A new era begins at Leidos
It's the start of a new era at Leidos.
On May 3, Tom Bell became CEO of Leidos and now leads a global company of 45,000 employees focused on making the world safer, healthier, and more efficient.
Get to know Tom, his vision for the future of Leidos, and his values as a corporate leader.
You’ve enjoyed a varied career leading global teams across the aerospace, defense, technology, and security sectors. How will you apply those diverse experiences at Leidos?
Throughout my career, I gained a deep understanding of the aerospace and defense industries and the importance of driving innovation and efficiency while delivering high-quality solutions to customers. Building and maintaining those excellent customer relationships combined with consistent performance are key to success.
Customers around the world are working to adapt to change. In some cases that is to keep pace with modern technology, in others they strive to get and stay ahead so they can stay mission ready. Bringing innovation to our customers is key, regardless of their mission.
What's great is that Leidos has the right expertise, technologies, and experience to help customers get ahead of the curve by applying cutting-edge technology. Whether it's hardware design and integration, trusted AI, or cybersecurity, we have a proven record of delivery.
I'm excited to build on Leidos' reputation for success.
What is your vision for Leidos, and what can people expect from your tenure?
Leidos has always been a company I've admired for its innovative spirit, unwavering commitment to excellence, and its role as a trusted partner in defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. My vision is to build upon Leidos' success as a leading provider of inventive solutions, with the ultimate goal of transforming the world through our work, collaboration, and responsible leadership.
Together, we'll focus on sustainable growth that supports our customers, benefits our shareholders, and keeps our employees engaged. I believe healthy growth stems from innovation and outstanding performance.
As a leader, what do you value, and what do you hope to inspire as the new CEO?
Teamwork, innovation, integrity, and inclusion are foundational principles for me, and I'm thrilled to be joining a team that shares those values.
In my experience, an organization's success is deeply rooted in the variety of ideas, backgrounds, and experiences brought by its employees. Dr. Bob Beyster, the founder of Leidos, captured this idea when he said, "None of us is as smart as all of us." Over the years, I've shared this belief with the statement, "If we only knew what we know." Undeniably, the strength of Leidos comes from combining the unique talents and knowledge of our team members.
As the new CEO, I hope to inspire Team Leidos to continue its commitment to its core values. Our people are the reason we have strong relationships with our customers and the trust from our shareholders to maintain our position as a market leader. My job is to keep us focused on advancing our brand and growing in the right ways.
The modern workplace is continuously evolving. What's your take on remote work and how teams collaborate to achieve results?
I’ll be the first to say that my view of remote work was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you had asked me in 2019 if remote work was productive, I would have offered a very skeptical view. Therefore, what I came to realize is that first and foremost, work is an activity, not necessarily always a place. Productive work happens when teams hit a gear together that they cannot achieve individually, and we understand that happens in different ways for each individual.
I must add here that a modern workplace simply must also be an inclusive workplace. I think that when people truly feel included, every teammate can be at their best and contribute to their fullest potential.
You mentioned the importance of living a balanced life. What does that look like for you?
I'm a firm believer in finding balance and enjoying life outside of work. And while my “work-life balance” may be different from others, I love spending time outdoors whenever I can. Whether it's hiking, camping, or kayaking, these activities allow me to connect with nature, watch an eagle fly, and breathe. I also think it's important to find balance within the workday. For me, that might mean taking a short walk to enjoy an extra cup of coffee between meetings or getting outside the office for lunch.
Ultimately, it's about finding "the balance” that works for you and making sure you're taking care of yourself and those around you.
