Always question levels of quality — and never look back

SIX FROM THE BEST
As chief executive of Cubic Telecom, Barry Napier recently led his team to one of the biggest tech deals in Irish history in a landmark £393 million partnership with SoftBank Corp. From running a party bus in Dublin to partnering with Tesla, here are Barry’s key leadership insights.
1. Don’t be afraid to call out crap: Always question quality. It was a complaint to a mobile phone distributor that landed me my first job in telecoms, which put me on a path to a lucrative career in the tech industry. I have a BS bell on my desk.
2. Create value, not money: Focus on solving a problem that actually matters and where you can add real value. Money is a by-product.
3. Learn from bad experiences and move on: They say that out of tragedy, something good comes. As leaders, we’re hardwired to not look back. We have to take our experiences — especially the bad — learn from them and drive forward.
4. Don’t force something: I always say, “Water finds its own level”. Find people that share your values and interests. The universe will always correct itself.
5. Take time out: Running a business requires you to go all in. I find time in the morning that’s just for me. I’m up at 5am and I jump in the sea at 6am, which really sets me up for the day.
6. No is not an option: You don’t have to be controversial. You don’t have to be argumentative. You just have to figure out the best solution for the business that you’re in. There’s always a solution.