Name: James Moy

Title: Technology Vendor & Legal Operations Manager

Organisation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

James has worked in the vendor management, legal operations, IT asset management, software compliance, and IT Service Management space for over 30+ years (across many industries such as banking, insurance, media, and healthcare). With varied experience spanning multiple industries, he has managed groups large and small to build out over 5 VM, ITAM, SAM, and ITIL programs that converge across technology.

James brings over 15 years of digital transformation and optimization to all organizations, which resulted in large savings and ROI for the company. As a US Navy veteran, he brings a wealth of experience in legal operations, policy development, process controls, inventory logistics, and software license compliance while lowering risk.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Working with people and managing expectations is by far the biggest challenges of any leader.

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

Working for a large company, I started with a team of 6 locally. It immediately expanded after a merger to 18 globally. I didn't set out to be a leader, but when you are given the chance to lead, you lead. To do that, you have to trust the people who work for you and empower them to do their job and succeed.

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

I am an early riser, so I try to be consistent with that schedule. Mornings are dedicated to self, including water, coffee, exercise, and emails before the meeting days start. The workday is filled with meetings, projects to work through, and meetings with the team throughout the day as minor check-ins. Evenings are decompressing modes where I take care of household chores and duties, cook for the family when I can, plan in the evening for project work, and align the detailed work against the planned vision or project.

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

A good example of a recent leadership lesson that I learned or am reminded of is the importance of transparency and emotional intelligence (EQ).

Transparency offers the team views into what's happening where everyone is included. While EQ bring in the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Without these two critical characteristics, leadership would be more difficult.

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?

How To Win Friends & Influence People by Stven Covey - great book on relationships and getting to know people and 12 Notes On Life & Creativity by Quincy Jones - a wonderful book on finding your path as you navigate life.

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

Keep your chin up and press on. Never give up. Your life is a story. One chapter will close and another one will open. Life will continue. Just keep going. Enjoy the journey, no matter how tough it seems at the moment.

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

An outstanding manager early in my career had sat me down after some miscommunication with another colleague. She took the time to listen, gather the data, and verify all accounts. She was a great manager, a wonderful leader, and a mentor I looked up to.