Top Gun 51 Profile: Rackspace’s Michael Stephens: ‘We Have Come a Long Way During My Tenure’
… who we wanted to be from a channel program perspective. While building a world-class team on an inspiring mission, we started building a fanatical channel ecosystem. This ecosystem of priority, high-propensity partners is now a significant driver to our channel program and its associated growth.
CF: What main channel goals have you accomplished during your Rackspace Technology tenure so far?
MS: We have come a long way during my tenure and could not be more proud of the channel team and all the extended team members who lean in and contribute day in and day out. The first goal was to create a winning team. We have a very selective process to ensure each leader we add is a perfect fit for the employees themselves, the Rackspace team, and also our channel and partner culture. We all needed to align on skill, will and attitude. And while we are always evolving, we have created quite a channel family that we believe is a desired destination of talent.
A second channel goal was to achieve deep relationships with the top partners in the channel. We can’t be successful if our partners aren’t front and center for everything we do. Every day we work to create a fanatical and inviting experience when aligning and selling with Rackspace Technology. These two goals all contribute to our final objective, which is, of course, to drive profitable growth for Rackspace
CF: What makes a channel program successful, and why?
MS: A successful channel program must put partners front and center. Each and every day, we work to make the interactions and experiences with the Rackspace Technology channel a positive one. You can have great products, but if you don’t align internal culture, focus and processes to be partner-focused, then the program will ultimately underperform or even fail. Success feeds success with this channel. Align well with partners, establish trust, make the partner successful in selling and supporting their customers, and growth will follow. This channel has proven countless times that with changes in industries, supplier programs, technology and business needs, relationships matter and partners will always win in the market.
CF: What is your philosophy on leadership?
MS: Team is everything. Take responsibility and do what you say you are going to do. Lead with empathy and the more you serve others, the more likely success will follow, in my experience. Lastly, I try to focus on recognition. Every opportunity taken to recognize a job well done is so important. Positivity is infectious and people like to know their contributions are appreciated and contribute to the team or company goals.
CF: What led you to that philosophy?
MS: Early in my career, I was very driven on results at any cost. I was able to deliver on my word, which has always been important to me. But one day pretty early on, a mentor of mine at the time asked me a question: “How much fun are you to work for and with?” It was a shock to think about the fact that I probably had been misplaying my journey to success up until that point. Ever since that day, I have tried to lead with empathy, consider other perspectives and …
