Richard Wolodkowicz, Information Technology Project Manager

It's 25 minutes after the hour. Make today count!!

We are joined in our studio today by a gentleman I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing for almost 2 decades. Richard Wolodkowicz is an excellent role model that exemplifies being able to continuously create a balance between his family and his career. Richard has taught me many things that not only enhanced my career in the Information Technology field, but allowed me to develop better interpersonal skills with people relationships. Thanx Richard for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today.

What profession / industry are you in?
Ok that’s a bit tricky, currently I am in the information technology industry supporting the banking industry.

I work in a global investment bank as an Information Technology Project Manager with 8 people reporting to me. We develop applications to support the Compliance department of this global investment bank.

As a successful business person, how did you get started?
Really, this goes back to my college days… I was a math major in college and abhorred the idea of going the statistics tract so I took the Computer option… and the rest as they say is history.

I took a job as a systems analyst in 1986 working for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation and never left IT.

How did you learn what it takes to succeed?
I don’t know for sure that I know what it takes to succeed. I’ve been very lucky in my career; I’ve always worked hard and done what’s been asked of me and somehow it all turned out for the good.

If you believe that “luck is the residue of design” I can attribute any success I have to my work ethic and my focus. Hard work never goes unnoticed and managers appreciate hard working employees as it makes their job easier.

Add to this that as learning beings our experience is a huge contributor, I’ve learned what I like from the good managers, and how not to behave from the poor managers.

What family activities do you enjoy?
All of them! With two boys I find any sports related activity is always fun, my daughter has taught me that bottle-feeding her “baby” is still a dad’s job… But my favorite family activity is dinner. It’s the time for everybody to share their experiences and get reacquainted.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
There was a time when an answer to this question would include things like Golf (I love golf), fishing, pleasure reading, or even a little bit of television, but currently, all of my spare time is filled with schoolwork. I have always loved to learn and a degree is just another way to formalize study time.

Learning has always been foremost in my endeavors so it is currently the thing I like to do with my spare time.

What are your concerns about the world today?
Outsourcing. Period. End of sentence. My greatest concern today is outsourcing. Not because of the off shoring of work to places like India, Russia or the Phillipines. These are industrious countries seeking to improve their own status. My concern stems from the question “What will the United States become?”

We started the industrial revolution. When low cost providers like, the far east, emerged, we became a service industry. Now we are outsourcing that service component to other low cost providers. What will the United States become when this is outsourced?
If you had all the time and all the money you needed, what types of things would you do? Consider money as no object.
First, I’d complete my education, with no concern for work or tuition reimbursement. I’d buy two homes, one on the beach and one in the mountains, I’d establish college educations for all my children, and then with a clear mind I would start my own business.

With three children, feeding those little mouths comes first, and for me, the best way to do this is with the security of a job. However, if money were no object, I would certainly open my own business.

If you were to ask “what type of business?” well this is a little different. I don’t have all the specifics… It would have to be a consulting business so I could set my hours.

Are there any tips or advice you would like to offer people?
Find a mentor! Mentors are key to your success. They help by providing a sounding board, act as neutral observers, and should be both open and honest with you. These people will help you rationalize your thoughts and feelings.

Second, I talk about feelings, now this may sound strange, but in the business world you must be in touch with your feelings. What does this mean? If you understand your emotional position, you can better control it. Conversely, if you understand your opponent’s emotional position you can move them in your direction.

Who is your favorite sports team?
I have always been a faithful football fan, and to that end I have followed the Dallas Cowboys continuously. I grew up in a time when the Cowboys were consistent winners and as a young impressionable child, my admiration for the team has only grown.
After all, consider the fact that Jerry Jones (the Cowboys Owner) is a financial genius. In a time when the National Football League would not allow teams to serve any soda other than Coke in their stadiums, due to a contractual agreement; Jerry Jones was the first owner to separate the Stadium from the Team and contract Pepsi with the Stadium, not the Cowboys. Loophole? Maybe! Outside the spirit of the contract? Possibly! Genius? Definitely!

Add to this that the team is a perennial winner, and how could you not love the ‘boys?

Are people more interesting than product stories?
People make product stories, so Yes, people are more interesting that product stories. There will always be the story of the man who invented the widget, and Yes the widget is mildly interesting but it’s the work that went into the product, the personal struggle for success, the human factor and the will the achieve that is valuable.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future?
Currently, I’m pursuing a Doctorate of Management so all my future goals begin with Doctor. Once I complete my degree, my primary objective will be to harvest that education through the appropriate marketing and sale of my dissertation (I wish I could talk more on this but it will have to wait).
The appropriate harvesting of my education should lead to improved opportunities, modified employment, and yes, hopefully, more money.

What obstacles do you have overcome to achieve your goals?
I think the biggest obstacle is time. I need a 36 hour day, time for everyone who requires it like the children, time for work, time for leisure, time for school, time to plan, time to execute.

Which people have been role models to you?
Role models aren’t hard to find in my life. Somehow, I have always found someone whom I could emulate.

During my first job out of college, I met a man whose leadership skill was evident (at least to me.) An educated man, with a strong personality, whose military background enhanced his inborn leadership traits; a leader in both business and his personal life.

This man has many leadership qualities; to this day, I still use him as a mentor in various different situations. I think the first leadership quality that I identified in him was the fact that he took initiative; he never shied from a challenge and always rose to meet it. He is transformational and boundaryless. I couldn’t think of a stronger person.

My wife is another, I’ve learned that there is no harder job than that of a stay-at-home mom. She inspires me!

Oh, the transformational leader above is Carl E. Reid.

What are your favorite books, computer programs, or forms of entertainment?
As much as I like to read my favorite form of entertainment is television and movies. I just love a good movie. Unfortunately at this time, I haven’t watched television for over a year due to my current school work.

When I do find the time for pleasure reading, my favorites are real life stories, fiction only mildly entertains me. Books I enjoy run the gamut from Richard Feynman (Nobel Physicist) to Leading with the Heart by Coach Mike Krzyzewski, to any real life mafia related history book.

What time of the day are you at your best?
I function best in the morning. I’m at my peak at the start of the day and seem to slowly wind down as the day progresses. Some of this is the influence of work, some of it the influence of children, some of it just a natural process, but I get my best work done before lunch.