We reconnected a few years ago at a cricket test match at Lords over a glass or two of very good quality wine, having crossed paths at Asda. An accomplished leader, Ade started his career working in his family's shop in Glasgow. As a young man, he learnt the art of buying and selling and listening to customers, and how to actually make money.
If you buy something for X and sell it for Y, the bit in the middle goes in the family pocket. It is something he has carried with him - the simplicity of doing business.
An informal approach in the corporate world has not held him back, his preference for talking to people and cutting through the noise, making the complex simple has stood him in good stead throughout his working life. If you stop and listen to people in your team, you can learn what it is that goes behind the decisions they are making. If you want to win as a team, you have to instil confidence in your team - bring out the best in everyone in that team. Allow people to be themselves first, and for them to realise that it's OK be yourself.
His approach to problem solving relies on a 3-step formula: simple, complex, simple.
Start by asking simple questions, those that you would ask as a child, be inquisitive, get the cut through from people; then put in place a complex set of analysis, pull together data, opinion, hearsay, facts; then spit out a simple answer so people understand what you want them to do in three headlines.
Ade is willing to question the traditions that have gone before and happy to be 'unimpressed by them'. Challenge the norm can lead to greater success and an inspiring approach for your team, who see you are willing to accept new ways of working.
In recent years as he's led large teams across companies like Asda and Accolade Wines, Ade has drawn down on one of the best managers he ever had the pleasure of working with. Allied Domecq's David Scotland, who was on the board and CEO of the wine business.
At his first quarterly review meeting as MD UK Ireland, Ade prepared a big pack of numbers and information. David rocked up to the meeting, and Ade got ready to present his pack. But David stopped him, put the pack to one side and said: "I know all of that, I've seen it, tell me what it is you are going to do to lead and inspire this organisation to better things?"
It made him realise managing people was the most important thing you could do in business.
David added: "You've got to stoke the fire within people - make it a great place to work, deal with their emotions, and encourage them to be the best they can be."
He found that truly inspiring. And has led like that ever since.
I'm happy to say I've witnessed Ade live out those words of David's to the max.
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