Name: Vinod Goje

Title: VP Engineering

Organisation: Leading Investment Bank

Vinod Goje is a seasoned technology leader with a focus on driving business transformation through innovative strategies. With extensive experience across leadership roles, he excels at creating scalable solutions and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Vinod's leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and aligning technology strategies with business goals.

Known for his passion for mentoring and collaboration, Vinod is dedicated to advancing AI's responsible adoption and aligning organizational objectives with cutting-edge technological advancements. His insights into governance, compliance, and AI ethics have made him a sought-after speaker and contributor to the broader tech community.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As a leader in the rapidly evolving field of technology and finance, I've found that managing change and uncertainty has been one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. In my role as VP Engineering at a leading Investment Bank, I've had to navigate the constant flux of technological advancements, while balancing the need for innovation with maintaining stability, scalability, reliability and security in financial systems.

One of the most challenging aspects of leadership I’ve encountered is balancing the long-term vision with immediate operational needs. The rapid rise of generative AI and its potential applications in finance has created both opportunities and challenges. While it offers tremendous potential, it also requires careful consideration of ethical implications and responsible implementation. Balancing the drive for innovation with the need for robust security measures has been a constant challenge.

Another significant challenge has been managing and prioritizing competing demands in a fast-paced environment. With the increasing complexity and the need to stay ahead in a competitive global capital market, I've had to make difficult decisions about resource allocation and project prioritization. This involves not only technical considerations but also aligning our technology strategies with broader business goals and stakeholder expectations.

Talent management has also been a persistent challenge. Recruiting, retaining, and developing top talent is crucial for success. I've focused on creating an environment that fosters continuous learning and innovation, encouraging my team to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies while also ensuring they have opportunities for growth and development.

To address these challenges, I've adopted a strategy of continuous learning, fostering open communication within my team, and maintaining a flexible approach to problem-solving. I believe in creating an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute ideas and take calculated risks; while also ensuring we maintain the high standards of security and compliance required in the financial sector.

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

My journey to leadership has been a gradual evolution throughout my career in technology and finance. It began during my time at a technology consulting firm as a Technology Lead, where I first had the opportunity to guide and mentor team members. This experience sparked my interest in leadership and helped me develop foundational skills in team management and project coordination.

The pivotal moment in my leadership journey came when I joined a leading Investment Bank in 2010 as a VP Engineering. In this role, I was entrusted with leading the design and development of critical systems for electronic trading. This position challenged me to not only leverage my technical expertise but also to develop a strategic vision for our projects and inspire my team to achieve ambitious goals.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to lead increasingly complex initiatives, particularly in the realm of machine learning applications in finance. This has required me to continuously adapt my leadership style, focusing on fostering innovation, encouraging continuous learning, and building strong, collaborative teams.

My leadership approach has been shaped by my commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. By actively engaging with emerging technologies and industry trends, I've been able to drive innovation in financial systems.

Throughout this journey, I've learned that effective leadership in the tech industry requires a balance of technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and strong interpersonal skills. It's about creating an environment where team members feel empowered to contribute their ideas and grow professionally, while also ensuring that we deliver tangible value to our organization and clients.

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

As a leader in technology and finance, I structure my workdays to maximize productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here's how I typically organize my day:

Morning Routine: I wake up at 5:30 AM and start my day with a 30-minute yoga session. This practice helps center my mind, improve flexibility, and energize me for the day ahead. After yoga, I take a quick shower and have a light breakfast while reviewing my priorities for the day.

Workday Structure: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Planning I begin by reviewing my calendar and mapping out priorities based on desired outcomes rather than just a to-do list.

9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon: Stakeholder Engagement and Team Planning This time is dedicated to meeting with stakeholders, strategic planning, and team meetings. I use these hours to align on project goals, discuss progress, and address any challenges or opportunities that have arisen. This collaborative start to the day ensures everyone is on the same page and sets a productive tone for the rest of the workday.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch and Recharge I take a break to have lunch, often using this time to catch up on industry news or have informal discussions with colleagues.

1:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Collaborative Work I schedule most of my other meetings and collaborative tasks during this time. I try to group similar activities together to maintain focus and efficiency.

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Wrap-up I use this time to assess daily accomplishments, respond to important emails, and prepare for the next day.

