Name: Ricardhy Grandoit

Title: Founder

Organisation: Elevate Impact, Inc.

Ricardhy Grandoit immigrated from Haiti to the U.S. as a young child. He is a husband and father of two boys. As a leader, Ricardhy is deeply motivated by purpose-driven work that strives to create a world where individuals are valued and organizational practices foster inclusion, equity, and personal well-being.

In 2015, Ricardhy was appointed as the inaugural leader of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Prevention Policies for the 30 Clubs. His tenure at MLB included leading career-transitioning efforts for former players and co-chairing the Black Professionals Business Resource Group. Currently, he is at the forefront of Communications and DE&I Strategic Initiatives on the Global HR team at Takeda, a leading global biopharmaceutical company.

Ricardhy recently founded Elevate Impact, a management consulting firm. Elevate Impact is dedicated to being the go-to solution for leaders seeking to strategically elevate the impact of their people, culture, and talent engagement initiatives.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

The greatest challenge in leadership is facilitating effective communication among the right team members. This involves not just initiating conversations, but ensuring that information is shared intentionally and efficiently. It requires understanding each individual's communication style and aligning it with the team’s dynamics and the organization's goals.

The complexity is heightened by the need to choose appropriate communication mediums and ensure everyone comprehends the information similarly. The focus is on strategic, thoughtful communication tailored to individual needs and broader organizational objectives.

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

My leadership journey, spanning higher education, nonprofit sectors, and HR, was organic, fostered by others recognizing and encouraging my potential. My personable and strategic approach consistently caught the attention of managers and leaders, leading to their advocacy for my advancement. I believe leadership revolves around trust in oneself and one’s abilities, coupled with a deep appreciation for people's experiences and capabilities.

Throughout my career, I have navigated roles across various industries – from engaging in academic environments to contributing to nonprofit boards and driving initiatives within HR – each role chosen for my capacity for innovation and leadership.

In every position, I have strived to extend the impact beyond the defined scope, focusing on building relationships, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and maintaining integrity. This approach, combined with an unwavering commitment to continual learning and professional development, has shaped my leadership style. In essence, my path to leadership has been defined by a consistent focus on valuing people, operating with integrity, and a relentless pursuit of growth and learning.

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

My day is carefully structured to balance work responsibilities and parenting duties. I start my mornings early, around 6:15 or 6:50 AM, depending on whether I work out. By 7:50 AM, I'm either dropping off my oldest son at school or starting my workday with a call.

I mostly follow a hybrid work schedule. Once at my workspace, I prioritize tasks based on urgency, focusing initially on responding to and addressing action items. Around midday, I take a lunch break, often using this time for a family check-in. Post-lunch, my focus shifts to meetings, collaborative tasks, and reviewing outstanding items.

Late afternoons are dedicated to administrative tasks and catching up on emails, aiming to conclude my work by 5:15 PM. From 5:15 to 7:30 PM, I'm involved in family activities, including picking up my kids and spending quality time during dinner. While most evenings are for relaxation, I sometimes have work calls or meetings from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.

My personal development time is reserved for late evenings, from 10:00 to 11:00 PM, and weekends. This includes participating in online courses or reading articles, mainly from LinkedIn.

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

A crucial leadership lesson I've been reminded of recently is the importance of asking the right questions to ensure that employees are meeting expectations. This strategy is vital for providing clear direction and effectively assessing performance.

In a situation where I noticed an employee's work was not aligning with our project goals, I refrained from making assumptions. Instead, I initiated a conversation with specific, open-ended questions. I inquired about their understanding of the project's objectives, their approach to task prioritization, and the challenges they were encountering. This dialogue offered valuable insights into their thought process and helped identify where they were deviating from the project’s aims.

This experience underscored that successful leadership hinges on effective communication, especially through insightful questioning. It's more than just overseeing progress; it's about genuinely understanding team members' perspectives and hurdles. The right questions can uncover whether an employee needs additional resources, guidance, or perhaps an adjustment in their responsibilities. Moreover, such interactions can sometimes reveal that an employee might not be the right fit for a particular role, necessitating a tough decision.