Chief Executive Officer | episode 865

From Olympic Athlete to Tech Titan: World Wide Technology Co-Founder & CEO Jim Kavanaugh on Leadership, Culture, and the Evolution of Technology

Jim Kavanaugh is the co-founder and chief executive officer of World Wide Technology, a global technology solutions provider that reported 2023 revenue of roughly $19 billion. Jim focuses his attention on technology innovation, both for World Wide Technology and its customers and partners, long-term planning, strategic acquisitions, financial performance, employee development, and workplace culture. Prior to co-founding WWT, Jim played professional soccer, representing the United States on the men's national team in 1984 at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. April 22, 2024

865: CEOs of major companies serve as both the public face of the organization and pivotal leaders responsible for shaping its strategy and upholding internal values through their actions. In this episode of Technovation, Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, joins Peter High in a conversation regarding his 34-year leadership tenure at the company and the career path that culminated in his current position. Jim shares his early career journey, playing professional soccer and representing the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics, and what led him to pivot into technology and co-found WWT in 1990. He reflects on the transition from athlete to entrepreneur, the influence of his upbringing, and the foundational values that have guided his leadership and WWT’s culture. Jim also gives his assessment of the evolution of technology since starting WWT, the strategic pivots the company has made to stay ahead in the industry, and the importance of culture, teamwork, and continuous learning in driving success. Given the rise and current significance of generative AI as a transformative technology, Jim talks about the role this technology plays at the company and how WWT’s Advanced Technology Center explores future tech advancements. Finally, he recounts the lessons he has learned from his remarkable career and offers valuable advice for individuals seeking to level up their leadership within their organizations.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/T6PnxUFIDo0

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

"One of the worst things you can do as a CEO is to go out and put values out there and then not live and breathe those values."

The World Class IT principles in yellow were the focus of this interview

  • 01 1- People
  • 02 2- Infrastructure
  • 03 3- Project and Portfolio Management
  • 04 4- IT & Business Partnership
  • 05 5- External Partnerships

From strategy to implementation

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