“Success is not about the act of achieving a set of goals,” says Dr Tyrone Grandison, the Chief Technology Officer—App Innovation, Infrastructure, & Security—Global ISVs + Digital Natives at Microsoft. For him, success is a combination of the process of defining specific and ambitious targets, creating a supportive and safe environment for growth and innovation, and appreciating the lessons learned, positive and negative, as one travels the chosen paths to achieve one’s aspirations.
Tyrone further emphasizes the importance of not only the “why”, but also the “how” in achieving goals. It’s crucial to clearly define the values that guide your actions and the boundaries that ensure ethical and equitable progress for everyone involved. Success can, and should, mean achieving the initial objectives with integrity, learning from unforeseen paths, and even refining one’s assumptions, beliefs, or even original objectives.
Tyrone exemplifies exceptional adaptability. In his life so far, he’s ventured into unfamiliar territory repeatedly and thrived through his enthusiasm, courage, confidence, and willingness to learn and adjust.
Positioned among the “Top 10 Most Influential Black Executives to Follow in 2024,” Tyrone proved that being a person of color transcends boundaries to redefine excellence. In an unequivocal and free-spoken interaction, he shared fascinating narratives of his journey till now. The interview reveals the cardinal techniques of his leadership brilliance. As you read on the interview, prepare to be inspired by a visionary who rises above expectations and motivates others. Walk along with him to discover a path that may lead you to a similar destination.
Challenges as Stepping Stones
Tyrone perceives challenges as opportunities to grow. They force him to confront his fears and limiting beliefs directly. He believes that these obstacles can spark creativity or solidify outdated ways of thinking.
Early in his career, this adept professional diligently sought feedback from management, constantly adapting his behavior and exceeding established goals. However, his efforts were met with consistently poor evaluations. This experience revealed two crucial insights. First, people’s actions reflect their underlying beliefs and biases. No amount of external evidence can easily change their established worldview. Second, understanding human behavior is a critical skill. By becoming fluent in behavioral analysis, Tyrone learned to discern people’s true intentions, recognize situations where his value wasn’t appreciated, and know when it was time to move on.
A string of subpar managers led Tyrone to prioritize finding a work environment that aligned with his needs and established clear expectations with leadership. This experience ultimately led him to become the manager he always wished for, one that fosters a high-trust, empathetic, and collaborative team culture. He believes this kind of environment, with its emphasis on psychological safety, is the key to achieving even the most ambitious goals.
Many Hats, One Vision: Tyrone’s Diverse Portfolio
This seasoned executive is a versatile professional with experience in both established corporations and enterprising startups. Some of his other affiliations and their services are as follows:
- Microsoft: This tech titan (headquartered in Redmond, Washington) is on a mission to fuel progress for everyone. They achieve this by creating software, services, and devices that make our lives easier and richer and open up a world of possibilities. Tyrone’s Industry and Partner Solutions team plays a key role in this mission. They focus on empowering Microsoft’s global partners to develop and unleash the full potential of innovative Azure-based solutions.
- MStreetX: It is a FinTech company focused on local communities. It aims to level the playing field for small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools they need to succeed. MStreetX uses artificial intelligence (AI) to connect small businesses with the most suitable funding options for their needs. Its platform ensures all businesses have a chance to be seen and supported by their local community. MStreetX’s core product is the Capital Access Application Tool (CAAT). One of the co-founders, Tyrone, leads the technology team as the Chief Technology Officer.
- Hodos Health: Another startup Tyrone co-founded is Hodos Health. This innovative platform helps patients and healthcare providers manage chronic illnesses by offering systematic care pathways and addressing chronic disease’s emotional and cognitive aspects. Tyrone holds the position of Chief Technology Officer at Hodos Health.
- Olfactive Biosolutions: Headquartered in California, this firm employs cutting-edge technology that utilizes the receptors in both the nose and tongue to assess a variety of consumer products, prototypes, ingredients, flavors, and fragrances. Clients receive precise insights into how consumers will perceive their products through their proprietary lab process. By juxtaposing these findings against established benchmarks, the team can quantify the nuances and distinctions in tastes and aromas. Unlike conventional language models, which rely on textual data, olfactory language models draw insights from olfactory and taste receptor data. Over time, these models are poised to grasp the intricacies of taste and smell, understanding their grammar and linguistic nuances. Tyrone serves as an AI Advisor for the company.
- Dune Security: A startup, Dune Security, created the Employee Security Posture Management Solution. This system uses artificial intelligence to personalize cybersecurity training based on employees’ behavior and risk category. Tyrone brings his expertise as a CISO advisor to the table.
Proven Skills and Values
Tyrone’s background in software engineering, computer security, data science, and data privacy makes him a valuable asset to any company he works with. His experience has shaped his core principles for navigating his career authentically.
These principles focus on a select number of values, i.e. clarity and purpose, trust and transparency, empathy, curiosity and lastly positive intent. The first one ensures everyone involved understands the goals and their role in achieving them. The second one revolves around building a safe and high-trust work environment. Curiosity is about encouraging open-mindedness and a willingness to fail and learn from those failures. Considering the perspectives and needs of all stakeholders. a safe and high-trust work environment vouch for empathy, while positive intent underlines assuming good intentions and seeking context before drawing conclusions.
As a CTO, Tyrone applies these principles to see the bigger picture and optimize for everyone’s benefit. This means supporting colleagues in complex situations so that their partners succeed, ultimately leading to a profitable partner and a profitable Microsoft. He describes this as ” getting to the root cause of issues, creating a safe atmosphere for risk-taking, learning, and growth, and coaching team members to the creation of differentiated and innovative solutions.”
