In the first episode of Akoni Tech Talks, The Dubai Mini Series podcast, we sit down with Craig Alexander, an industry veteran whose career in the technology and leadership space is nothing short of inspiring. Craig takes the audience through the early stages of his career, shares his insights on leadership and transformation, and offers advice for aspiring leaders in tech. 

How did Craig first get started in the field? 

Craig joined his first organisation after university as part of an undergraduate trainee scheme with a company called Powergen, which later became part of E.ON, a large energy organisation. He was recruited into the IT team and quickly became one of the most trained graduates in the company’s history. However, he struggled to learn programming, which made it clear that coding wasn’t for him. 

After about 18 months, he was assigned to a completely different project. There was a reorganisation taking place, and they needed a graduate to help. That was when Craig first got the buzz for project management. It wasn’t long before he knew that this was the path he wanted to pursue. 

Craig spent four years with the company, working on various projects. It was a very positive, formative experience that taught him valuable lessons about leadership, transformation, and working with a variety of people. 

What were some of the pivotal moments or challenges Craig faced earlier in his career? 

There were many positive moments, but one of the biggest challenges came after two and a half years of success. Craig became complacent and made a mistake on a project that had some profound consequences for a customer. While it wasn’t anything too serious, it was an important learning experience. 

What was really telling was how the organisation supported him through that period. His line managers believed in his capabilities, saw the mistake as a one-off, and gave him the opportunity to prove himself again. He went on to work on a very important government project that restored his confidence.  

That experience taught Craig never to get complacent and always be aware of the impact of his work. It also showed him how valuable good leadership and support can be during challenging times. 

How did Craig’s leadership style develop, and what advice would he give to aspiring leaders? 

Only recently did Craig realise that his leadership style was shaped by the support and trust he received in those early years. The belief that he was capable of more than he thought really stuck with him. This was the style he later adopted when he became a leader himself.  

As a leader, Craig focuses on empowering his team, giving them trust, and encouraging them to push beyond their limits. He had excellent mentors and exposure to senior individuals, which gave him the confidence to take on bigger roles. When he became a leader himself, he realised that the behaviours he exhibited were very much aligned with what he had seen in his early career. 

How does Craig guide businesses through complex digital transformation? 

Craig believes that digital transformation can feel overwhelming, but it always starts with understanding the ‘why’. Whether it’s from senior executives or the client’s organisation, it’s crucial to understand the purpose behind the transformation. Once that’s clear, the people become the focal point. 

In his experience, the technology or processes are less challenging than managing the people involved. The key to success in any transformation is ensuring that people are supported and that everyone understands their role and the bigger picture. 

What emerging technologies have had the most transformative impact on businesses in recent years? 

In his roles, Craig has worked closely with technology, but he’s never been particularly technical himself. He’s always had clever, technical people around him, which has allowed him to focus on the bigger picture rather than the specifics of how technology works.  

That said, the technologies that have had the most transformative impact tend to focus on improving customer and employee experience, such as automation, workflow management, and enterprise systems. Technologies that enable organisations to ‘shift left’—where more work is pushed to the front of the process—have also had very positive outcomes. For example, enabling users to reset their own passwords rather than relying on support teams frees up valuable time for higher-value work. 

Looking ahead, what does Craig think leaders should focus on in terms of tech trends? 

The rise of AI is a major topic right now. There’s a lot of scaremongering about the impact of AI on jobs, but Craig believes it will make people more effective rather than replacing them altogether. AI can take over low-value tasks, allowing people to focus on higher-value work and deliver better outcomes. 

As leaders, Craig advises being mindful of people’s fears and concerns, especially given how quickly technology is changing. Just like with previous industrial revolutions, new technologies often lead to more job creation than job loss, although the fear of change is very real. Leaders need to address these concerns, offer support, and guide their teams through these transformations. 

What strategies does Craig use to nurture his team’s potential? 

Craig always starts by assuming that his team members are smarter than him. Whether they’re new to the team or experienced, they’ve earned their place, and his role is to steer, guide, and provide support when needed.  

He believes it’s essential to understand each individual’s motivations and drivers, as these are not always related to the role they’re doing. Sometimes, people may outgrow their current role, and that’s okay. Encouraging growth, whether within the organisation or outside of it, is important.  

Craig also creates a balance between personal and professional goals, which he believes can be incredibly powerful. He encourages his team to set personal objectives as part of their performance targets, ensuring that they continue to grow as individuals while also meeting organisational needs. 

How does Craig maintain calm in high-pressure situations? 

In high-pressure situations, such as managing a major incident or finalising a project before go-live, Craig believes it’s crucial to remain authentic and consistent in your behaviour. If you’ve empowered and trusted your team, they will see that same level of trust and calm even in tough times. This creates a relaxed environment where people can focus on the task at hand, rather than panicking. 

Humour also plays a part. Sometimes, during quieter moments in high-pressure situations, lightening the mood can help keep things in perspective. It’s all about managing the situation calmly, so the team feels confident and can move forward effectively. 

What area in tech excites Craig most at the intersection of tech and business? 

Looking ahead, Craig is particularly excited about how technology can help address ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. There are so many opportunities, from responsible asset management to nature data and sustainable power initiatives.  

The tech industry plays a huge role in driving positive change in these areas, and it’s something Craig is increasingly focused on for the future. 

If Craig could give his younger self one piece of advice about breaking into the industry, what would it be? 

Craig’s advice would be to follow your passion, not just what you think will lead to a stable career. He made the mistake of choosing a degree he thought would lead to the job he wanted, only to end up doing something completely different. Ultimately, though, it’s been a fulfilling journey, and he would tell others to study what they truly enjoy. Pursue what excites you, because that’s where you’ll find true success. 

Listeners can stay tuned for more inspiring conversations with industry leaders in future episodes of the Dubai Mini Series Podcast. Tune in to Akoni Tech Talks for the full conversation – available on Spotify Podcasts,Apple Podcasts and YouTube.