Читать книгу Cultural Transformations - Mattone John - Страница 6

THIS BOOK IS THE CULMINATION of years of effort – and a philosophical and career transformation from a data-centric empiricist to a creative strategist. In many ways it is also a statement of personal growth from the constrained and limiting thought process required of a scientist to the realm of possibilities expected of a philosopher.

I want to specifically thank a few people who were instrumental in helping me make this journey.

My mother, Nirmala Vaidya, has been a pillar of support all my life and has always been there for me and the family in every conceivable way, ensuring difficult times pass in care and love. Her dedication to the family and its well-being has been her sole focus in life and she succeeded splendidly despite incredible odds. She gave up career opportunities because her children needed her at home. A mother like that needs to be saluted and revered. I also want to thank my father, Narendra Vaidya, for his unwavering focus on education and his family's well-being.

My three daughters, Ashima, Ahna, and Anika, bring such incredible joy and learning into my life. Without the lessons their presence in my life brings, I would not be evolving as a human being. They are the source of my strength and happiness in life.

The support of my incredibly loving extended family including my two brothers, sisters-in-law, nephews, and niece is the reason that I have crossed some difficult times without faltering along the way. Nitin, Namit, Sharmila, Soumya, Amol, Priyanka, Apoorv, and Avie Vaidya – I love you all and cannot thank you enough for being there.

I want to thank my late grandparents, Raghubir Saran in particular, for embodying values that I cherish and make efforts to live by – integrity, responsibility, and compassion. They are the reason I am part of an absolutely adorable and loving family of uncles, aunts, and cousins who are always there for me.

Thanks go to Suma Nithya and Faisal Kalim – my closest colleagues, partners, and friends whose unyielding support for the cause of our group is critical to its survival, as well as Abryl Acosta, the au pair for my children and a dear friend, without whom I would not be at work even for a single day. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for being there in my life. I would be remiss if I did not thank my long-time friends Dr. Ranvir Singh, Dr. Sunny Singh, Dr. Sanjay Misra, Dr. Steven Sivo, Punita Srivastava, and Vivek Gujral.

I want to thank my friends Joseph Emmett and Ritu Asatkar, who introduced me to the ancient philosophy of the Vedanta and spent hundreds of hours in discourses that have influenced my thinking about leadership and life in general. Without doubt, this book would not have been possible without my co-author John Mattone, whom I cannot thank enough. He took the project by the horns and made it possible during the most difficult time of my life. I owe thanks to every single person he thanks. I want to thank Dr. Victor Wilson, at Texas A&M University – my doctoral advisor and a huge supporter – and Paul DiModica of Value Forward Marketing Group, my executive coach and advisor who helped me make the transition from a statistician to a strategist.

Thanks also go to my business associates and supporters – David Schmoock, president, Dell, Inc., my former boss and mentor; Tariq Shaukat, chief commercial officer, Caesars Entertainment Corporation; and Alex Vratskides, CEO, Upstream – my colleagues at the start of my career with whom I learned the initial set of tricks; Brett Hurt of Hurt Family Foundation, whom I delight in calling a friend and who means a lot to me.

The role of my guests on The CEO Show may not be apparent but is paramount in the development of this book. I could not possibly thank each one of them by name, but they are all in my heart and deserve special thanks. Let me also not forget to thank all the contributors to the CEO magazine and all of my readers. Thank you all.

This acknowledgement would not be complete without thanking Missy, my pet Maltese, who sits by me all day long in the office and keeps me company.

Nick Vaidya