How Tyrone Crafts a Winning Team Culture: Integrity & Innovation
It isn’t just a group; it’s a well-oiled machine. Tyrone’s team thrives on a foundation of clearly defined expectations. Together, they nail down how they’ll support one another, consistently deliver excellence, and approach their work. This creates a shared understanding that fosters accountability, ultimately leading to the construction of an environment of high integrity.
Tyrone emphasizes that the team’s work constantly challenges the constraints and assumptions of even the most successful technologies. They’re not just working in tech; they’re in the business of innovation. As a result, their daily actions naturally lead to the evolution and transformation of processes and technologies.
Tech Trajectory: From Kingston to Redmond
Tyrone’s tech journey did not begin in a Silicon Valley garage but in his childhood home in Jamaican hometown of Kingston. Even as a high schooler, his entrepreneurial spirit bloomed as he built custom software for local businesses, from movie rentals to hotels. This “mom-and-pop” apprenticeship became the foundation for his future success.
Education and hustle were always intertwined for Tyrone. Ambitious and hardworking, he balanced a demanding academic schedule, eventually earning First Class Honors in Computer Science and Economics, with a summer job maintaining bank software. His work ethic mirrored that of his parents, hardworking lower middle-class business owners.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Tyrone pursued a Master’s in Software Engineering from the University of the West Indies. He briefly shared his expertise by teaching at Jamaican universities before venturing to Imperial College London for a PhD in Computer Science.
Three years later, Tyrone found himself working alongside a legend, Rakesh Agrawal, the “Father of Data Mining,” at IBM Research in California. After exploring diverse roles at IBM, he embarked on a dynamic path, launching his own consulting firm and backing a few startups.
Public service and using data for good became strong pulls for this philanthropic-minded trailblazer. He joined the Obama Administration, playing a key role in their open data initiatives. He then served as the first Chief Information Officer for the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, streamlining internal IT and creating the institute’s first mobile app.
Years later, Tyrone’s commitment to data-driven policy change led him to a non-profit. A chance encounter with a former colleague, now at Microsoft, sparked a conversation that ultimately led to his exciting journey at the tech giant.
Navigating the Tech Landscape as a Person of Color
The tenacious journey of this pioneering leader of color in the tech industry is a testament to both his talent and perseverance. He acknowledges the harsh reality: America’s racial issues inevitably translate into the professional sphere. Despite his achievements, Tyrone has been mistaken for support staff at high-level meetings where he was, in fact, the speaker or leader. These microaggressions highlight how biases linger, even in sophisticated environments.
However, this resilient executive hasn’t let these obstacles define him. He actively uplifts others, dedicating time to mentor and coach Black, Hispanic, and female tech professionals. He views his success as a platform to empower others, readily sharing his knowledge and experience. His greatest joy comes from witnessing his community thrive.
Tyrone aspires to leave a legacy that transcends his accomplishments. He wants to be remembered as someone who genuinely “cared for them, was there for them, and helped them help someone else.”
The Most Profound Impact as A Leader: Beyond Recognition
For Tyrone, the most profound recognition as a leader transcended awards or titles. It came in the form of a simple invitation. Years after his guidance, a mentee invited him to speak at her university. But it was her introduction that truly resonated. With each colleague and peer, she introduced him by name and with a powerful statement: “This is Dr. Tyrone, he changed my life.” This doyen considers it as his best recognition. In his words, “I was just being myself and being of help to her.” Yet the impact he had was life-altering.
Tyrone’s Ambition: A Ripple Effect
This strategic thinker aspires to three interconnected goals: leaving a larger global footprint, creating more positive change, and empowering others to drive change themselves. He’s flexible in how he makes these things happen – focusing on achieving the overall impact.
Taming the Microsoft Multiverse: A CTO’s Day on the Edge
Forget the 9-to-5! As a CTO for a global partner portfolio at Microsoft, Tyrone’s day is a whirlwind of championship, leadership, North Star navigation, and ensuring flawless execution.
Every day is a fresh adventure. Sure, there are core tasks and strategic climbs, but escalations erupt like unexpected geysers, seasonal activities keep things fresh, and impromptu issues spark on-the-fly conversations.
The key? Ruthless prioritization with a foundation of solid principles. Tyrone wrangles his time like a chess grandmaster, ensuring every second gets strategically maximized to make a real impact.
Mastering Equipoise: Tyrone’s Work-Life Harmony and Motivational Magic
Work hard, play hard? Maybe not. For this adept executive, the secret lies in respecting boundaries. He makes it crystal clear to his team that evenings, weekends, and PTO are sacrosanct – no expectation of being glued to devices. It’s a two-way street, too; even Tyrone gets the occasional nudge to unplug (we all do it!).
So, what fuels their fire? Tyrone emphasizes the power of shared commitment. Delivering on promises and fostering a culture of learning and innovation are the cornerstones of the team’s success. They hold each other accountable, not just for tasks, but for respecting that crucial work-life balance. It’s a mantra that keeps everyone motivated and at their best.
Personal Passions and a Message to Rising Leaders
Work isn’t everything, not even for a high-powered CTO! He has his sights set on reigniting his passion for Latin dance, expressing his creativity with poetry, and capturing the world through the lens of photography. These hobbies are his fuel, reminding him of life outside the boardroom.
Now, for the aspiring leaders out there, Tyrone has a powerful message. “Don’t give up; curate a tribe of coaches and sponsors, and be clear on your principles.” These guiding lights will propel them forward on their journey to the top.
