How to lead in a crisis and build a thriving team in 2025—former Xero CEO Steve Vamos shares invaluable insights from 40+ years in tech, navigating disruptions, and inspiring change. Learn how to cultivate self-awareness, adapt to constant change, and prioritize team well-being in this candid conversation.
Episode Highlights:
– Steve’s fascinating journey through 40+ years in technology.
— Lessons from leading Xero during the global pandemic.
— The eight must-do actions for effective leadership.
— Strategies to thrive in hybrid work environments.
— The secret to maintaining personal well-being while excelling professionally.
About the Guest:
Steve Vamos, former CEO of Xero and a 40-year veteran in the tech industry, has held leadership roles at IBM, Microsoft, and Apple. As an author, speaker, and mentor, Steve focuses on helping leaders navigate change and build high-performing teams. His book, Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change, is a must-read for aspiring and seasoned leaders alike.
— Episode Chapter Big Ideas (timing may not be exact) —
0:00 – Introduction to Steve Vamos and his 40-year journey in tech.
2:11 – Transitioning from executive roles to a more balanced life.
4:14 – Navigating major industry disruptions like the dot-com crash and the pandemic.
7:48 – How to lead in a crisis: Lessons from managing 4,500 employees during the pandemic.
12:08 – The evolution of hybrid work and how leaders can adapt.
18:13 – Knowing when it’s time to step away from leadership.
23:21 – Insights from Through Shifts and Shocks and the eight must-do actions for change.
28:46 – Why people resist change and how leaders can overcome it.
34:24 – Making hard choices and having difficult conversations as a leader.
38:02 – How Xero implemented a company-wide well-being initiative.
44:58 – Steve’s advice for young leaders on thriving in modern business.
48:43 – Selling New Zealand: Why it should be your next travel destination.
50:29 – Legacy and the three people Steve would invite to dinner.
53:30 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Steve Vamos.
Key Quotes from Steve Vamos:
“There’s nothing you’re good at today that you didn’t get good at by making mistakes. Change means mistake-making, and leaders must embrace that.”
“The best way to stay calm in a crisis is to focus on helping others. Leadership isn’t about being the hero; it’s about empowering your team.”
“Taking care of yourself starts with self-awareness. You can’t lead others well if you’re not in a good place yourself.”
— Connect with Steve Vamos —
Website: https://www.stevevamos.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Shifts-Shocks-Lessons-Technology/dp/139429350X
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevamos
— Connect with Julian and Executive Health —
Start thriving in business, community, and family life. Sign up for a complimentary Executive Health Chemistry Meeting — https://calendly.com/julian-exechealth/chemistry
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianhayesii/
