1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Building quality diverse teams

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I was chosen to lead a team of 22 engineers at age 28 because my management was looking for someone who could add a customer's perspective.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I always try to remember the important while I am working on the urgent. And the important things are always listed in front of me at my desk.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

I relearned that just because I could see the reason in something, it did not mean that others could.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

There are way too many to pick just one, so I draw from many: Profiles in Courage, Atlas Shrugged, Winning by Jack Welch to name a few.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

It is ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. Never stop stretching, never stop learning.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

The most difficult time was when I had to "prune" 5% of my sales force at one time. Trying to do that objectively without letting feelings get in the way was tough.