July 14, 2025

Being Present Allows Your Career to Grow: Interview with Bill Powers, CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics

My conversation with Bill Powers, CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics
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Adam Mendler

I recently went one-on-one with Bill Powers, CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Bill: Unlike many CEOs, I didn’t come to the “corner office” from an Ivy League school. I’ve lived through some very difficult situations, and these moments have shaped me.

Instead of giving up, I chose to leave the world better than I found it. I try to do this every day at CMT. 

I don’t look at things in terms of failures, or setbacks, or even negatives, but rather as a continuum where every opportunity is something to learn from. I just keep going. To quote a friend of mine: “You can prove them wrong or you can prove them right.” I live by this challenge every day. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling your business?

Bill: It’s important not to spread yourself too thin. Many companies bring in a lot of money and try to do too many things at once, and never become really good at one thing. That doesn’t scale. Early on, pick something that works, validate it, and grow from there.  You need to focus and have the maturity to commit to doing something really well. Investors align with this too – they typically want a use case they can bet on first and then scale. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Bill: Listen more than you talk, and believe in the power of the human condition and the people who work with you. 

Everyone is great at something – find what that is for each employee. Find everyone’s “why” and ensure that they are aligned with the overall mission of the company. If they are, it is a win for everyone. 

A lot of people think leadership is driven by hierarchy, but kindness, grace, and communication go a long way. Be open and approachable to your employees to the extent that you can.

Adam: What are the most important trends in technology that leaders should be aware of and understand? What should they understand about them?

Bill: Knowledge is power – it always has been and it always will be. The technologies that matter most are the ones that can harness the power of data to improve lives. Currently, advances in sensors, AI, and automation are creating infinite opportunities to put the power of data to work for the good of society. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Bill: Fearless and respectful communication – you should be able to give it and to receive it. Many people are fearless, but not respectful. Others are respectful, but passive-aggressive. If you can balance both, you are on a good path. 

When it comes to coaching, do so in a manner that doesn’t de-motivate your team. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Bill: Continue to do what they are doing, but be intellectually curious, communicate their goals to their managers, and, perhaps most importantly, be present and visible in person with colleagues as much as possible. Being present allows your career to grow. It allows you to be involved with more people and more opportunities. Leaders are not grown in seclusion. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Bill: 

  1. Adversity will always happen. It’s really important not to let emotions drive your decisions – stay measured and pragmatic. 
  2. Decisions should be made for the greater good, not just what you think or feel at the moment. That’s true leadership. Gather all the information. When you aren’t sure what to do, wait until the answer comes. My decisions are usually driven by 90% data and 10% gut feeling. 
  3. Don’t make decisions in haste – it can be difficult to come back from them. When you make a decision, commit and keep moving forward.

Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing, and branding?

Bill: It is critical to start with the decision-maker. Know who you need to engage and start there. Do not waste your time negotiating with people who can’t say yes. 

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Bill: Keep pushing until someone tells you to stop. Don’t apologize for what you think is right, but don’t do it in a disrespectful way. When you’re given a position of leadership, take it and don’t apologize. You earned the position for a reason. 

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Bill: Diversity of thought is critical – looking at many perspectives helps companies get to the right answer. And in moments of crisis, people want to be led. You need to be ready to consider all perspectives, weigh all available data, and take action. This is why being a leader is not for everyone. 

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Adam Mendler

Adam Mendler is a nationally recognized authority on leadership and is the creator and host of Thirty Minute Mentors, where he regularly elicits insights from America's top CEOs, founders, athletes, celebrities, and political and military leaders. Adam draws upon his unique background and lessons learned from time spent with America’s top leaders in delivering perspective-shifting insights as a keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. A Los Angeles native and lifelong Angels fan, Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders.

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