This summer, WashingtonExec is reaching out to successful leaders in government and government contracting to learn more about their habits, experiences and perspectives.
Kay Kapoor is CEO of Arya Technologies LLC, a small company providing end-to-end technology services to the federal government. Her 28 years of experience in government and commercial markets were spent at AT&T, Accenture Federal Services and Lockheed Martin Corp., and she held leadership positions at all three. She has received numerous awards, including the Stevie Award for “Woman of the Year” in business services. Kapoor serves on Harvard’s JFK School of Government Dean’s Council, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs board, and the dean’s council at Johns Hopkins, Carey School of Business.
WashingtonExec: What is on your summer reading list?
Kapoor: This summer, I am reading Colin Powell’s “It Worked for Me.” I am a big fan of Powell and his leadership lessons. The book walks through life and leadership lessons that are simplistic, making it easy for just about anyone to learn from. I also just finished “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling” by Jane Hyun. The book explores the cultural differences between Eastern and Western leadership styles. It offers insights for people with Asian backgrounds into the various degrees of assimilation of Western leadership styles.
Next on my summer reading list is Michael Chertoff’s “Reclaiming our Cyber Security in the Digital Age.” It’s hard to think of a timelier subject for leaders in the technology and federal government arenas.
Finally, I’ve also fallen victim to the world of streaming and binge-watching. I’m hooked on “The Crown” on Netflix. It’s rich with history and fascinating to watch.
WashingtonExec: Tell me about a time in your life when you had to really stretch yourself in order to learn and grow.
Kapoor: When your business career involves increasingly responsible positions, as mine has, you inevitably arrive at a transitional stage where you move from doing the work to supervising the work. And one of the things you learn immediately when you make that transition is that you must continually learn and grow your leadership skills.
I started out as a software developer, then made the transition to management. I quickly learned that managing a multidisciplinary team is not easy, particularly when you know little about disciplines that were not part of your experience or training. Since I came from the technical world, I had to acquire skills and in-depth understanding of disciplines such as finance, human resources, legal, contracts and so on to evolve as a leader.
At one point, I was asked to lead external affairs for all technology matters for a major corporation. I was expected to build relationships across U.S. federal executive and legislative branches and represent our company to leaders in government. Initially, this seemed like a daunting task since I had never operated at that level before. Thankfully, I worked for a boss who was wonderful with coaching and empowerment. He allowed me to truly grow and gain a whole different level of expertise and confidence.
WashingtonExec: If you could go back and give your younger self career and/or life advice, what would you say?
Kapoor: I would tell that young lady that’s it’s OK to take risks and not to overthink it. Also, it’s OK to fail, since it is through our failures that we are able to hone ourselves as better leaders.
Growing up, I was taught that if you performed well and demonstrated loyalty and commitment, you would receive loyalty back. I have now come to learn there’s a balance between blind devotion to company success and individual career success. I would tell my younger self to network hard and seek out purposeful relationships with mentors and sponsors along the way. Luckily for me, I sought out mentors early on, and my mentors have been key to my success.
WashingtonExec: What is your favorite city to visit? What do you enjoy doing there?
Kapoor: I’ve had the good fortune to visit many of the great cities around the world. While I love London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, my personal favorite still remains Washington, D.C. I came into this country as an immigrant. I am fiercely loyal to the country that gave me the opportunity to build a good life here. D.C. reminds me of that every day.
It is the heart of our democracy, and the power is palpable to me. The rich history of our country is on display no matter where you go in D.C. It’s in the buildings and their architecture. It’s in the plethora of museums available to us. The art and culture in D.C. is fabulous. Also, the presence of the international diplomatic corps pushes us to always think globally and paves the way for so many wonderful cuisines and restaurants. Last but not least, we have a vital, thriving technology and innovation industry. D.C. is continually enchanting to me.
WashingtonExec: Tell me about an app, device or type of technology you personally love and why.
Kapoor: After my iPhone, I would have to say I love my Kindle Paperwhite. My favorite apps are those that appeal to my pragmatic side: Weather and Waze. I use both regularly.
