Growing Up Between Two Worlds
When I was a kid living in Moscow, I never imagined I would someday build a career in technology in the United States. My world changed completely at age eleven when my parents and I left Russia during a time of political uncertainty. We spent months traveling through Austria, Germany, and Italy, living out of suitcases and trying to adapt to each new temporary home. Those months felt endless, and although I didn’t fully understand what was happening, I knew we were chasing something better.
Looking back now, I see how those early experiences shaped the way I approach leadership and problem-solving. As a child, living between worlds taught me how to stay flexible, how to adjust quickly, and how to observe carefully. I learned early that things rarely go as planned, but there is always a way through. Those lessons stay with you for life.
Learning English One Word at a Time
When we finally arrived in San Jose, I stepped into a fifth-grade classroom without knowing a single word of English. I remember sitting at my desk listening to an entire lesson that felt like noise. It was overwhelming. Kids my age were joking and playing while I tried to decode basic instructions.
I carried a small dictionary everywhere. Every spare moment I translated words and repeated them to myself. Progress was slow at first, but eventually something clicked, and within a year I was speaking fluently.
That experience taught me perhaps the most important lesson of my life: persistence turns fear into skill. Every time I lead a team through a major system migration or support a new group during an acquisition, I think back to that kid learning English word by word. Big challenges never move all at once. They move inch by inch, through steady and consistent effort.
Building Resilience Through Uncertainty
Growing up as an immigrant meant navigating situations I couldn’t control. My parents worked long hours in jobs far below their skill level, and money was always tight. We were figuring out a new country together. There were no shortcuts or comfort zones.
This kind of uncertainty forces you to build resilience early. You learn not to panic when things change suddenly because you have lived through real instability. You learn how to stay calm when the future seems unclear. That mindset has helped me tremendously in IT leadership.
Technology environments shift constantly. Systems fail. Vendors pivot. Security threats evolve. Projects face setbacks. When you have lived through big transitions as a child, these challenges feel more manageable. You learn to approach them with patience and determination instead of anxiety.
Finding My Path Through Curiosity
Even during the toughest years of adapting to life in America, one thing kept me grounded: curiosity. I fell in love with cars and computers at the same time, spending hours taking things apart and putting them back together.
My curiosity became my guide. It pulled me into technical work, then into leadership. It also taught me that learning is a continuous process. The more I grew professionally, the more I realized that successful IT leadership isn’t just about knowing technology. It is about understanding people, building trust, and creating environments where teams can grow.
Curiosity helped me become comfortable with change. It kept me open to new ideas. When you stay curious, you stay adaptable, and adaptability is essential in the digital workplace.
Leading With Empathy
One of the biggest impacts of my early experiences is how they shaped my empathy. When you arrive in a country without the language, culture, or familiar support systems, you develop a deep understanding of what it feels like to be overwhelmed. You learn how much it means when someone takes the time to help you feel included.
Years later, when I became responsible for global IT support teams, that empathy became central to my leadership style. I pay close attention to the struggles people face. I try to understand what’s behind frustration or burnout. I ask questions before giving answers.
In our digital work environments, empathy is becoming more important, not less. Teams are spread across time zones. Tools evolve constantly. Pressure to deliver is high. People need leaders who listen and who recognize the human side of technical work.
Empathy doesn’t slow progress. It accelerates it because people perform better when they feel supported.
Turning Challenges Into Strengths
I often think about how much my childhood shaped the way I navigate modern IT challenges. The same resilience that came from starting over in a new country helps me manage high-pressure projects. The same adaptability I learned through constant change helps me stay steady during digital transformations. The same empathy that grew from feeling like an outsider helps me build strong, connected teams.
These qualities are becoming essential for all tech leaders. Today’s workplace requires agility, emotional intelligence, and the ability to guide people through uncertainty. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, but it will always be people who drive innovation.
Leaders who understand that human experience is as important as technical expertise will be the ones who succeed.
Moving Forward With Purpose
I sometimes reflect on that long journey from Moscow to Silicon Valley and how different my life could have been. Those early challenges were difficult, but they gave me a foundation I rely on every day. They remind me to stay grounded, stay grateful, and stay focused on empowering the people I lead.
The digital world will only keep changing, and teams will continue to face new demands. What remains constant is the value of resilience, adaptability, and empathy. These traits, shaped by our experiences, prepare us to lead with strength and compassion.
No matter how advanced our tools become, leadership will always start with the human story behind the technology. My own story began with uncertainty, but it taught me how to guide others through change. And that, more than anything, is what makes this work meaningful.