A familiar face received plenty of attention, but elsewhere our leaders were fairly split on the business professionals who inspired and impressed them most.
As part of our new CX All-Stars series, 50+ leaders from the world of customer service and experience spoke to us about their business heroes.
Below is a snapshot of some of their responses. You can view their complete answers to these questions and more in CX All-Stars or by clicking a leader’s name to view their full profile.
The wide range of names and sectors discussed by our All-Stars is indicative of the varied nature of the CX discipline, with everyone from football managers to fashion designers receiving a mention.
However, the most frequent responses were reserved for the unsung heroes in the leaders’ lives: their parents.
Unsung Heroes
Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director at The Futurum Group: “Probably my dad. He had to reinvent himself several times, and I'm sure I took some inspiration from that in my own non-linear career trajectory.”
Andy Dignan, Chief Operating Officer at Five9: "My amazing mother. She was in IT in education for over 20 years, during a time when women in tech (let alone IT) wasn’t something you saw every day.
“Watching her learn and achieve great things helped shape my perception of what’s possible. In fact, it was my mom who inspired me to pursue a technology path in college.“Watching her have to get certifications in Novell, then Microsoft showed me that in tech, you have to always be learning and adapting at a very fast pace.”
Rebecca Wetteman, CEO and Principal Analyst at Valoir Inc: “My father, because he built a career doing what he loved. I try to do the same every day.”
Amy Roberge, Head of Global CX Solutions Engineering at Zoom: “This is a very difficult question to answer as I have so many!
“From my mother who epitomized a powerful woman in business at a time when they were few and far between, to my father who proved that it’s ok to take risks in business and your life if it will ultimately take you to a better place, to countless mentors and colleagues I’ve had the privilege to work with over the course of my career so far.”
Juanita Coley, CEO of Solid Rock Consulting: “Everyone knows I love Zig Ziglar. I quote him religiously. However, I'd have to say my parents are my business heroes as they are the ones who instilled the seeds and love of entrepreneurship in me.”
Steve Jobs
Michael Fauscette, CEO & Chief Analyst at Arion Research LLC: “He revolutionized the tech industry with a twin focus on innovation and user experience. He didn't just create new products, he made them beautiful, intuitive, and completely changed how we interact with technology.
“His relentless pursuit of perfection in every detail, from design to functionality, made Apple a leader and continues to inspire.”
Andrew Morawski, EVP & GM at Oracle: “Simply put, he revolutionized the mobile phone and the telecommunications industry as a result.
“Jobs changed the way we approach consumer connectivity and democratized developer access to mobile technology, an innovative UI approach that we’re still seeing in today’s enterprise and consumer mobility market.”
Susanna Baque, Senior Director Global Customer Experience at SCIEX: "One of my business heroes has been Steve Jobs. His legacy extends beyond the remarkable achievements of Apple Inc., resonating particularly due to his unwavering commitment to prioritizing the customer experience.
“Inspired by Jobs' philosophy, I made a pivotal decision to redirect my career trajectory towards the domain of customer experience. Though this transformation transpired years ago, its enduring relevance continues to underscore the significance of cultivating customer-centricity within enterprises."
Georges Essama, Senior Manager of Customer Experience, Marketing & Communication at Cameroon Telecommunications: “I have a huge appreciation for people leading to serve, with empathy and quest for the general interest rather than a personal one. Steve Jobs, for me, is a good example of a business hero.