Expert as a Role Model

You need “deep smarts” to solve problem instantly, help you to consider the relevant and critical areas. My role model is an ex-boss (American), in a complex industry with brand new technology, uncertain environment with small group of people. Trust was very important to him – he would select someone he can trust and work with. He considered what we could do if the plan did not work, what support we could get from Headquarters. He had a very clear communication style. He gave empowerment to his subordinates, and had a great sense of right timing, so he really had “deep smarts”.

Communication as Well as Knowledge

There is a huge difference in the graduates in IT from the old days. In the old days, IT guys never spoke to you, they were just these people who looked at their screens all day and knew how to write code. They didn’t know how to communicate. Now, the schools are teaching them how to communicate, so that they can act as “translators” between the business and IT. So the communication gap has been addressed, they are much easier to deal with now.