Page 63 - Powerlist 2020

until I got the new place. I was nervous Do you have an example?
that I might not get it, but I remember I went to a business meeting as a
feeling passionate that it was the course consultant partner with the CEO of a
for me. major company. Just before, my phone
rang and I had to take a quick call. I
Who were your role models? “Put yourself said to my team, “get set up and I’ll be
I was enamoured with Steve Jobs and back in a moment”. I took my call and Media, Publishing & Entertainment
Bill Gates. I tried to study how they out there, went back to the boardroom and the
be willing me – blocked my way. She was very
created their companies, the culture. CEO’s assistant – who hadn’t yet met
to fail then
And how long were you with direct and said, “there’s a meeting, you
Viewlocity? can’t go in” and insinuated if I needed
About seven or eight years. I acquired get back and to clean up the breakfast stuff, I could
some other businesses, took the try again” come at break time. I said, “no, I’m in
company public, then in September the meeting”, and she said, “those are
2001 the markets collapsed and our consultants, this isn’t your meeting”.
share price as well, so I had to raise it’s been good. I’ve been in South Then the CEO comes out and says,
capital to bring it back private. I did that Kensington for 18 months. “Michael, come on in”. By the way, I was
and then in 2004, I sold the business in a smart suit, but she clearly judged
and went back and did my MBA. Would you describe yourself as me by the colour of my skin.
a leader?
Why? I think people use that phrase pretty Did she apologise?
I wanted to do something different, flippantly and when I describe myself There was no apology.
and I enjoyed the challenge of thinking it’s as a great business strategist, then
about strategic planning but knew I I’d say a consummate technologist. I’ve Did the CEO know what had
didn’t have all the tools in my toolbag. tried to be a builder of people happened?
From there, I went into management and teams. I didn’t raise it with the CEO, who
consulting and joined Boston wasn’t aware. I wasn’t there to make my
Consulting Group [BCG]. I planned How would you summarise leadership? problems his. But, just to note, this was
to go for two years but ended up Setting out a mission and guidance for four years ago…
staying for 15. what you want a group of people to get
behind, and understanding how Do you feel the UK is any better?
How did they reel you in for so long? to culturally make that happen. It’s not Back in the States I’d have interactions
I’ve always had the mindset of do old-school order and control. with police officers – because I
what you’re passionate about, be in was driving a nice car, I’d have
an environment conducive to mental What advice would you give to a them calling me ‘boy’. In the UK, it’s
health, and have fun with what you’re budding young executive? not like that. In the workplace here, my
doing. So every two years or so Start by leading small things. Put feeling is people suppress the racial
I take a moment and think, yourself out there, be willing to fail then aspect, you know, people try not to
“am I happy, am I thriving, get back and try again. Some young bring that in. I get the sense things
am I learning – and earning people can be too quick at wanting are tied up with classism – yet of
- appropriately?” And I was, to jump steps and not be open to course there’s a lot of correlation with
I was growing every two feedback. But you need to listen to the race. But it’s definitely different from the
years, doing something tough messages. Once you’re a leader US. There, you could be Obama
new. I was a very people are going to throw shots at you, at Harvard and they will still treat you
successful partner in things are going to fail. Also, don’t try like trash.
the firm. to master 10 things, just one or two, and
ideally things you are passionate about. The FT named you as one of the top
What made you People seek out expertise. Be an expert. 100 executives fighting workplace
move to the UK, discrimination. How should companies
and BT? Have you faced much discrimination in improve diversity?
An executive your career? Pay transparency is so important. Also,
recruiter My mum and dad grew up in the US in my question to chief executives is:
reached out the 1950s and 60s so they experienced “Where is your chief diversity officer
and it was an direct racism. For me most of that was in the hierarchy of your organisation?
opportunity gone, but the undertone – as you can If it’s six levels down, that’s where your
to take all I’d see today – was definitely not gone. problem is.”
done and
apply it to a What advice did your parents give you What would you like to achieve
very large, on dealing with racism? next?
important They said you can’t change the mindset I don’t want to be a politician but
company. of the person sitting across from you I want to influence some of the
And other but don’t let it impact and influence political landscape – too often the black
than a bit you. I’ve encountered subtle racism, agenda is not represented at the right
of culture and direct, but didn’t let it control me or level across key decision-making in
change my emotions. US politics.

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