Episode 150: Crafting the Future: From Military Precision to Tech Vision With Alessio Garofalo
Oct 4, 2023
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Alessio Garofalo, CIO/CTO of Oxagon at NEOM, shares insights on hands-on leadership, prioritizing core objectives and diverse team dynamics. Advice for aspiring tech leaders, books and movies for self-discovery, and reflections on writing a book and wishes for leadership and technology. Final key takeaways include being hands-on, focusing on what matters, finding complementary team members, and subscribing to CTO Confessions and IT Labs newsletter.
Delving one level deeper and understanding the intricacies of tasks can foster better decision-making and team understanding.
In the whirlwind of innovation and tasks, prioritizing core objectives and reducing dependencies can lead to more impactful results.
Deep dives
Alessio Garrofro's Background and Curiosity as a Leader
Alessio Garrofro, the CAO of City of Oxygen, shares his diverse background spanning military, Amazon, and startups. His passion for curiosity drives him to learn and connect with different areas of technology and business. He believes that being able to touch on various domains allows him to understand and lead people better, fostering effective leadership throughout his career.
Adaptive Leadership and Providing Direction
Alessio discusses his leadership style, emphasizing the need for adaptability and flexibility. Coming from a military background, he believes leaders must be able to adapt to different contexts and individuals. He initially provides clear direction and establishes responsibility and boundaries, ensuring that his team understands the ultimate vision. Over time, he increases autonomy, allowing individuals to lead and shine in their own areas of expertise.
The Challenge of Uncertainty and Handling Complexity
Alessio acknowledges the challenges of handling uncertainty and the rapid pace of technological advancements. He advises leaders to accept that they cannot control everything and instead focus on high-impact activities while reducing dependencies. By prioritizing core elements and streamlining decision-making, leaders can navigate the complex tech landscape more effectively.
In this enlightening episode of CTO Confessions, Alessio Garofalo, the CIO/CTO of Oxagon at NEOM, delves deep into his multifaceted journey from the NATO military fields to the forefront of tech innovation. Drawing from his rich experiences in defense, tech giants like Amazon, and his entrepreneurial ventures, Alessio shares invaluable insights on leadership, adaptability, and the rapid evolution of technology.
Key takeaways from the podcast are:
- Hands-On Leadership - Delving one level deeper and understanding the intricacies of tasks can foster better decision-making and team understanding.
- Focus on What Matters - In the whirlwind of innovation and tasks, prioritizing core objectives and reducing dependencies can lead to more impactful results.
- Complementary Team Dynamics - Instead of seeking like-minded individuals, finding team members with diverse skills and perspectives can lead to a more holistic and effective team.
Our Guest: Alessio Garofalo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessiogarofalo1985/
Website: https://www.neom.com/en-us/regions/oxagon
Intro and background music: Craig MacArthur - Power Shutoff (www.youtube.com/watch?v=x74iB_jtauw)
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