This book is built around a simple but powerful idea: leadership starts with paying attention. Not just to your title or your goals, but to your experiences, every one of them. The philosophy of ACE Leadership is rooted in three key principles: Awareness, Conscientiousness, and Evolve. Each principle forms a chapter of this book, and within each are focused, story-driven sections drawn from real moments and practical takeaways from my own leadership journey. Awareness is about tuning in, to people, to your environment, and to yourself. It's the foundation of communication, trust, and emotional presence. Conscientiousness is about effort and follow-through, working hard, doing the right thing even when no one's watching, and owning your outcomes. And Evolve is where growth lives. It's about adapting with intention, learning from mistakes, and building strategies that move you, and others, forward.
Each reflection and lesson shared here is grounded in experience, not theory. Across a career that spans global organizations like Ericsson, Cadbury Schweppes, JCPenney, Santander, IBM, and others, I've had the opportunity to learn from incredible leaders, diverse teams, and real-world challenges. From entry level positions to executive roles, I've gained and applied lessons that shaped how I lead, and how I continue to grow. Whether you're leading others or simply learning to lead yourself, these stories are here to guide you forward, one moment at a time.
Throughout my career, I've placed a strong emphasis on developing my technical knowledge, continually educating myself, earning certifications, and staying close to the systems, processes, and tools that drive IT forward. That technical foundation has served me well, but this book isn't about being the most technical person in the room. And I'm not, and I don't strive to be. It's about leadership. It's about the power of collaboration, the strength of relationships, and the impact of enabling others. What I've learned, and continue to learn, is that real leadership doesn't come from having all the answers. It comes from knowing how to bring out the best in the people around you and giving others room to grow. That's where the work truly matters. That's when leadership becomes lasting.
This book is dedicated to the countless people on the ladder of success. Regardless of where you are, you're on it, keep climbing until you get to where you want to climb to. I learned invaluable experiences from you and I hope to return some of those here to others.
