Sanjib Sahoo

Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer
Ingram Micro

Leadership Insights to Action: An ongoing series – presented by Diversity First with contributor Jennifer Walker – spotlighting innovative leaders who are making meaningful, impactful, and sustainable change to elevate diversity, equity and belonging for the betterment of their organizations and beyond. Do you know such a leader who should be featured? Tell us!

What is an idea, practice, or innovation that you have led to accelerate diversity, equity & belonging at your organization or more broadly for industry? What was an unexpected challenge or opportunity that you encountered, and what did you learn?

Lead with empathy and execute with passion. As a business leader, you must communicate clearly and consistently with your team—bringing them and your customers with you on the journey.

Attracting and retaining talent, especially over the last few years, has been hard for organizations of all sizes. What I have found is that when we share vision, and when we share opportunity, challenges, experiences (both wins and learnings) – we attract and retain good people. The best hires are those individuals who strive to be their own CEO. Remember that the technology is critical, but people are what make change happen. Attitude is always more important than aptitude.

What is something that you wished that you would have known in your twenties?

In my twenties, it would have been knowing the importance of bringing an entire organization with you on a transformative / digital journey. Recognizing earlier on that it is more so the talent than the tech that makes digital transformation successful. It is more about the spirit of change, than the solutions themselves. Communication and continued improvement are everything. You do not have to do everything at once. Perfect limits progress.

Now, in my forties with experience behind me and limitless opportunity ahead, it is far more simple: Lead more through your ears than through your mouth.

How do you continue to professionally evolve?

I always listening to the needs of our team, our partners, our vendors, and the market at the macro and micro levels—asking questions on what is needed to elevate the experience. You must focus on the experience first, innovation will follow.

What do you see as the greatest opportunity ahead?

The ripple effect that Ingram Micro’s new digital experience platform, Xvantage, will have on the global tech industry is the greatest opportunity I see in the immediate future. Ingram Micro is the business behind the brands of today’s emerging and established technology leaders and innovators. Our innovations and success fast become their innovations and success.

What will be your legacy?

I have never thought legacy. What drives me is inspiring others to believe in the art of possible. Do not limit your challenges, and instead challenge your limits. We can do hard things together. Dream big and make it happen.