Point Apogee’s Post

The Art of Possibility: Influential Leadership in Tight Budgets & Resources Ever found yourself at work facing a project you know is crucial, but there's no budget, and resources are nowhere to be found? 🤔 A leader's ability to rally a team, spark creativity, and strategically use available resources can be a game-changer. I've been there, and it got me reflecting on the time when AT&T had aimed to purchase T-Mobile in 2011. We had paused on many projects. We had completed the deployment of 3G but had not begun 4G planning. The wait seemed endless, and doing nothing wasn't an option—my team would get bored, and we risked losing valuable talent. I decided to find practical solutions and foster collaborative relationships. Instead of waiting idly, I approached one of our Radio Network vendors and asked for partnership in building a small cluster of 4G cell sites as a test bed. We had to be resourceful and find a location where we had spare spectrum. By building this small 4G cluster, not only did we gain valuable insights into the workings of 4G technology, but we also kept the team engaged and motivated. The story doesn’t end there, but it’s too long to go into details. Eventually, the merger with AT&T did not gain regulatory approval and we at T-Mobile ended up building our own 4G network with additional spectrum we acquired and a healthy budget. Let’s talk about the lessons learned in this example? Why would the vendor help in this situation? ● Building Strong Relationships: My prior interactions and relationships with the vendors had been positive and they considered T-Mobile as a valuable long-term partner. ● Technical Growth: Both companies benefited from learning 4G and demonstrating the real-world value of technology. ● Future Collaboration Opportunities: The vendor recognized that by helping my team during challenging times, they would foster a stronger relationship. The collaboration could lead to future opportunities and projects once the acquisition situation stabilized. ● Strategic Alignment: Because the vendor supported my strategic vision and goals, doing this project was a long-term investment for them. This is where good ‘story telling’ comes into play in a leader’s journey. A post for another day 😉 #LeadershipChallenges #Resourcefulness

This campaign by Ericsson reminded me of my class of 1986 and evolution we witnessed from AMPS to DAMPS and then to GSM, UMTS, LTE and now 5G. "Connection is Everything"................. Indeed! https://lnkd.in/g5SfSBZH

“You are the company you keep.”  My mother used to tell this to me often as a teenager. This nugget of wisdom holds true throughout our lives. As water rises to its own level, people rise to their own environment. Bid farewell to those who thrive on your self-doubt. They’ll unceasingly hunger for your ambition. Instead, do this: Inhabit your circle with those who ignite your inspiration and propel you to unearth your full potential.