Leaders at Equinix: Jac Mathews

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Leading Through Listening

In this edition of "Leaders at Equinix: Empower, Elevate, & Evolve," we have the privilege of delving into the leadership insights of Jac Mathews, Global Operations Sustainability Director at Equinix. Jac shares his experiences and lessons learned as a leader, emphasizing the importance of active listening, continuous learning, and driving sustainable practices. Join us as we gain valuable insights from Jac's leadership journey at Equinix.

Reflecting on his hardest leadership lesson, Jac highlights the significance of actively listening to others. He learned that as a leader, his role is more about listening first and then influencing others to implement solutions. Jac states, "Influencing is easier when you listen first." This lesson has helped him build trust with key stakeholders and drive better outcomes by involving others in the decision-making process. "As a leader, your role is more about actively listening to others to validate or co-create solutions rather than telling people how to do their job. In the business world, solving a problem is only half the journey. Convincing people and taking them along to implement the solution is equally important," says Jac.

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Valuable Resources

When asked about the most impactful book, podcast, or leadership course he has learned from, Jac mentions two valuable resources. The first is "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman, which explores cognitive biases and their impact on decision-making. This book has helped Jac become aware of biases and develop mechanisms to resist them, both at work and in his personal life. The second resource is "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter" by Liz Wiseman, which delves into different leadership styles and how they can amplify the intelligence and capabilities of a team. Jac aspires to be a "multiplier" who empowers and amplifies the impact of those around him.

Learnings from an Impactful Mentor

Jac's most impactful mentor had a remarkable ability to decipher shifts in business strategy and connect them to the team's goals. "I feel lucky to have found a great mentor very early in my career when I was working as a structural engineer," says Jac. This mentor painted the bigger picture, explaining the strategic rationale for change and inspiring curiosity about strategy in Jac. This experience eventually led him to pursue an MBA with a focus on business strategy. The important lesson Jac learned from his mentor was the value of understanding the strategic context and aligning it with the team's objectives.

Legacy as a Leader

As a leader, Jac wants to be remembered for his lasting impact in the realm of sustainability at Equinix and the wider industry. "During this extraordinary transformational phase for our industry, keeping focused on scaling sustainability is an exciting challenge," states Jac. Additionally, Jac aims to be remembered as someone who multiplied the capabilities and impact of people around him through an empathetic leadership approach.

At Equinix, one of our biggest priorities is the health and wellbeing of our global employees. We ended our chat with Jac by asking him to share some wellness tips to inspire the broader Equinix fam to strengthen their focus on personal wellbeing. "Having clarity on priorities, whether it is work or personal, is key. Pacing your career is another aspect to consider - sometimes you have to sprint, and at other times it may be better to jog. Also, finding a purpose in your career helps to stay motivated," he shares.

Stay tuned for the next installment of our interview series as we dive into more insights and lessons from our inspiring Equinix leaders!

Influencing is easier when you listen first.

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