Oliver Chow: On how leadership is essential #podcast #sallyallenpodcast #resilience
Sally with Oliver - Sally Allen Podcast is thrilled to release our 101st episode featuring the remarkable Oliver Chow! Oliver is theΒ ...
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, Light Wonder
Search every verified Oliver Chow interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote β each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Oliver Chow, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Light & Wonder, appeared on the Sally Allen Podcast in late 2024 to discuss leadership, culture, and career development. Chow stated that he prioritizes culture and fit over capabilities when hiring, describing it as "51%" of what he looks for, and said he aims to foster a "high-dynamic team with no ego." He also said he encourages employees at any level to speak up with ideas, adding that he does not care about a person's title or tenure. Chow discussed his approach to leadership, saying he wants to empower his team for their next roles and that he is "never the smartest person in the room," relying on preparation and hard work. He advised young professionals to experiment early in their careers and to find a passion that marries their interests with their work. Chow also noted the importance of surrounding oneself with good people and making decisions as a unified team, even when there is disagreement.
“First and foremost you have to surround yourself with good people.”
“For me culture and fit is probably, I say this in the interview process, it's like 51% β 49% is capabilities and being able to do your job.”
“I want people around me who are respectful, who can challenge you in a respectful way, that we can have fun and not take ourselves too seriously, and hold ourselves accountable.”
“I've been lucky to have taken over a team that by and large was in place when I took over, and they're just great people across the board β that's very rare.”
“One of my core principles is I don't care what your title is or how long you've worked for the company or in an industry β you have something to bring to the table, you have an idea, you have a thought.”
“If you have a good idea, if you have a passion to do something, don't be afraid to raise your hand β don't be afraid to speak up.”
“That's the culture I want to continue to foster: a high-dynamic team with no ego β if you have an ego, you're not a spot on my team β we're all in it to win as a collective.”
“You have to bring people together who have absolutely different experiences, different mindsets, different personalities.”
“When you get onto the pitch or the court we're one team β we move, we make a decision; we may not agree, but we move.”
“I don't care what level you're at or what your experience is β lean into that journey and find a way to provide your stamp on it.”
“I saw my dad do that a lot which stuck with me: how do we drive strategy, how do we drive outcomes for the business, not just count numbers or revenue? That mindset really shaped how I approach finance.”
“Iβm never the smartest person in the room, so for me it was about how do I outwork everyone, prepare and overprepare to be ready for the next step in my career.”
“We work hard, we play hard, but you have to be intentional carving out time for yourself and your family to avoid burnout, especially at senior levels where the weight of responsibility is heavy.”
“Culture and fit is 51% of what I look for in hiring; capabilities are 49%. Having people who are respectful, can challenge you respectfully, and hold themselves accountable makes leadership easier.”
“My responsibility as a leader is to set my team up for their next role, whether it's here or somewhere else. I want to empower them to take my job one day.”
Sally with Oliver - Sally Allen Podcast is thrilled to release our 101st episode featuring the remarkable Oliver Chow! Oliver is theΒ ...
Never underestimate the power of your voice, no matter where you are in your business journey. In our 101st episode, OliverΒ ...
Sally with Oliver - Sally Allen Podcast is thrilled to release our 101st episode featuring the remarkable Oliver Chow! Oliver is theΒ ...
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