Matt Carter, CEO of Aryaka, is a cloud and technology industry veteran, leading Aryaka's long-term market strategy and day-to-day operations, while guiding the company's vision for an increasingly connected world. 

Matt has also served in senior leadership roles at Inteliquent, Sprint Corporation, Sprint Enterprise Solutions, Boost Mobile, Coca-Cola, BellSouth, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.  

Matt earned his master's degree in general management from the Harvard Business School and his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.

Matt’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cartermatt/ 

WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How Matt’s first job as a grocery bagger informs his leadership style today.
• How transitioning industries several times throughout Matt's career helped accelerate his growth.
• The key to becoming more resilient in your career.
• How Aryaka is supporting leaders who are going through a big digital transformation.
• How to go from being the “best kept secret” to becoming well-known in your industry.
• Looking to history to motivate your team - David and Goliath and Japanese Samurai.
• Why creative thinking is the one trait that Matt would instill in every employee.
• A sure-fire strategy to get your team thinking creatively.
• An unexpected twist or failure in your career? How did it lead to growth or success down the road?
• What Red Auerbach, renowned NBA coach of the Boston Celtics, told him about leadership.
• The real job of a leader.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Pros and cons of working for different organizations and not sticking with one for a long period of time:

• Different companies offer different pieces of leadership experience.
• You must constantly rebuild your reputation and your credibility.

What Matt does to foster creative and disruptive thinking in his employees:

• Has a lot of small meetings with people.
• Encourages them by saying how valuable they are to the team.
• Tries not to be the guy that has all the answers.
• Encourages people to be their best selves.

QUOTES:

“Be bold.  The time here is short, so be bold and get the most out of it.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.  You’re going to be okay.  Have the resiliency to keep moving on."

“Believe in yourself and develop the fortitude to keep moving.”

“We’re paid for what we know, but it’s what you don’t know and how you pursue it that makes the difference.”

“Failing is part of growing.”

RESOURCES:

David and Goliath

https://www.amazon.com/David-Goliath-Underdogs-Misfits-Battling/dp/0316204374 

Age of the Samurai – Battle for Japan 

https://www.netflix.com/title/80237990