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Leadership is no longer just about execution and results. It’s about building trust, inspiring people, staying adaptable, and navigating constant change without losing the human side of business.
In this conversation, Chris Donato shares insights from his professional journey, his leadership philosophy, and the experiences that shaped him. One idea runs throughout: things rarely go as planned. For Chris, that is often where the real growth begins.
Can you tell us something about your professional journey and what brought you to Exadel?
Chris Donato: I joke that my sales career started in third grade.
I grew up fundraising for schools, churches, and community organizations, and I realized pretty early that I loved selling. Over time, I became a student of sales — learning how trust is built, how companies buy, and what separates winning teams from average ones.
Years later, I worked with Michael Boustridge, and that relationship stayed with me throughout my career. Eventually, I launched my own consulting company, helping organizations improve sales performance. Then Michael called me again and asked me to help at Exadel. And honestly, what brought me back was simple: “The people.”
I really fell in love with the culture and the people here. I’d describe Exadel teams as humble, hardworking, hungry, and innovative.
To me, that’s our gift to the world: bringing these people into our clients’ environments, integrating them into teams, and helping companies solve real problems and transform the way they work.
What do you personally find most rewarding about your current role?
Chris Donato: Teaching. Helping people grow.
At the core, I love helping people become better at what they do. I often say that my superpower is seeing the superpowers in others.
There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone achieve something they didn’t think was possible. The same applies to clients. Helping customers solve problems they didn’t believe they could solve is incredibly fulfilling.
How do you usually like to kick off your workday?
Chris Donato: Beyond the strong coffee, my mornings are really about quiet reflection. I usually try to get up around 6:15 every morning to have a little time to myself before the day begins.
Earlier this year, I attended a retreat in India where I learned a yoga-based meditation practice that I now start every day with. It helps quiet my mind and create a sense of focus before everything speeds up. I also try to fit in a little exercise and intentionally avoid consuming too much information first thing in the morning.
There’s a quote I recently heard that really stayed with me: “The first minute of the morning determines the altitude of the day.” I genuinely believe that’s true. If I skip my morning routine, I feel the difference immediately.
What motivates you on a tough day when things don’t go as planned?
Chris Donato: Honestly, things very rarely go as planned.
That’s something I’ve had to come to terms with throughout my life and career. We spend a lot of time trying to control outcomes, but if you’re paying attention, you realize how little control we actually have. What helps me is looking at challenges differently. Whenever things go wrong, I ask myself: What is this teaching me? How is this challenge helping me grow?
I’ve become very inspired by stoicism and books like The Obstacle Is the Way. The idea that obstacles themselves become stepping stones really resonates with me.
Nobody enjoys pain, but pain is growth, and challenges teach you. That mindset changes everything.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Chris Donato: I try to lead by example. I would never ask somebody on my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I like being involved, staying close to the work, and supporting people directly.
I’d describe my leadership style as playful, joyful, and service-oriented.
Sales naturally come with pressure and high stakes, but I’ve always been wired to enjoy those moments. I grew up playing sports, and I was always the person who wanted to take the last shot. That doesn’t mean there’s no anxiety - there absolutely is - but I think leadership requires learning how to operate through it.
Was there a special moment or project that really shaped how you lead?
Chris Donato: One experience that really shaped me was a large opportunity we pursued with Coca-Cola. At one point during the sales process, my team and I became a little complacent. We submitted a proposal with mistakes in it, and the customer called us out directly. It was uncomfortable. But instead of making excuses, I took full accountability. Ironically, that moment pushed us into another level of performance. We rethought our approach, elevated our execution, and ultimately won the business.
Looking back: If I didn’t make that mistake, I don’t think we would have won.
That experience taught me a lot about humility, accountability, and resilience.
What are the biggest growth opportunities you see for Exadel in the next one to two years?
Chris Donato: AI is at the center of everything right now.
What excites me most is that Exadel is moving beyond talent delivery into business transformation.
That’s a massive opportunity. At the same time, we still need to continue delivering exceptional work in the business that brought us here. I often describe it this way:
You have to have one foot in today and one foot in tomorrow.
Balancing innovation with execution is the real challenge.
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you probably be doing?
Chris Donato: I’d still be building something. I’m a builder by nature. Whether it’s businesses, community initiatives, or social projects, I’m always drawn toward creating solutions and solving problems.
Community has always been deeply important to me. Living in Philadelphia has given me the opportunity to engage in local initiatives and causes that truly matter, and it reinforced my belief that technology and innovation should do more than transform businesses — they should help bring people closer together.
If you could share one piece of advice with our readers, what would it be?
Chris Donato: Stay curious.
The world is changing incredibly fast, and curiosity helps us stay adaptable, empathetic, and open-minded. There’s a line from Ted Lasso that I love: “Be curious, not judgmental.” I think that mindset is more important than ever.
Want to hear the full conversation?
Listen to the latest episode of Leadership Lounge featuring Chris Donato.
