Vice President, Internet & PC Software Development
Who in your family had the most impact on your success? My father had the most influence on my success. When I was growing up in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, I would work with my father in our family-owned grocery store. He taught me how to run a business, about finances and most of all, the importance of hard work in achieving professional goals. His confidence in me, and the respect that I earned from the elders in the village by working in the store, helped shaped my view of the world. My father has truly been a driving force in my life and has always been there for me.
What is your definition of leadership? A leader is someone who inspires others and gains a following. He or she is secure enough to empower employees with autonomy and personal responsibility. In addition, a leader isn’t afraid to fail and learn from mistakes. The best leaders use these experiences to improve and enhance their leadership capabilities.
What is your most rewarding career accomplishment? When I came to Pitney Bowes, which was a traditional hardware company, my job was to drive software development. I put a department together, which previously consisted of disparate groups, and I provided leadership that empowered managers to do their job. At the same time, I had to communicate to senior management about the new capabilities and assets that these software solutions and opportunities provided the company. Although challenging, this experience was really rewarding for me.
Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut
Web site: www.pb.com
Primary Business: Mailstream technology
Employees: 35,000
What advice can you provide for young leaders? Follow the path less traveled. You will emerge as a prolific leader with a variety of skills and experiences upon which to draw if you take risks. Don’t be afraid of failure; learning from your mistakes helps you develop stronger leadership capabilities. Be disciplined in your preparation, stay abreast of what is happening in your industry, and be prepared for the next challenge.
What was the defining moment in your life in which you understood your leadership? A defining moment in my life was leading a team to build a new mobile workforce solution. It came at a time when the company I worked for was under immense pressure to perform and resolve its service assurance issues. As the leader, I empowered the team, and challenged them to outperform and excel in their areas of expertise. The program was very successful and we all grew from this experience.
