Interview with Riccardo Sbarboro, EMEA Professional Services Director and author of The Art of Building Meaningful Work
“Control is an illusion. What matters is clarity under pressure.”
That’s how Riccardo Sbarboro begins when asked about his book and the leadership lessons that shaped his career. It’s a principle he learned not in a boardroom, but in a cockpit.
“The first time I sat in a military aircraft, I realized you can’t control everything. You can only control your decisions—and how fast you make them when the map disappears.”
Those early lessons in discipline and precision at the U.S. Naval Aviation Schools Command became the foundation for a leadership style that now drives transformation across EMEA. Today, Sbarboro is known for turning vision into operating reality—designing systems that make success repeatable.
From Pilot to Playbook
With over 20 years of international experience, Sbarboro’s journey from military to global business leadership offers unique insights into transforming complex environments into tangible business outcomes. His career spans roles at organizations such as Italtel, EMC2, VMware and now as EMEA Professional Services Director. Known for his unique combination of strategic clarity and human-centered leadership, Sbarboro has demonstrated an ability to drive transformation across diverse business landscapes, emphasizing sustainable success.
Riccardo’s story isn’t about heroics; it’s about frameworks. When he joined his current organization, the Professional Services division in EMEA was a pilot initiative. He saw an opportunity—not just to grow a team, but to design an operating model that could scale across borders, mixing vision with pragmatism.
“Builders don’t scale outcomes with heroics. They scale them with systems,” he explains.
“If a result can’t be taught, repeated, and localized, it isn’t a model—it’s a moment.”
That builder mindset led to formalized advisory practices, talent pipelines, and AI-driven delivery models—all anchored in a customer-first philosophy.
Customer Success as Strategy
For Sbarboro, Customer Success isn’t a department—it’s the operating system of the business.
“Every engagement should answer one question: what outcome did we enable for the customer?”
“Success is visible when it’s measurable—and measurable when it’s designed into the journey.”
This approach shifts the focus from activity metrics to tangible business impact, creating renewal-ready value through proof, not persuasion.
Responsible AI: Augment Judgment, Amplify Consistency
Riccardo is clear about AI’s role in services: it’s an accelerator, not a replacement for human judgment, but the change we need to face is probably the biggest in the human history
“AI will never replace judgment—but it will expose the cost of poor judgment faster than ever before.”
This innovation is in line with his broader vision of building frameworks that are repeatable, scalable, and predictable. He believes that the future belongs to leaders who can teach machines
Human-Centric Leadership: Creating Leaders, Not Followers
One of Sbarboro’s greatest strengths is his human-centric leadership philosophy. Unlike traditional leadership that may rely on hierarchy and control, his approach fosters growth through trust, accountability, and empathy. He believes that true leadership is about developing others, creating leaders rather than followers.
“True influence isn’t measured by followers, but by the leaders you help create.”
Sbarboro’s leadership isn’t about demanding trust, it’s about earning it, particularly in those quiet moments when no one is watching. His dedication to developing talent is reflected in his mentorship of early-career professionals and his commitment to creating opportunities for growth.
“Trust is the invisible currency of leadership. You earn it in the quiet moments when no one is watching.”
The Book Behind the Philosophy
Riccardo’s new book, The Art of Building Meaningful Work, captures these lessons in a deeply personal way.
“Life, in its truest form, is not just a journey. It’s a mirror. It reflects who we are, what we believe, and how far we’re willing to go for something greater than ourselves.”
“You never step into the same river twice—and learning to swim, not to control the water, is the true art of survival.”
His personal philosophy resonates in his work, where the focus is on creating lasting business results rather than checking boxes and the book isn’t a manual—it’s a reflection. Each chapter is a conversation between the leader you are today and the one you could become tomorrow;
Looking Ahead
Riccardo’s vision for the future is clear: systems over silos, outcomes over activity, and leadership that scales through trust and teaching.
“Strategy without an operating model is presentation. An operating model without culture is machinery. The future belongs to leaders who can design systems, develop people, and deliver outcomes consistently.”
To explore more about Riccardo Sbarboro’s leadership approach, visit his LinkedIn profile. For those interested in his perspective on leadership, The Art of Building Meaningful Work is available on Amazon.
