Asif Sheikh grew up in Chicago, where he learned early the value of hard work and consistency. He often says that showing up every day, even when no one is watching, shaped the way he approaches life. Those lessons stayed with him as he began his career and started taking on roles that demanded patience, communication, and problem-solving.
In the early years, Asif learned to listen before acting. He discovered that understanding people’s needs made solutions clearer and teamwork stronger. “Listening saves time,” he says. “It also builds trust.” That approach guided him as he moved into more responsibility and began supporting larger teams and projects.
Asif continued to strengthen his skills through programs with Harvard Online and eCornell. He saw learning as a way to better support those around him. Over time, he became known for his calm leadership and his ability to simplify complex challenges. He focused on removing obstacles so teams could do their best work.
Throughout his career, Asif has centered his work on communication, clarity, and long-term relationships. He believes strong partnerships are built through trust and steady guidance. “People do their best when expectations are clear,” he says. “Clarity creates confidence.”
Today, Asif is recognized for his steady leadership and his thoughtful approach to growth. He continues to rely on the same values he learned as a kid in Chicago—show up, support others, and stay consistent. His story shows how simple habits, practiced over time, can shape a life and career with lasting impact.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I like to wake up before the rest of the world feels loud. I brew coffee, check my schedule, and write down the three things I need to get done that day. Not ten. Not a whole list. Just three. Keeping it simple helps me stay disciplined. I learned early in my career that busy doesn’t always mean productive.
Once I’m in work mode, I focus on communication. I check in with the people I’m working with, make sure expectations are clear, and look for any obstacles that might slow the team down. A productive day for me is one where the team feels supported and the path forward is easy to follow.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by listening. Most ideas reveal themselves after a good conversation. I’ve learned that if you take the time to fully understand the challenge, the solution shows up more naturally. From there, I break the idea into small, clear steps. Clarity is what moves things forward. Without it, even the best idea stalls.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about the shift toward simpler communication tools at work. The workplace used to reward complicated systems. Now we’re seeing a trend toward clarity—shorter emails, cleaner workflows, and tools that help teams connect instead of overwhelm them.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Every day, I write down the expectations for any project I’m involved in. Clear expectations turn confusion into momentum. It’s the quiet habit that has saved me countless hours.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself not to rush experience. When I was younger, I wanted to jump steps. But the steps are what teach you how to lead. You can’t shortcut listening, patience, or consistency. Those lessons take time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe most meetings can be reduced to 15 minutes. People push back on that, but I’ve found that when everyone comes prepared and knows the goal, conversations move fast.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Check in with people before the pressure hits. A five-minute conversation at the start of a project saves hours later. It also builds trust in a way nothing else does.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a short walk without my phone. Movement clears the noise. It brings me back to a place where decisions feel simpler.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Removing obstacles for others. When someone on the team is stuck, I make it my job to help them get unstuck. It builds strong relationships and keeps projects flowing. Over time, people trust you because they know you’re reliable during tough moments.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I once assumed a client understood the timeline without confirming it. They didn’t, and the project fell behind. I owned the mistake, fixed the issue, and learned the value of confirming expectations out loud. It taught me that clarity is not optional—it’s the backbone of successful work.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Someone should build a tool that visually maps out project expectations in real time. Not a complex software suite. Just a simple, drag-and-drop dashboard that updates instantly when people make changes.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Microsoft OneNote every day. I organize ideas, track conversations, and store quick notes from check-ins. It keeps scattered thoughts in one place.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’ve always gone back to Atomic Habits. Not for productivity hacks, but because it reminds me that small steps compound over time. My whole career reflects that idea.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed The Bear. It’s stressful at times, but it shows how communication—good or bad—shapes everything inside a fast-moving workplace.
Key learnings
- Clear expectations turn confusion into progress and strengthen trust
- Consistency and small daily habits compound into long-term growth
- Removing obstacles for others is a powerful way to build influence