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In a compelling conversation between Joe Diubaldo, Founder & CEO at Clarity Recruitment and Ateet Patel, the Portfolio Manager, Banking at Vencora, we explored key aspects of leadership, talent development, and career progression. Ateet has worked for some very reputable, large organizations including Bell, Accenture, Brookfield, Volaris Group, and now Vencora. In the podcast, he shares his approach to building successful teams, his personal experiences with career challenges, and the critical importance of continued investment in employee development. Dive in to uncover the key takeaways to help guide you on your professional journey and understand the moves you can make to build high-performing teams.
Ateet Patel’s Highlights the Strategic Value of Training and Development
Ateet emphasized that training and development are essential investments that should never be compromised, even during cost-cutting phases. He shared his personal mantra: that the training and development budget must remain intact. For Ateet, this investment is foundational to organizational success, and it’s crucial to long-term growth.
“Back when I was coming up, during cost-cutting, you’d cut everything—travel, perks, and training budgets. I believe cutting training is the absolute worst thing you could do for an organization.”
At Vencora, this belief manifests through a variety of tailored training initiatives. These include a mix of online courses and hands-on learning sessions, structured around succession planning to help employees address skill gaps and grow into leadership roles. Vencora also hosts in-person summits, where team members from different functions (finance, IT, legal, etc.) collaborate and share best practices. These offsite events provide immersive experiences for employees at all levels.
“It’s important to keep our teams up to speed with new trends and evolving industry standards while giving them opportunities to share and grow through networking.”
Career Moves: The Power of Internal Reputation
Ateet reflected on a defining moment early in his career when he felt stuck after being passed over for a promotion. His immediate reaction was to leave the company, but in hindsight, he realized that this may not have been the best move.
“I was frustrated and left quickly, but looking back, I should have been more thoughtful. You underestimate the value of internal reputation, networks, and credibility you’ve built over time.”
While moving to a new role or company can be exciting, Ateet cautioned against undervaluing the relationships and goodwill you’ve cultivated within your current organization. Internal reputation can often ease your path to success, and constantly rebuilding those relationships in new environments is challenging.
However, Ateet also highlighted the importance of using career moves to build what he calls a “tool belt.” This means ensuring that each move, whether internal or external, adds to your overall skill set and helps make you a well-rounded professional.
Learning from Mistakes: Avoiding Regret and Building Resilience
Ateet shared candidly about how certain decisions, like leaving a company prematurely, could have been handled better. However, he emphasized the importance of viewing every challenge as a learning opportunity rather than a mistake.
“There’s no playbook for navigating your career. You’re building your own through trial and error.”
Rather than dwelling on regrets, he believes in focusing on the lessons learned and how they can inform future decisions. His career has been one of constant progression, not because he avoided setbacks, but because he approached them as part of his growth journey.
“You have to go through some of these situations to figure out what you want and don’t want, and how to react to them in the future.”
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome and Asking for Help
Ateet discussed a common challenge faced by many leaders—imposter syndrome, the feeling that you’re not truly qualified for the role you’re in. He explained how ego can sometimes hinder professionals from seeking the support they need to excel.
“People are afraid to ask for help or advice. But my approach is to always seek input, whether it’s from peers, subordinates, or even junior staff. Ego can get in the way, but asking questions will only make you better.”
For Ateet, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a path to improvement. By regularly seeking feedback and engaging his team for insights, he ensures that he’s always learning and refining his approach. This humility, combined with a drive for continuous learning, is what helps him navigate new challenges with confidence.
Focusing on Diversity and Inclusion
Looking ahead, Ateet is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. He believes that diversity is key to addressing gaps that may have existed in the past, and he’s dedicated to ensuring that his leadership approach incorporates this value.
“My goal is to build and lead teams that reflect a broader range of experiences and perspectives, ensuring a more inclusive organizational culture.”
He also reflected on how organizations change over time, and how Joe’s notion of maintaining the “magic” of a great team dynamic requires intentional effort. A special culture can fade if not actively nurtured, and leaders need to be mindful of how to sustain that positive environment.
Building for the Long-Term
These insights serve as a reminder that successful leadership is about more than making decisions—it’s about building a foundation for continuous growth, both for yourself and for your teams. Whether it’s investing in employee development, navigating tough career choices, or overcoming feelings of inadequacy, his experiences offer valuable lessons for professionals at all stages of their careers.
As Ateet puts it, there’s no playbook for leadership, but by focusing on learning, collaboration, and growth, you can create your own path to success.
This interview offers practical and inspiring insights for those looking to enhance their leadership style and navigate the challenges of career progression. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, Ateet Patel’s experiences offer valuable takeaways that can help you build stronger teams and a more successful career trajectory.
Clarity has worked with people like Ateet Patel and numerous C-level executives throughout their hiring and career journeys. If you’re trying to find the high-performing talent you need to build your finance, accounting and data analytics teams, we’re ready to help!
