Yousif Asfour serves as the Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at American University of Beirut. With a background in hardware engineering and international IT leadership, Yousif brings a unique perspective to driving IT innovation in higher education. He is co-author of the book “From Geek to Lead: A Techie’s Guide to Leadership” and has extensive experience in bridging cultural gaps in global IT organizations.
How can IT leaders navigate cultural differences and drive innovation in global organizations? In this episode, Yousif Asfour, Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at American University of Beirut, shares his journey from hardware engineering to international IT leadership. Yousif offers insights on cross-cultural communication, the importance of relationships in leadership, and strategies for driving technological transformation in higher education.
Leadership is about presence, guiding the team, and removing obstacles.
02:01 – Introduction to Yusuf and American University of Beirut
04:15 – Yusuf’s role as Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer
11:04 – Cultural differences in leadership between the US and Middle East
19:28 – Inspiration behind writing “From Geek to Lead”
24:17 – Yusuf’s perspective on the role of a leader
30:37 – Advice for individual contributors looking to move into management
36:46 – Yusuf’s background and journey in technology
46:53 – Parting advice for listeners on IT leadership
