Ryan apart, making him a true inspiration for anyone seeking to define success on their own terms.
Join us on this riveting journey as we get to know Ryan Giles better, breaking down the preconceived notions that most of us have about men of his reputation. Following his challenging path, which begins with ambitious personal objectives and culminates with notable career accomplishments, may yield lots of wisdom and motivation.
Tackling Challenges with a Superhero Team
The road to the peak is rarely smooth, filled with switchbacks and unexpected detours. Yet, through these challenges, we forge our resilience and develop the skills necessary to reach new heights. In the same vein, Ryan’s career path has been somewhat eventful. He has faced numerous challenges that have shaped his leadership style. He stresses the importance of recognizing individual strengths within a team: “Everybody has their superpower; leadership is about knowing what yours is and isn’t and developing a team of superheroes.”
This adept professional understands that leading a company can be lonely and challenging, especially when facing significant obstacles. He highlights the necessity of having external, honest perspectives through formal mentors, independent board members, or participation in global organizations like Entrepreneurs Organization. This external feedback helps him see the bigger picture and make informed and better decisions.
Leapfrog International: Pioneers in Strategic Innovation
“We get called when organizations are stuck. When they have a big problem, they’re struggling to solve or a huge opportunity, they just can’t seem to chase down. After they’ve tried and tried and still can’t make it work.
Our goal is to make it happen. We are a group of individuals who thrive on making the impossible, possible. To make a meaningful difference in the world. We believe it’s why we exist, and it’s why we are drawn together. It’s what fuels us. It’s what gets us up in the morning.
Of course, this means we need to be familiar with the leading edge of innovation, strategy, tech, tools, processes, human behavior, and business know-how. But we also see that sometimes it’s better to go old-school and simple, not overcomplicate things. Sometimes making a change to the underlying condition is where the secret lies. At the end of the day, it’s not about the innovation; it’s about the impact it has. In our experience, Africa is less about the latest tech and more about solid execution. There are no silver bullets – it’s hard, it’s complicated, and it’s exciting.
We love data and figuring out what story it tells – an unbiased and true story. And we are good at engaging with people and unearthing the why behind the why and what motivates them. Visualizing a challenge completely with all its complexity and ultimately understanding problems for what they are. With this context, we look at things differently and solve them, often in a way no one has thought of or been able to do.”
The company offers a full spectrum of innovation services, from strategy development and planning to funding. Its ultimate goal is long-term sustainability, helping clients reduce costs and increase revenue smartly for the medium and long term. Unapologetically independent and agnostic, Leapfrog focuses solely on delivering value to its clients without any agenda.
Expertise, Domain knowledge and Growth
They say that behind every great enterprise lies a strong foundation. The same rings true for leadership in the business world. Ryan’s background as an engineer in optimizing supply chains, coupled with an MBA in management, has been instrumental in Leapfrog’s growth. His years of experience have provided the solid base from which he’s propelling the company to the top. His sharp mind for problem-solving and a keen eye for business impact make him a natural at navigating intricate situations. Fueled by an inherent curiosity and unwavering determination, he embraces the complexities and challenges of his role. This unique style has earned him a distinguished position among the “Top 10 Visionary Business Leaders Shaping the Future in 2024” and accentuates his ability to succeed in demanding environments.
Ryan has gained substantial command as a subject matter expert. His keen grasp of industry dynamics translates into a distinct competitive advantage for his company. They understand the developing world markets—the types of challenges, the styles of solutions, and the risks businesses face are quite different and similar. He gives a deeper insight, stating, “Our typical clients are large in terms of their operational size. We tend to be drawn towards big and complex commodities like agriculture, mining, and some others like manufacturing.”
Cultivating Integrity and Innovation
Ryan ensures a culture of integrity and innovation within his team by emphasizing the impact of their work. He believes in the importance of making a significant difference every day and being transparent about their actions and decisions.
“A core value is that we need to understand the impact of what we do in the engagements,” Ryan states. “Every day, we need to be moving the needle and making an impact.”
He views challenges as opportunities in disguise, echoing Winston Churchill’s sentiment of “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
He informs that the company’s products are strategic services such as innovation fractional and consulting roles as well as execution services like project management, process improvement, and change management. They also provide clients with innovative and non-classical financial services, as funds or working capital are often the constraint. These, in combination, are typically the enablers of innovation.
From Humble Beginnings to Leadership
Ryan has maintained his focus on his modest origins, leading impactful projects as a passionate changemaker with a 20-year plus history of accelerating business growth through innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurial thinking. His core strength lies in developing innovative strategies, leading high-performing teams, and achieving ambitious goals.
Follow Ryan’s footsteps, and you will witness the power of his ‘very much dirty boots’ and’ being on the ground at the coal face’ approach. His hands-on experiences and deep understanding of business landscapes, honed from his early experience starting from the ground up in business improvement and financial services, were instrumental in his successful career before joining Leapfrog. “I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people, both as peers and as clients – some very big thinkers and brave people. I am very grateful for them having confidence in me to do what I needed to do.”
Shaping the Future
Looking ahead, this prescient CEO isn’t just focused on maintaining the company’s current success. He’s driven to retain it as have a highly profitable business doing work that he and his team love to solidify Leapfrog’s position as a leader in future-proof innovation. Ryan adds that innovation is a process for them—leveraging the industries and contextual knowledge, blended with their expertise, gives a predictable positive outcome. His core values – collaboration, curiosity, and adaptability – offer valuable lessons for aspiring leaders seeking to cultivate novelty and ignite remarkable team success.
“We believe that we need to walk the entire road with our clients to add value, as it’s only when it’s delivered that the value accrues,” he highlights. This is from developing the strategic elements right through to the execution—not just determining what should be done but rather working with all the challenges and complexity that come with it. Few service providers in this space do it because it’s difficult.
He exemplifies the importance of standing by one’s actions and decisions, offering a powerful role model for aspiring leaders. “We gravitate towards clients who believe in something bigger than superficial gain and who have a strong sense of their impact.” As CEO of Leapfrog, Ryan illustrates the hallmarks of visionary leadership in business through his unique blend of inventiveness, candor, and analytical thinking.
Sharing perceptive advice, Ryan signs off by saying, “I am also a big believer in being biased towards action. Understanding that the real cost is one of inaction. Rather, make a bad decision and adjust quickly, than wait to make the perfect decision that probably never existed anyway.”
