In our latest episode, Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence sit down with John Lee, a professional whose 30-year journey through the digital infrastructure landscape has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting his career in the dynamic world of financial services, John quickly developed a nuanced understanding of the pivotal role digital infrastructure plays in this critical industry. From network engineer to IT director, his roles have been varied but always centered around the vital components of digital infrastructure, including data centers, cloud computing, and network architecture. Now, as John seeks to share his wealth of knowledge with the next generation of professionals in the field, he finds himself at a crossroads, ready to explore new challenges and opportunities with the same curiosity and passion that has defined his career.

As Nabeel and Phil dive into John’s story, John reflects on a moment that ultimately would place him on the road to where he is today:

“I was reading a newspaper and I saw a little ad in the back and it said, you can learn the fascinating field of computers…”

Diving into John’s career transition from the corporate world to academia, Phil and Nabeel are interested to hear more about this journey:

"If you look today at the profile of new workers coming in…you have to really learn what's motivating people today, and that's how you're going to build great teams. So I became a teacher so I can understand what students think."

In a moment of reflection on leadership and managing teams, John shares a pivotal principle that has guided his interactions and decision-making:

"I would always tell the engineers, hey listen, if something doesn't feel right, don't do it. I don't mean to ignore it. Stop for a second. Slow down. Ask a question. Get clarification before you do it.”

John Lee's episode is not merely a recounting of career milestones; it's a journey through time, technology, and personal development, offering listeners a wealth of insights and stories that span across various facets of life and career. His reflections and advice make this episode a must-listen for anyone navigating through their career, aspiring to lead with empathy, and aiming to strategically set and achieve their goals.

Follow John Lee on LinkedIn to stay updated with more inspiring stories and insights.