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Bill McDermott, former CEO of SAP and current CEO of ServiceNow, credits his success to playing the long game. He stresses that most people overestimate what they can achieve in the short term but underestimate what’s possible in the long run. Rather than chasing immediate success, McDermott advises taking a forward-thinking approach. He’s constantly asking, "What will we look like in five or ten years?"—and believes that businesses need to invent the future they want, rather than waiting to copy others.
Photo: ServiceNow
This forward-looking mentality shapes his leadership. He sees the future as an opportunity for innovation, ensuring his company stays ahead by predicting customer needs before they arise. McDermott believes in leading from the front, anticipating changes, and setting the path rather than following.
Don’t Just "Go for the Money"
On the flip side, McDermott cites the worst advice he ever received: "Go for the money." He quickly learned that money, while important, should never be the primary motivation. Instead, building relationships, fostering trust, and focusing on long-term, sustainable success leads to true value. Chasing short-term gains can lead to empty victories, but strong relationships endure and open doors for future growth.
A Vision Beyond Today
For McDermott, the key to long-term success lies in focusing on what truly matters—innovation, relationships, and a forward-thinking mindset. His journey is a testament to the fact that looking ahead and avoiding the temptation to chase quick wins allows companies and individuals to achieve their true potential. As McDermott emphasizes, the game isn’t about immediate gains—it’s about building the future.
His experience shows that while financial success may follow, it's the vision and relationships built along the way that make the journey sustainable and meaningful.\
Listen to Bill Mcdermott:
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