To develop great employees, make sure they feel valued
As a leader, I ground my approach in discipline, integrity, and a commitment to others. These principles have guided me throughout my career and continue to shape how I work alongside my colleagues at HARMAN. After all, leadership is not simply about setting direction from the top – it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to do their best work.
Without a doubt, one of the most important skills is building a strong operational foundation. Best practices, processes, and systems allow our teams to focus not only on execution but also on delivering meaningful insights and strategic contributions. By establishing consistent standards, I ensure our work is reliable, scalable, and aligned with immediate goals and long-term strategy. This sense of clarity and structured approach builds both confidence and trust within our team and our broader organization. And while a solid operational foundation is not negotiable, developing a nimble organization is vital, especially when it comes to team management.
People development is also a cornerstone of my leadership philosophy. I believe high-performing teams are built on empowerment and opportunity, so I work closely with team members to ensure they feel valued and have a clear path for growth – mapping out career paths, providing mentorship, and fostering a culture where people are encouraged to innovate, challenge assumptions, and take ownership of their contributions. I place great value on mentorships and believe in paying it forward. As my own career developed, I had fantastic mentors who gave me the flexibility to develop my career as I was raising my family. Investing in people ensures retention, deeper engagement, and ultimately greater performance.
Equally important is leading with a global perspective. I’ve worked extensively across different regions and cultures and recognize that diverse perspectives are often the key to the best solutions. When everybody feels empowered to bring their unique perspective to the table, we all win.
Finally, I emphasize adaptability and resilience. Whether navigating global disruptions, managing organizational transformation, or steering acquisitions and integrations, I prioritize data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and a steady hand under pressure. My goal is always to provide teams with the confidence that, together, we can overcome challenges with focus and resolve.
In summary, my goal is to balance structure with empathy, strategy with execution, and vision with people development – ensuring that teams are not only equipped to deliver today but also prepared to lead tomorrow.
