In the field of technology, where things happen so fast, Kamal Sharma is one of the few leaders who has been able to conduct innovation, mentorship and project management with such grace and effectiveness. He is an example of what it means to keep going to learn as much as you can, to challenge every boundary of software engineering and technology.
From there, Sharma has made his way to a central role at Amazon, leading a team of highly skilled software engineers in the difficult area of global procurement. But his achievements go well beyond the workplace. He is a lifelong learner, and is pursuing many professional certifications as such. Sharma has long been committed to using technology for social good, and outside of his job, he volunteers with the United Nations Association – Orange County Chapter. His story is both a success story professionally as well as a testament to the ability to succeed professionally, academically, and with community engagement while having a positive and lasting impact.
Kamal Sharma
Leadership in High-Stakes Projects
Sharma is a lead by example kind of guy which he believes is critical in high stakes environments, and at Amazon he does just that. His most impactful contribution has been mentoring teams to execute projects such as the Supplier Check In Solution.
Explaining the philosophies the core leadership espoused, Sharma says the ways he has been guided include leading by example, making customer needs the focus, promoting mutual trust and ensuring each and every team member has a voice. He trusts and has teamwork by mimicking the behaviors and values he wants from his colleagues.
Sharma’s leadership strategies have worked particularly well in the complex world of global procurement. To manage challenges, he says, he builds consensus, steps up when necessary, and coaches the team to make sure everyone’s voice is being heard. He encourages creativity on his teams, and this collaborative style lets his teams see what needs changing and how to implement their solutions to improve operational performance.
Empowering Through Sharing Knowledge and Writing
Sharma has found his passion for continuous learning that made his choice in educating others. IEEE publications are one of the means through which he stays current with technology trends and shares knowledge as a drive.
He says that I think it’s fundamental to share knowledge. “I hope that these lessons will help others in the field who are experimenting with new technologies, as I have in successes and failures.” Sharma chronicles these experiences through his writing and uses that to provide some useful insights to his peers and to warn them from falling into the potential pitfalls of the whole experience. At once a personal reflection on new technologies and a practical guide for others looking to maintain the edge in a rapidly changing industry, the piece is a great read.
From Idea to Execution: Procurement Systems Transformation
One of Sharma’s defining traits as a leader has been his talent to take the abstract and turn it into concrete. His work on Amazon’s Supplier Connect and Supplier Check-In Solution is an example of this ability. The first automates supplier onboarding and communication to build better relationships, while the second, which was built during a hackathon, completely changes the check in process at fulfillment centers by focusing on efficiency.
Sharma recalls the origins of these projects: “Both of the solutions started with a backward approach, starting with pain points from a customer’s perspective.” He remembers from the hackathon, “It reminds me of Steve Jobs’ philosophy that people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” The problems were known to our clients but they didn’t know the solutions. I designed the system, the user interface, and the workflows, and presented this as an ‘unexpected project” to the leadership team.”
Sharma’s focus on operational excellence is illustrated in the Supplier Check In Solution. The tool reduces supplier check in times from minutes to less than 10 seconds using real time data and ensuring safety compliance. We are always trying to become more efficient with technology, and this project highlights Sharma’s commitment to leveraging data to solve tough problems.
How to Handle Pressure with Poise and Precision
Sharma’s decision making is methodical and data grounded in high pressure situations. He stresses on how to gather necessary information and evaluate the prophecies of various options. He explains, “When I have to make high-pressure decisions I try to gather as much data as possible, think through the consequences of each decision and make sure that my decision aligns with the organization’s goals.”
A prime example of this is Supplier Check-In Solution which was rapidly deployed. Sharma recalls: “We had just three weeks to pilot the solution at several sites.” “We took feedback from users and made required changes in that time.” Sharma’s ability to make decisions and be flexible and open to feedback proves to be strength in a leader that is able to guide his team to pass through tough seasons with clarity and foresight.
Staying Focused on Career and Community Engagement
As professional duties demand, they put Sharma equally devoted to community services. He was involved with the UN Association – Orange County Chapter out of his belief that he can create a positive social impact. He shares that ‘the chapter is full of remarkable volunteers’. “I try to spend a few hours on these responsibilities before going to bed.”
Sharma credits his family with providing the support that allows him to balance these commitments: “My family has encouraged me, so that I can contribute as much as I do.” He is also big on delegation. He explains that ‘we enable younger volunteers; students from universities, colleges and even high schools to take leadership positions.’ This approach both nurtures leadership skills in the next generation (future volunteers) and creates sustainability in the volunteer effort of Amritsar Days.
Technology Guiding into the Future
Sharma leads in a proactive manner in a rapidly changing industry. Continuous learning and keeping up to date with the technologically advanced is his emphasis. He says it’s crucial to stay ahead by attending conferences, fostering innovation within the team and investing time in research and development. In addition, he calms his team by telling them to experiment with new things in the light of the fact that innovation also comes from exploration.
The need to stay current to thrive on changing industry demands is underscored by Sharma. He advises to invest in upskilling programs, as a means of closing the gap in skills. He also leads with an approach that builds robust software architectures that are modular and abstract. “The principles reduce complexity and allow our systems to adapt to future needs,” he explains.
Sharma puts a lot of importance on code quality as it helps to maintain the system integrity over time. With deep technical prowess paired with a thirst for constant growth, this emphasis guarantees that the team is well equipped to tackle all that the technology landscape of tomorrow will present.
Leadership for the Next Generation
Kamal Sharma’s story is a powerful, and compelling example of a visionary leader, a technologist, and a community builder intermingling and succeeding. He stands out as a leader of the global tech ecosystem through his capacity to lead by example, enhance operational efficiency through technology and find a balance between important community service and his professional achievements.
Sharma will continue to be at the forefront of the industry as technology continues to evolve and his dedication to mentorship, learning and innovation will continue. He provides extremely useful insights to future leaders to strive for excellence, to tackle challenges and to make a positive impact in the professional as well as personal lives.
