Business Management Review: Speials Magazine

Rick Wood has always been drawn to what lies beyond the expected. For him, innovation begins with the curiosity to question convention and explore new possibilities. This mindset has carried through his professional journey, from building advanced telecommunications systems to developing technologies aimed at addressing challenges in energy and food. Building Beyond The Conventional Wood’s instinct to look beyond the expected emerged early in his career. With a degree in finance, he initially planned to become a banker but soon realized it wasn’t for him. He turned instead to advanced telecommunications technology, where he went on to build three technology companies. Wood’s first company offered advanced telecommunications capabilities and services, including software-based technology that operated on a Harris Corporation telecommunications switch. Later, he applied that technology to a fulfillment operation that allowed businesses to log into a system in real time, monitor orders and process them efficiently. Energy became the next frontier. Wood saw the space beginning to expand, particularly around solar, wind and other renewable technologies, and became intrigued by what could be discovered and developed. It was no longer simply a job. He could not wait to get to work and unleash his potential. Learning To Lead By Teaching While building and leading technology companies, Wood learned to turn ideas into action by guiding his teams. He views leadership as a form of teaching: leaders must clearly explain their vision so others can understand and carry it forward. “If any of them don’t get it, you fail,” he says. “The more clearly a leader can communicate an idea, the better the team can understand it and perform.” Leadership also demands speed. Leaders are presented with large amounts of information and must process it quickly while keeping the team moving toward its goals. Wood believes that ability requires nimbleness and