Name: Abdulla Pathan

Title: Senior Vice President

Oranisation: LearningMate Solutions Private Limited

Experienced and visionary technology leader with over 26 years of expertise in steering digital transformation and optimizing IT operations. Proven track record in aligning technology strategies with organizational goals to achieve business success, establishing robust frameworks, leading cross-functional teams for innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, delivering measurable business impact, and cultivating key vendor relationships.

Adept at collaborating with top management to drive strategic vision evolution and elevate enterprise system performance. Recognized for building high-performance teams, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and innovation, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Experienced in leveraging emerging technologies for competitive advantage. Acknowledged for pioneering the establishment of an Enterprise DevOps environment, resulting in a 15-20% reduction in operational costs.

Instrumental in introducing transformative technologies, fostering organizational growth, and crafting strategic partnerships with industry leaders. Recognized for building an Enterprise digital transformation solution, yielding a 20-25% revenue growth. Certified Experienced Leader in AI, Data Solutions, cloud computing, and Enterprise Architecture.

Proficient in innovation, business planning, digital transformation, budgeting, cloud partnerships management, and fostering stakeholder relationships. Effective communicator with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. Committed to leveraging technology as a key enabler for organizational growth and efficiency.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Abdulla's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

- Handling Failure and Criticism - Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals - Adapting to Change - Managing Diverse Teams

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

- Visionary Thinking - Innovation and Risk-Taking - Continuous Learning and Updating - Collaboration and Teamwork - Ethical Consideration and Responsibility

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Prioritize Tasks - Begin with a clear plan. Identify the most important tasks and prioritize them. Scheduled Work Blocks: Divide your work into focused blocks of time, separated by short breaks.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Understanding and Managing Your Own Emotions

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

"Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ" by Daniel Goleman The Importance of EQ over IQ: Goleman argues that emotional intelligence, which encompasses self-awareness , self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, can be a more significant determinant of personal and professional success than IQ.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Self-Awareness: Leaders with high emotional intelligence are aware of their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and how they affect others. This self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and effective leadership. Self-Regulation: The ability to control or redirect disruptive emotions and impulses is a vital skill for leaders. It helps in maintaining a clear vision and staying calm under pressure.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Illustrates the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) over just IQ in leadership. Initially, I was focused solely on technical aspects and overlooked her team's emotional needs. This approach led to low morale and productivity issues, adversely affecting a critical project. After receiving feedback, I began to value and address team's emotions, leading to improved morale, collaboration, and project success. The story underscores that while IQ is important for gaining technical expertise, EQ is crucial for effective leadership, team management, and overcoming challenges.