Cover Story
The Cardoso File
Smart Business Pittsburgh | November 2006
Born: Luanda, Angola
Education:
Master’s degree in management, Hartford Graduate Center (a satellite of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); bachelor’s degree, business, Fairfield University
First job:
Working in a factory for minimum wage. First job out of college; management training program at ConDiesel
Whom do you admire most in business and why?
Larry Bossidy, former CEO of AlliedSignal and vice chairman of General Electric. I always admired his vision and strategy and his relentless execution.
What is the most important business lesson you’ve learned?
You are as good as the people you have working for you.
What has been your toughest business challenge?
I worked for a company that was in Chapter 11, and I was part of the team that led it out. That experience is one of those that transformed me as a business leader.
Describe your leadership style:
I believe in teamwork, I believe in a balance of consensus and speed. I have very little tolerance for bureaucracy or politics. I’m one of those optimistic people who believes you can run a company without politics.
