In the Executive Chair this month, Leslie Brett, chief executive of Lennox, a scientific and laboratory supplies company

Where did it all begin?

My career began as a research assistant with Flemming GmbH. I soon realised that lab work wasn’t the right fit for me and made the move into sales.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve held a variety of roles, from nutrition specialist to bioscience business unit director.

What was your earliest ambition?

To work in an office as a receptionist. I love interacting with people.

Were you a good student?

When I graduated from NUI Galway, I was initially disappointed with my results. However, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself and move forward.

What’s your motto for life?

Push boundaries with passion, embrace change with purpose and never stop moving forward.

What was the best piece of business advice you ever received?

It was from four-star general Stanley McChrystal, former commander of the ISAF security mission in Afghanistan.

He said: “If, when you get on the ground, the order we gave you is wrong, execute the order we should’ve given you.”

What’s the most difficult thing about running a business?

Maintaining high levels of performance. It requires ongoing focus, adaptability and strong leadership to ensure the business continues to meet expectations — both internally and externally — while also navigating change and seizing new opportunities.

Which businesspeople inspire you?

Alton Shader, now chief executive at Viant Medical, was an incredibly important mentor in my career.

He helped me map out my professional path with clarity and confidence.

Alton is a true businessman — highly strategic in his thinking — but what stood out most was his deep understanding of people.

Your favourite piece of clothing?

My runners. I take my dog, Naxos, for a walk every morning at 5.30am.

Naxos is named after the beautiful island in Greece, my favourite holiday destination.

It’s a daily ritual that sets me up for the day, clears my mind and gives me a moment of calm before everything kicks off.

Which five famous guests would have at your dinner party?

Frankie Byrne, Dermot Morgan, Mary Lavin, Shane Lowry and Richard Harris.

What are your best and worst business habits?

One of my strongest habits is my ability to make decisions quickly and confidently. A habit I’m always working on is refining my focus on the finer details.

What car do you drive?

BMW X5 Hybrid.

What Irish business do you wish you had invested in 10 years ago?

Ryanair.

Your home is burning down — what item would you rescue before fleeing the building? Some of my mother’s art. She was a talented oil and watercolour artist.

Her work always inspires me and I cherish it.

What do you wish you’d known at an earlier point in your career?

Steady wins the race. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush, but taking a measured, consistent approach often leads to more sustainable success in the long run.

What’s your favourite day of the week and why?

Tuesday. It’s one of the days when everyone is in our office in Dublin.

Our people are central to what we do, and I always make a point of walking the floor and meeting everyone.

I keep an open-door policy.

If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

Let’s Face the Music and Dance by Irving Berlin.