865: CEOs of major companies serve as both the public face of the organization and pivotal leaders responsible for shaping its strategy and upholding internal values through their actions. In this episode of Technovation, Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, joins Peter High in a conversation regarding his 34-year leadership tenure at the company and the career path that culminated in his current position. Jim shares his early career journey, playing professional soccer and representing the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics, and what led him to pivot into technology and co-found WWT in 1990. He reflects on the transition from athlete to entrepreneur, the influence of his upbringing, and the foundational values that have guided his leadership and WWT’s culture. Jim also gives his assessment of the evolution of technology since starting WWT, the strategic pivots the company has made to stay ahead in the industry, and the importance of culture, teamwork, and continuous learning in driving success. Given the rise and current significance of generative AI as a transformative technology, Jim talks about the role this technology plays at the company and how WWT’s Advanced Technology Center explores future tech advancements. Finally, he recounts the lessons he has learned from his remarkable career and offers valuable advice for individuals seeking to level up their leadership within their organizations.
Also available on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/T6PnxUFIDo0
_____________________________________
This episode is sponsored by Nile.
M&T Bank CIO Michael Wisler on Driving an Engineering Culture with a Build Mentality
Establishing the Foundation for a Modern Enterprise with Magna Intl. and Pilot Company Executives
Carlyle Co-Founder David Rubenstein on Common Traits of Successful Investors
Optimizing Value Delivery through Digital with Little Caesars & Giant Eagle CIOs
Levi Strauss Chief Strategy & AI Officer Katia Walsh on Blurring the Line Between the Business & IT
Goodyear CTO Chris Helsel on Innovating New Mobility Experiences
Intel's NEX Cloud Networking Group VP/GM Patricia Kummrow on Building a Software Ecosystem
ConocoPhillips CDIO Pragati Mathur on Integrating ESG Excellence into Strategy
CIO Kristie Grinnell on Creating a Digital DXC Strategy
McKesson Corp. CITO Nancy Avila on the Strategic Importance of Operations Within IT
Pfizer CDTO Lidia Fonseca on Driving Game-Changing Innovation
Huntington National Bank Executives on the Core Modernization of the Company
Pilot Company CTO Michael Rodgers on Delivering Digital Customer Experiences
Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti on Abstracting the Complexity of Finance Through Tech
Cargill CIDO Jen Hartsock on Being a Connector for Customers & Employees
Rise of the Rest: AOL Co-Founder Steve Case on Expanding VC Beyond the Coasts
Cenlar Co-CEO & COO Rob Lux on Being a Technologist CEO
TIAA Chief Sastry Durvasula on Developing Tech Solutions Across Generations
Intel’s Douglas Boom on the History and Evolution of Ethernet Software
Bill George, Fmr. Medtronic CEO, on His Latest Book and Authentic Leadership
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Insight Story: Tech Trends Unpacked
Zero-Shot
Fast Forward by Tomorrow Unlocked: Tech past, tech future
The Unbelivable Truth - Series 1 - 26 including specials and pilot
Lex Fridman Podcast