Don't Accept the Status Quo (wsg Tracy-Ann Palmer)

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Tracy-Ann Palmer, Vice President Global GTM, Strategy and Transformation at Rackspace and global technology executive who hails from South Africa. Tracy-Ann has worked with iconic tech brands that are known around the world. She is a humble leader who appreciates being pushed and encouraged to reach far beyond where she thinks she can reach. Tracy-Ann used her passion to found Midwest Technology Leaders and the non-profit We Build Character. Of course, Tracy-Ann talks about the importance of mentoring stemming from her “Top Three,” ranging from a caravan leader in Africa, to CEOs of tech companies, to the top tech executives in the federal government – all of whom helped her to never accept the status quo. About Tracy-Ann Palmer Tracy-Ann Palmer has over 25 years of experience in high-growth, global, technology driven businesses. She has been consistently recognized for her strong leadership and ability to help accelerate growth for companies.  Tracy-Ann is currently Vice President Global GTM, Strategy and Transformation at Rackspace.  Rackspace is a leading provider of expertise and managed services across all major public and private cloud technologies. Prior to joining Rackspace, Tracy-Ann held a variety of leadership roles in sales, channel and business operations at Cisco, Salesforce and in the start-up world including founding her own experiential marketing company that received numerous business awards.  Since 2005 she has been a very active contributor to the community through numerous philanthropic efforts including serving on a variety of boards.  She has a strong passion for developing leaders and founded a non-profit “We Build Character” focused on building future leaders through executive mentoring programs.  In 2004, Tracy-Ann founded Midwest Technology Leaders, an annual executive IT event bringing together top IT leaders together focused on collaboration, innovation and excellence. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview 2:03        Tracy-Ann Palmer – a global tech executive whose worked with iconic brands. (Cisco. Salesforce. Rackspace.) 3:17        A journey across continents and across industries. Segment 2: The “Top Three”   5:18        Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Her Father – Work ethic. Discipline. Warrior. 6:16        Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Mark Moritz – Believed in Tracy-Ann more than she believed in herself. 8:31        Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Jane Sydlowski – Creative. Absolutely resilient. (Michigan Council of Women in Technology. AMI Strategies.) 11:16      The history of Midwest Technology Leaders (MTL). 14:08      Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Teri Takai – Be deliberate about your career. Direct. Honest. Pragmatic. 15:22      “Surround yourself with people who aren’t necessarily like you.” 16:12      Honest and directness are key. “Are you open to coaching today” – David Behen. 19:46      Tracy-Ann’s “Top Three”: Phil Bertolini – Incorporating the business into IT. Career coaching. Segment 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation   22:18      We Build Character – providing structured, community-based leadership mentor programs to high-potential professionals. 25:29      The “absolutely invaluable” role of reverse mentorship. 28:10      “I cannot tell you what an impact this has had in my life” – a We Build Character Mentee. 34:01      Rackspace – a managed cloud computing company focused on mid-market organizations. (AWS. VMWare. Microsoft. SB.) 36:33      The fascinating facts about a cloud model: 1. There is always a lot of disruption. 2. The business model is very different. 39:05      In response to transformation – “I believe in looking externally for your answers – not in your industry.” 40:19      Disruption: “We’re the problem, or the opportunity – It’s all about consumerization.” 43:56      Learnings from transformation of the past – “As a transformation leader, you’re at risk.” (Billhighway.) Segment 4: Wrapping Up 49:36      Advice to leaders – “Don’t accept the status quo.” 51:15      Advice to leaders – “Break our own patterns.” 52:04      Rackspace is transforming – watch the news! 52:38      Connect with Tracy-Ann, Rackspace, and We Build Character.   Additional Information Contact Tracy-Ann Palmer: Tracy-Ann’s LinkedIn Tracy-Ann’s Twitter Tracy-Ann’s Instagram Contact Rackspace and We Build Character: Racksapce Website Rackspace LinkedIn Rackspace Twitter Rackspace Instagram We Build Character Website We Build Character LinkedIn We Build Character Twitter Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

Om Podcasten

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.