In this episode, seasoned IT leader Thomas Forkan sharespivotal moments from a 15+ year career modernizing infrastructure across government and retail. Tom opens up about leading during crisis, the power of servant leadership, and learning empathy through personal growth. Listenerswill gain actionable lessons on decision-making under pressure, the importance of compassionate management, and how to translate technology investments into tangible business value. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for IT professionals and leaders seeking to drive meaningful change.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:💡 How to make tough decisions and lead through IT crises✅Why empathy and servant leadership create stronger teams🎯Strategies for aligning IT modernization with real business outcomesKey Quotes:🎤 "In the breach, I’ve got to make command decisions. I’ve got to be the voice in the group of how best to secure us."🎤 "The moment I learned true empathy was becoming a grandfather. I try to coach my team—your family comes first."🎤 "Let’s not chase the shiny toy—use cloud and AI because it’s right for the business, not just because it’s new."Meet The IntervieweeAbout Thomas Forkan:Thomas Forkan is a strategic IT leader with over 15 years of experience driving transformation across both public and private sectors. With a track record of delivering measurable results—including $1.2M+ in cost savings and modernization initiatives for leading retailers—Tom excels in cloud migrations, disaster recovery, and building high-performing teams.Preferred Next Role:Thomas is seeking a senior IT leadership position (remote or in Tampa Bay) where he can lead transformative change, modernize infrastructure, and drive business impact.Referenced Books, Music, or Podcasts:Book: “Leading Geeks” (2003) – a management classic on praise mechanisms and leading technical teams.How to Connect🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-forkan/📧 Email: [email protected]’s Pay-It-Forward MissionWith ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we’d love to hear your story.✔️Want to be featured? Contact us at [email protected]✔️Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them!Let’s build a stronger professional community together.Subscribe & Share✔️ Follow & Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.✔️ Leave a Review to help others find the show.✔️ Share This Episode with colleagues & friends.

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