Evening Routine: After work, I make it a point to have dinner with my family, disconnecting from work to focus on personal time. Before bed, I review my schedule for the next day and set clear intentions, which helps me start the following day prepared and focused.

It's important to note that flexibility is key, and I adjust this routine as needed based on pressing priorities or unexpected challenges.

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

A recent leadership lesson I've been reminded of is the critical importance of building trust in today's volatile business environment. As highlighted in the 2024 leadership trends, trust has become a central theme for effective leadership.

With less than half of leaders trusting their own managers and less than a third trusting senior leadership, there's a clear trust deficit that needs to be addressed. This reminder comes at a crucial time when organizations are facing rapid changes, economic uncertainty, and technological disruptions like AI.

To build trust, leaders need to focus on several key areas. It's essential to prioritize transparency and open communication, especially regarding organizational changes and challenges. Leaders must demonstrate consistency between their words and actions, actively listen to team members, and show genuine care for their concerns. Additionally, providing clear vision and direction amidst uncertainty is crucial for maintaining trust.

As Seth Godin aptly put it, "Earn trust, earn trust, earn trust. Then you can worry about the rest." This lesson underscores that before implementing any major initiatives or transformations, leaders must first establish a foundation of trust with their teams. Only then can they effectively navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and drive successful outcomes.

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?

One book that has had a profound impact on my leadership journey is "Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World" by Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM. This book resonated deeply with me and transformed my approach to leadership in several ways.

Rometty's concept of "good power" - the idea that power can be used positively to create meaningful change - fundamentally shifted my perspective on leadership. It helped me realize that effective leadership isn't about exerting control or authority, but about using one's influence to drive positive outcomes for others and society at large.

The book's emphasis on being "in service of others" particularly impacted me. It reinforced the importance of putting the needs of my team and stakeholders first, this principle has guided me to make more empathetic and inclusive decisions, fostering a more collaborative and engaged team environment.

Rometty's personal stories and experiences, from her challenging childhood to leading a Fortune 500 company, provided practical insights on navigating complex leadership challenges. Her emphasis on building trust through transparency, consistency between words and actions, and active listening has become a cornerstone of my leadership style.

Implementing these principles has not only made me a more effective leader but has also brought a sense of purpose and fulfillment to my role. "Good Power" has become a touchstone for me, reminding me that leadership is not just about achieving goals, but about how we achieve them and the positive impact we can create along the way.

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

If I could give only one piece of advice to a young leader, it would be this: Cultivate self-awareness and commit to continuous personal growth.

Self-awareness is a foundational quality for effective leadership. It allows you to understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations, which in turn enables you to lead with authenticity and integrity. By being self-aware, you can better recognize how your actions and decisions impact others, fostering stronger relationships and trust within your team.

Moreover, a commitment to continuous personal growth ensures that you're always evolving as a leader. This involves actively seeking feedback, learning from your experiences (both successes and failures), and consistently working to improve your skills and knowledge. "Form your own opinions, don't let others influence you."

This ability to think independently and critically is crucial for young leaders, and it stems from a deep understanding of oneself and a willingness to grow. Remember, leadership is a journey, not a destination. By focusing on self-awareness and personal growth, you'll be better equipped to navigate the challenges of leadership, inspire others, and make a lasting positive impact in your role.

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

One meaningful story that comes to mind from my time as a leader involves a challenging project we undertook. This project was particularly significant as it represented a major leap in our technological capabilities and had the potential to significantly impact our strategies.

The project was ambitious and complex, requiring integration of cutting-edge technologies with our existing systems while ensuring compliance with stringent regulations. As the leader of this initiative, I faced numerous challenges, including tight deadlines, technical complexities, and initial skepticism from some stakeholders about the feasibility and reliability in such a critical area.

What made this story meaningful was how it highlighted the power of collaborative leadership and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. I realized early on that success would depend not just on technical expertise, but on building a cohesive team that could think creatively and adapt quickly.

I organized the team into cross-functional groups, encouraging open communication and idea-sharing where team members could experiment and share their findings. This approach not only accelerated our progress but also boosted team morale and engagement.

The project was ultimately a success, significantly enhancing capabilities and setting a new standard. More importantly, it transformed our team dynamics, fostering a culture of innovation that continued long after the project's completion.

This story reminds me that effective leadership is not just about achieving goals, but about how we achieve them – by empowering our teams, embracing innovation, and creating an environment where everyone can contribute to and share in the success.