What Kind of Leadership Does That?

If you have had the opportunity to connect or collaborate with me during the last 5 years you know how much I LOVED being a part of the amazing team at Akamai. So you were probably as shocked as I was, to discover my growth was headed in a direction I’d never considered, both in scope and location; outside of Akamai.??

Though I have always worked in an arm of technical support operations, I never thought managing that large umbrella was where I was headed. Like the many industry peers I’ve connected with over the years I thought my direction would be focused on leading a self-service team. We accomplished big things at Akamai; KCS was strong, knowledge became part of our DNA, and we were innovating in the space of Intelligent Swarming. Self-service was my next focus area. Never had I considered I could do self-service, and more.?

Since hindsight is 2020 it’s all so clear to me now. About a year ago one of the amazing Akamai leaders I worked for told me, “You’re at a crossroads”. I didn't see it, more like - I didn't want to see it. I was content, but they had worked with me long enough to know that if I wasn’t being challenged, I wasn’t growing, and that made me uncomfortable. So when an unexpected opportunity came to me, the crossroads was not only clear but flashing bright in my face. It broke my heart to pivot to a different opportunity but the leadership team at Akamai made it so much easier for me. Although they didn’t want me to leave they were happy for me. They supported me in every way imaginable. One of the leaders in Support often encouraged and empowered his team with the phrase “it’s about the journey, not the destination”. I identified with that phrase because for many years I had been declining opportunities. After all, my Akamai journey was thrilling, and I didn’t want that roller coaster ride to end. Now I identify with it differently, “the journey is taking me this way, not that way”, and I’m no longer at the crossroads, I’m back on the road.?

Everything sounds amazing right? You’re probably wondering “So what’s with the title?”. Let me finally add some context. During the last few months at Akamai I was privileged to represented the Support Services organization during a very large project that affected people, process and technology across the entire company. As I entered my last quarter (Q1), I’m attending the Global Support & Services all hands, we get to the Recognition section and guess whose face and name pops up as the Q4 MVP for Support Services? Mine.?

Now you get it… What kind of leadership does that!? Despite my departure, they stood by me, they supported me, and they recognized me even though I was leaving the following week. It speaks volumes about the kind of leadership that exists at Akamai. I learned countless things from them, and they helped me grow more than I ever could have imagined. So the answer to what kind of leadership does that? The answer is: Great leaders, great mentors and great role models.?

P.S. If we get to connect in the future, I hope you see the MVP Surfboard behind me and smile as you recall this blog.?