Beyond Code: How Curiosity & Relationships Forge Top Tech Leaders with Jim Graham & Melissa Flicek (Part Two)

In Part Two, of this dynamic discussion, Richard Walker challenges tech executives Melissa Flicek and Jim Graham to reveal practical strategies for driving organizational change. Melissa shares her Medtronic breakthrough—creating an illustrative prototype that won over skeptical Australian leaders ("I don't care if it's fake—it's better than what I have!")—demonstrating her "start with the willing" approach to transformation. Jim unpacks his stakeholder analysis framework: leveraging peer insights to identify innovators versus laggards while strategically importing cross-industry talent to "rattle cages.”

The trio debates high-stakes leadership dilemmas, from cultural upheaval responses ("Some make change happen, some watch, some wonder what hit them") to influencing through business fluency. Richard delivers hard truths about shifting global tech hiring—including how nearshoring trends are halving opportunities for U.S. graduates—while reflecting on relationship equity as his networking lifeline. His career advice to a struggling grad ("Your net worth mirrors your network") sparks raw wisdom, including personal mantras: Say yes to every opportunity, treat all people equally, and maintain insatiable curiosity.

Closing with powerful final thoughts—Melissa's call to "authentically invest in partnerships," Jim's "stay curious" ethos, and Richard's advocacy for human-centric leadership—this episode equips listeners to turn resistance into momentum through prepared prototyping, stakeholder mapping, and relentless relationship-building.