GLOBAL EXECUTIVE FROM XERO, MICROSOFT & APPLE
In times of constant change
Success depends on our state of mind and actions we take.
An essential guide for leaders and teams to navigate change and perform better in the face of uncertainty.
“A must-read, sharing inspired insights into what it takes to be a great leader of people and organisations, from one of the best”
David Thodey
AO
Change is hard for humans
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Our reaction to change is shaped by a natural survival instinct to protect ourselves.
Workplace conditioning and hierarchy breed fear and resistance to change.
Now more than ever, the human element of change must be a constant, front-of-mind obsession.
“If you want to learn how to effectively navigate through massive change, this book is for you.”
David Shein,
General Partner, OIF VC
In Stores Now!
Steve’s Career Chronology
Shifts
Shocks
2017 - 2023
XERO
- Environment issues & action go mainstream
- Black lives matter and social cause at work
- Hybrid work goes mainstream
- Wellbeing and mental health go mainstream
- Global pandemic
- Extreme weather events
2009 - 2017
BOARD DIRECTOR
- Accounting moves to the cloud
- Emergence of OTT comms providers: voice is free
2003 - 2008
MICROSOFT
- Social media and Facebook emerge
- Move to the cloud, software as a service
- Global financial crisis
1998 - 2003
ninemsn
- Traditional to digital media
- Google emerges
- Dotcom crash
1994 - 1998
APPLE
- Personal computer to client server & the internet
- Apple in need of rescue
- Asian financial crisis
1979 - 1993
IBM
- Minicomputer to personal computer
- Main frame to mini computer
- 1980’s recession
- IBM Aust downsizes 25%
Praise for Through Shifts and Shocks
“Steve distils his lifetime experience in major organisations at the technological frontier. It isn’t the ‘tech’ that interests him rather people and what they can achieve with the right motivation, support and work culture. This book provides a powerful case for change and a practical and compelling guide to action.”
— Emeritus Professor Roy Green AM
“A must-read, sharing inspired insights into what it takes to be a great leader of people and organisations, from one of the best”
— David Thodey AO
“Steve Vamos has packed in so much practical wisdom into Shifts and Shocks drawn from his depth of global business experience. This makes Shifts and Shocks an essential guide for anyone in leadership
Steve Vamos has packed in so much practical wisdom into Shifts and Shocks is an essential guide for anyone in leadership. ”
— Narelle Hooper, award winning Australian business editor and interviewer (Company Director, AFR BOSS Magazine), non executive director The Ethics Centre
“Few leaders can boast to have led through some of the most significant industry events over the past 40 years. Steve Vamos was there for the PC, the networking era, the internet, mobile, cloud computing and now AI. If you want to learn how to effectively navigate through massive change, this book is for you.”
— David Shein, General Partner, OIF VC
“Steve’s insights are an invaluable guide to anyone interested in developing their leadership skills from a leader who has achieved it all over his 40 plus year career”
— Steven Worrall, Corporate VP, Microsoft
“Steve’s team-centric leadership approach enables success in turbulent times and high growth. Through Shifts and Shocks provides the pathway to creating a team environment of high trust and psychological safety, where the "being" and "doing" are in focus and the team works hard to excel in both”
— Rachael Powell, CEO Magentus
“His book, Through Shifts and Shocks, might be grounded in the tech world, but it is an engaging, confident guide to management. Importantly, it's laced with real world experience in how to drive high-performing teams in all levels of business. It covers the hard stuff too, like cutting jobs and how to make tough choices.”
— Eric Johnston, The Australian
“Whether you are a CEO of a large listed company or a team member of a small start-up, the “Must-dos” Steve recommends can help every industry, business and team change better to achieve their full potential.”
— Clinical Professor Leanne Rowe AM
“After seeing Steve speak years ago, it was humbling to meet one of my heroes and have him help shape Xero to be a global technology business. It has also been humbling to be a peer to Steve, and to become over many shared experiences and laughs, a friend.”
— Rod Drury, Founder Xero
“Steve Vamos succeeded in doing what very few executives have accomplished in the tech industry: taking the reins of a high-growth, industry-defining company from its iconic founder/CEO and taking it to the next level. Whatever Steve has to say about that amazing journey deserves our attention and admiration.”
— Graham Smith, Former Board Chair, Splunk and Xero
“Steve's grasp of how people leadership impacts an organisation, particularly one requiring great change, is unparalleled. If we all followed his practical advice, coupled with his genuine humility and integrity, we would all be better leaders and better people. This book needs to be front and centre on your bookshelf”
— Brett Chenoweth, Chairman, CDC Data Centres
“Steve is an inspiring leader. I have seen him align teams to achieve seemingly impossible goals. He enables others to overcome obstacles and tackle the difficult conversations that others walk away from. This book outlines his technique with 8 Must-Do actions to follow.”
— Christa Davies, Board Member Stripe and Coinbase, Former CFO Aon
Effectively navigate through massive change
Assess your team with the must-do diagnostics and other tools.
Develop the right mindset for change
Read the inside stories, learn about leadership Must-Dos and access the tools, playbooks and diagnostics to help your team think and act in the face of change.
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