The Leader as a Servant: Timeless Wisdom from Resolute CEO Bill Popp

In the tech industry’s relentless pursuit of the next big thing, the most enduring lessons often come back to one truth: people first.

We recently had an enlightening conversation with our CEO, Bill Popp, on the Java + Jargon, powered by Avalon Technologies podcast. Bill, a trailblazer with over 30 years of experience at companies like Dell, Novell, and Lotus, pulled back the curtain on how to lead effectively, how to build resilient teams, and how Resolute Building Intelligence is leveraging AI to build the future.

His message was clear: Great leadership is about serving those you lead.

Leadership Lesson #1: Don’t Be the Smartest in the Room

Bill’s foundational philosophy, inspired by his time working with Michael Dell, is disarmingly simple: "Don't always be the smartest one in the room."

This isn't about modesty; it's a strategic mandate. Bill believes a leader’s primary job is to find and empower people who are experts in their domain. This approach:

• Builds a Stronger Network: He credits his "gigantic" network to celebrating the success of his team members, seeing them advance and "do better than me."

• Fosters Innovation: When you trust your team to lead, they feel empowered to solve problems ahead of time and generate stronger, more specific solutions.

Leadership Lesson #2: The Power of Intentional Listening

In today's high-speed environment, true listening is a rare and powerful skill. Bill admitted this was the "hardest leadership lesson" he had to learn, often relying on his size and volume early in his career.

He now emphasizes that great leaders, citing influences like Ray Norda, Jim Manzi, and Resolute Founder Pete Karmanos, listen really well. The most crucial takeaway here is that when you slow down and let people talk, they usually have the solution. Being a great listener is key to developing your team and creating a culture where everyone’s voice is valued.

Leadership Lesson #3: Family First, Always

Perhaps the most impactful advice Bill shared was on achieving balance: "Don’t ever give up any of your family time for anybody."

His experience, including receiving immense support from his company during difficult personal health challenges, taught him that loyalty and success are built on care. Bill believes that if you have balance and are "good at home, you'll be good at work." For all professionals, regardless of where they are in their career, this message on work-life balance is a vital reminder of what truly matters.

Resolute's Innovation: Smarter Buildings and AI

Leadership is about building the future, and for Bill, that future runs on data. Here’s the number one thing about Resolute Building Intelligence that everyone should know:

• Analytics, Not Control: Resolute is not a hardware company; we are an analytics powerhouse. We capture vast amounts of data from every device in a building (boilers, air conditioners, etc.) and apply machine learning to identify energy leakage and waste. We deliver the diagnosis, empowering facilities teams and trusted partners to enact the fixes.

Bill Popp's journey, influenced by the best in the industry, shows that the core of innovation is the quality of the team you build. By putting people first, we create the clarity and trust needed to solve the industry’s biggest challenges.

About the Podcast: Java + Jargon, powered by Avalon Technologies

Java + Jargon, powered by Avalon Technologies is your transparent, inside track to the world of modern enterprise IT. Hosted by the experts at Avalon Technologies, this podcast cuts through the marketing fluff to deliver honest, down-to-earth discussions on the tools, insights, and stories shaping technology today.

Each episode features leaders and innovators discussing critical topics like AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud Infrastructure, and Digital Transformation, offering real-world perspectives and actionable knowledge for navigating the next wave of tech innovation.