With over 30 years of leadership experience across industries, Viju Menon, Stryker’s Group President of Global Quality & Operations, is no stranger to the challenges and rewards of leading diverse teams. Viju recently shared key career insights that have shaped his leadership journey, offering advice to professionals seeking growth in their own careers.
1. Embrace change early in your career
Early in his career, Viju faced frequent relocations, and one piece of advice from his manager stuck with him: “The only constant in life is change. Be ready to accept that and adapt quickly. Better yet, learn to enjoy it!”
More than three decades later, this advice has become a guiding principle for Viju, both professionally and personally. His ability to adapt to change has helped him lead teams through complex transformations.
Key takeaway: Learning to embrace change early on can equip you with the resilience needed for long-term success in any industry.
2. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers
One common misconception about leadership is that leaders are expected to know everything. "Leaders don’t have all the answers," Viju emphasizes. Instead, great leadership involves staying humble, being curious and fostering an inclusive environment where team members feel safe to express their ideas and concerns.
This approach not only encourages diverse perspectives but also builds trust within teams, ultimately driving better decision-making. Leaders who create a psychologically safe space enable their teams to innovate and solve problems collaboratively.
Key takeaway: Inclusive leadership, built on curiosity and humility, leads to stronger, more dynamic teams.
3. Taking chances leads to growth
Early in his leadership journey, Viju took on a manufacturing manager role that proved to be a turning point in his career. “I learned more in this role than any other — especially about listening to our frontline team members, building trust and turning their ideas into improvements for our customers.”
This experience deepened his understanding of lean methodologies, which focus on continuous improvement. The lessons learned from this role continue to shape Viju’s leadership style today, reminding him of the importance of frontline insights in driving operational excellence.
Key takeaway: Taking on unconventional roles can lead to invaluable learning experiences that shape your leadership approach.
4. Listen. Learn. Then lead.
When asked what advice he has for professionals looking to step into leadership roles, Viju’s response is simple: “Listen. Learn. Then lead.” These three actions form the foundation of effective leadership, especially in dynamic, fast-paced industries like healthcare.
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