Defying conventional boundaries, Sakis Tassoudis has forged an extraordinary path that intertwines business prowess with a profound commitment to redefining leadership paradigms. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of vision, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the synergy between operational excellence and human-centric values. For over two decades, Sakis has navigated the intricate landscapes of global technology and finance, gaining insightfull expertise working and advicing Fortune 500 titans like SAP, Mercedes Benz, Bosch Siemens, Barclays, ABN AMRO and others. His strategic acumen and ability to deftly navigate organizational and technological constraints have yielded remarkable achievements in cost reduction, service delivery optimization, and process improvement.
One of Sakis' career milestones was his instrumental role in the groundbreaking spinoff that birthed the SAP Fioneer joint venture. As the Chief Operations Officer, he and his team worked on the seamless transition of 750 employees from SAP, establishing critical processes and coordinating efforts across partners to ensure operational excellence from day one. Appointed as a Managing Director for Growth Markets, Sakis orchestrated market expansion strategies that spanned Latin America, Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His initiatives, driven by interdisciplinary teams, unlocked growth in the financial services industry by forging partnerships with key institutions seeking to transform their core banking, insurance, and analytical systems. Sakis' ability to engage directly with C-suite executives, coupled with his mastery of contract negotiation, agreement structuring, and architectural design, has consistently maximized long-term ROI for clients.
Sakis' 18-year tenure at SAP is a testament to his transformational leadership and vision. Ascending through increasingly challenging roles, he left an indelible mark as a Global Head of Solution Management, overseeing the development and market strategy for financial services solutions. His impact extended to driving innovation, optimizing revenue streams, and spearheading sales transformation strategies as a Vice President for Premium Customers in Europe. In his role as the General Manager at SAP, Sakis assumed leadership for expanding the software's footprint in the EMEA region, mobilizing vital resources to secure profitable vendor agreements and drive continuous process improvement for a € 300 million business. His strategic prowess extended to formulating regional strategies, overseeing executive sponsorship for top strategic customers, and leading interdisciplinary teams across 14 market units spanning 73 countries.
Sakis' professional odyssey is complemented by a diverse academic journey. With a Diploma in Law and Economics, a Master of Science in Sales Leadership & Transformation, and a Doctor of Professional Studies in progress at Middlesex University London, he has emerged as a thought leader in "Humanified Leadership" – a paradigm that advocates for leadership imbued with empathy, integrity, and human values, targeting transformative growth and innovation. His doctoral research delves into the profound implications of this philosophy, catalyzed by his autoethnographic observations of the erosion of ethics and the rise of dehumanization within leadership circles. Sakis' vision transcends academic confines; it is a clarion call for leaders to embrace a more human, ethical, and inclusive approach, intertwining operational excellence with a commitment to human growth and ethical integrity. As an engaging practition researcher and upcoming author, Sakis is participating in research articles, podcasts and and global conferences, sharing his insights on "Humanified Leadership" and its potential to reshape business landscapes. His thought leadership has been featured in Entrepreneur, and other esteemed publications, cementing his status as a catalyst for positive change.
Beyond his professional achievements, Sakis' impact extends to advisory roles with industry bodies, where he lends his expertise to shape research and strategies. His contributions includes articles in the Sales Transformation Journal and his contribution in the book Transformational Sales Leadership. Yet, beneath the contributions and milestones lies a profound truth: Sakis Tassoudis is a visionary on a mission to redefine leadership success. At the intersection of technological advancement and societal transformation, he invites you to join him in cultivating ecosystems where innovation, empathy, and human values flourish. Envision a future where leadership enhances organizations while enriching lives and communities alike – a realm where ethical integrity, purpose, and empowerment converge to transform our business world. This is the essence of "Humanified Leadership," and Sakis extends an open invitation to embrace its potential. In a world where conventional metrics often overshadow human impact, Sakis Tassoudis stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that true leadership transcends bottom lines and quarter figures. It is a calling rooted in a deep commitment to uplifting individuals, fostering inclusive cultures, and harnessing the power of technology to create a better world.
Join Sakis on this transformative journey, where leadership embodies humanity at its core, propelling us towards a future defined by ethical integrity, purposeful impact, and a profound reverence for the human spirit. Together, we can chart a course that harmonizes operational excellence with the essence of our shared humanity – a path that will undoubtedly leave an enduring legacy for generations to come.
HUMANIFY LEADERSHIP
"IT IS TIME TO UNLEARN EXISTING, NON-EVOLUTIONARY METHODS AND PRACTICES FOR LEADERSHIP, THAT GOT US HERE."
Leading the Charge in Humanified Leadership
Mission and Vision
With the initiative of Humanify Leadership, I envision initiating and orchestrating a pivotal leadership movement aimed at redefining the essence and impact of leadership in the contemporary era. At this historical juncture, society faces a critical choice—a choice between continuing down a path marred by leadership crises or embracing a transformative shift towards a leadership model that is purpose-driven, ethical, inclusive, and human-centric. This is a call not just for change but for a profound revolution in leadership practices, moving beyond the pursuit of personal gain towards stewarding humanity towards a more equitable and interconnected future.
My mission transcends a conventional career path; it is a calling fueled by a life-long dedication to challenging the status quo and pioneering a new future for leadership. This future envisions leaders not merely as organizational guides but as stewards of humanity, championing purpose, empathy, and transdisciplinary innovation. As the founder of humleads.org, I extend a rallying cry to leaders and future visionaries to join in this transformative journey towards humanifying leadership—making it more adaptable, responsive, and genuinely connected to our shared human experience.
The Imperative for Change
In an age where the need for drastic change is undeniable, Humanified Leadership as a movement, emerges as a beacon of hope. We stand at a critical crossroads, witnessing the detrimental effects of leadership that prioritise selfish ambitions over true mentorship and integrity. It is time to draw a definitive line, to demand more from our leaders, and to collectively embark on a journey towards creating a leadership paradigm rooted in genuine, humanified direction and integrity.
Call for Change: History is replete with movements that have shaped the course of humanity—some evolutionary, others revolutionary. Today, the call for a Humanified Leadership is louder and more urgent than ever, challenging us to reject self-serving agendas in favor of a leadership that places the communal benefit at its core. Humanified Leadership is academic research with a solid populist mandate—a surge from within demanding leaders who are committed to serving with purposeful intent and inclusivity.
Based on Values ...
The journey towards humanified leadership is based on my two-decade journey in leadership roles that has been marked by significant milestones, demonstrating the transformative power of leading with empathy, integrity, and a human touch. These experiences underscore the potential of leadership to not only achieve organizational success but also to foster cultures of understanding, stakeholder engagement, and profound societal impact.
A Creed to Live By: In facing global crises and unrelenting volatility, my guiding principle is clear: leadership must evolve beyond traditional paradigms to embrace trust, collaboration, and a drive for collective action. This creed advocates for a future where leadership is synonymous with sustainability, justice, and human dignity, bridging divides and pioneering with purpose.
Envisioning Tomorrow: My ambition knows no bounds as I strive to forge a path for leadership that is purpose-driven, ethical, inclusive, and humanified. This journey is about reimagining leadership in a way that honors our shared humanity and leverages the transformative power of technology and innovative practices to lead through change.
1. Journal of Sales Transformation: The Emerging Importance of Ethical Leadership
2. Book: Transformational Sales Leadership: Humanifying leadership for the twenty-first century