Always be updated about the new trends in technology, continuously engage with your technical teams and motivate them to try new methods and tools. Eventually you will get a good workforce who can solve the majority of business problems using those tools/methods in less time
When asked how he planned his career path to be a successful technology leader, Harikrishnan R, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at UL Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., in an exclusive interview with CIO News, said, “Initially, I never planned my career path to become a leader.” I was a technical person and always loved to do things by myself. I was just flowing through a wave. Later, I realised the limitations of being a doer and limiting my contributions only to the tasks around me. Then I started looking for opportunities to leverage my skills and how to apply them to build a team around me. Slowly, it succeeded, and I was able to climb many ladders in my career and life.
When asked about challenges he faced in his career path and how he overcame them, he said, “My main challenge was my basic educational qualification.” I completed a diploma in mechanical engineering and then switched to IT. Initially, I found it difficult to get acceptance in situations at work. Later, with my hard work and practical knowledge, I was able to overcome all those adversities and, among those in my team, I was considered to be an expert in technology and solving problems, which helped me to scale different positions in my career spanning multiple organisations, which included Idea Cellular, IBM, Amdocs, Airtel, ULTS, etc.
When asked about challenges faced by IT leaders today while implementing digital technologies, he said, “Customers—whether internal or external—are not able to visualise the value of IT in their business. Everyone talks about technology, but when they want to accept and invest in it, they are all sceptical about the implementation and commercials around the same.” What is good technology and how much they need to spend to get good technology is still an unknown factor to them.
When asked how IT leaders can overcome the challenges they face, he said, “Continuous engagement with business leaders and educating them on the advantages and disadvantages of digital transformation.” If we talk only of advantages, they will never understand the other side. Once we start talking about the disadvantages, business leaders will defend the same and they will start convincing us with more advantages, which is a selling point for technology leaders.
When asked about best practices, industry trends, or advice he would like to suggest to fellow IT leaders for their successful professional journeys, he said, “Always be updated about the new trends in technology, continuously engage with your technical teams and motivate them to try new methods and tools. Eventually you will get a good workforce who can solve the majority of business problems using those tools/methods in less time.” The capability of solving problems fast is a winning factor for any technology leader.
Also read: Technology Journey of Dr. Fene Osakwe, Forbes Technology Council Member
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CIO News, a proprietary of Mercadeo, produces award-winning content and resources for IT leaders across any industry through print articles and recorded video interviews on topics in the technology sector such as Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Cloud, Robotics, Cyber-security, Data, Analytics, SOC, SASE, among other technology topics
