“Honesty and humility were my survival kit growing up, and they remain my guiding principles as a leader.” – Emilio Romeo
Emilio Romeo’s journey from his roots in Southern Italy to becoming a transformative business leader is shaped by the core values of honesty, humility, and unwavering commitment. His unique perspective, cultivated through diverse experiences, has not only driven his success but has also been the foundation of his leadership approach. With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, including his role as the CEO of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, Emilio’s leadership transcends traditional models. He champions a culture of integrity, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring his teams not only succeed but excel through trust and collaboration.
An Inspiring Story
Emilio reflects on his journey, beginning with the pivotal decision every high school graduate faces—choosing the next step. Initially considering law, he quickly set aside that idea as his passion for computer science, fueled by a love for mathematics, took precedence. Despite having been in the country for only five years at the time, his determination and hard work earned him a place among the school’s top three students, opening up a wealth of tertiary education opportunities.
He ultimately graduated with distinction, earning a Bachelor of Applied Science, a tribute to his perseverance and dedication during his university years. With a drive to find a future-oriented path, Emilio became fascinated by the interaction between technology and business. Armed with sales experience and technical expertise as a developer and designer, he entered the IT industry, taking on various management and sales roles. These positions allowed him to excel as a bridge between business and technology, embracing the roles of “interpreter and orchestrator.”
In 1997, Emilio joined Ericsson and embarked on a journey that combined IT and telecommunications in a groundbreaking hybrid role. Over the years, he advanced through multiple sales and leadership roles, working with major Australian customers such as VHA, Telstra, Hutchinson, and 3GIS. Notably, he successfully transformed two organizations within just 12 months. His trajectory culminated in January 2016, when he was appointed CEO of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand—a role he holds with great pride—and became a member of the Leadership Team spanning India, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
Emphasizing the Core Values
Emilio emphasizes the importance of authentic and genuine connections with people, underscoring his belief that networks are more valuable than hierarchies. He draws inspiration from a quote by American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This sentiment encapsulates his approach to leadership and relationships.
As a leader, Emilio values delivering on his commitments to his team. When he makes a promise, his team knows it will be fulfilled. This mutual trust is foundational to his management style. He starts from a position of trust, rarely needing to question his team’s actions because he has confidence in their ability to deliver. Emilio strives to manage his staff the way he likes to be managed, creating a balance of autonomy and accountability.
This philosophy extends to his approach in managing the dynamic ANZ market. The two-way trust between staff and leadership ensures that his team is fully committed to addressing challenges, driving innovation, and navigating market dynamics to deliver the best outcomes for Ericsson and its customers.
A central part of Emilio’s role is inspiring his team to achieve more than they ever thought possible. He fosters a culture of trust, confidence, and accountability through practices such as active listening, celebrating the team’s successes, and taking personal accountability when outcomes fall short.
Emilio is dedicated to creating an emotionally safe environment where every individual feels empowered to bring their best self to work. This enables his team to perform with courage, confidence, and the belief in their potential for greatness.
Emilio reflects on the extraordinary digital revolution of the past decade, driven by the rise of the smartphone, which made information accessible anywhere, anytime. This innovation gave birth to the app economy, revolutionizing consumer services and business models. However, he asserts, this is just the beginning.
Looking ahead to the next 5 to 10 years, Emilio foresees an acceleration of global trends such as the electrification of transportation, the pursuit of Net Zero emissions, the development of resilient supply chains, and the adoption of industrial automation to enhance efficiency and productivity. These transformative trends will impact businesses, society, and government agendas alike, addressing key priorities like climate change, inclusivity, and economic competitiveness. Enterprises, in turn, will push beyond consumer-facing solutions to digitize their entire operations.
Emilio highlights three key building blocks driving these trends:high-performing mobile networks, AI, and the cloud. Among these, he emphasizes that high-performing networks are foundational, enabling the deployment of other technologies at scale. These networks will become universally available and accessible, forming a platform for businesses and developers to drive digital transformation across industries.
With these advancements, Emilio envisions the emergence of transformative technologies that will reshape the telco industry and society. For example, extended reality (XR) devices will usher in a new era of immersive communication and digital representation, enabling mixed-reality environments limited only by imagination.
To fully capitalize on the potential of a mobile-first world, Emilio underscores the need for industry-wide collaboration to revolutionize access to and consumption of network capabilities. He proudly states that Ericsson is at the forefront of this development, paving the way for its customers to succeed and lead in an increasingly open and interconnected world.
Maintaining Balance Between Professional Commitments and Personal Life
Emilio shares that customers often commend his commitment, noting that when he promises something, they never have to question whether it will be delivered. However, he believes that exceeding customer expectations goes beyond just delivering on commitments. It involves educating customers about the possibilities they can achieve, especially as the industry undergoes rapid changes and innovations. Many customers may not fully realize these opportunities, and it is Ericsson’s responsibility to guide them through this journey, providing the best solutions tailored to their needs.
He emphasizes the importance of agility in their success. Ericsson engages early with customers, adapts to their evolving needs—whether environmental, economic, or customer-driven—and utilizes the broader Ericsson portfolio to meet these demands. This flexibility is key to maintaining their success year after year.
Additionally, Emilio underscores the critical role of robust partnerships in giving Ericsson its competitive edge. He stresses that true partnerships are essential, acknowledging that no single company can do everything on its own. For Ericsson, partnership means full commitment—either they are fully invested or not involved at all.
Commercial Success in Global Markets
Emilio views work-life balance as a matter of prioritizing what deserves his attention and care. He often likens it to managing a bank account, where balance is maintained by constantly replenishing and refilling it, just as credits and debits keep an account healthy. The “credits” in his life include spending time with family, focusing on his health, and investing in self-growth. He believes in balancing his time between different groups: a third of his time with those who are better than him, a third with his team, and a third with his peers.
He also exhibits on work-life balance through a juggling analogy shared by a friend. In life, he says, we juggle many responsibilities, most of which are like rubber balls—if dropped, they bounce back. However, two “balls” are made of glass—your health and your family—and these are the ones you cannot afford to drop. This perspective helps him prioritize what matters most. Emilio emphasizes that when spending time with family and friends, it’s essential to be fully present and engaged, rather than distracted.
Honesty, Clarity and Accountability
For Emilio, integrity is more than a guiding principle—it’s the foundation of his leadership. At Ericsson, honesty and accountability are not just expected but ingrained in the company’s culture, shaping the way business is conducted, and relationships are built.
He believes trust is earned through actions, not words. When he makes a commitment, his team and customers know he will deliver. This approach creates a workplace where people feel empowered to take ownership of their work, knowing they have the support and trust of leadership.
Emilio has little patience for arrogance, viewing it as a roadblock to collaboration and progress. He values decisiveness but stresses that decisions should be made with openness to different perspectives. For him, commitment matters more than compliance—a decision made with the right intent is never truly wrong, even if the outcome isn’t as expected.
By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, Emilio ensures Ericsson remains a company that wins business for the right reasons—through merit, trust, and a steadfast commitment to ethical leadership.
Pearls of Wisdom
Emilio credits much of his leadership philosophy to the lessons he learned growing up—honesty, humility, and the ability to adapt. These values shaped his approach to leadership and continue to guide him today.
He believes that leadership isn’t about personal accolades but about bringing out the best in others. His role is to encourage, empower, and hold his team accountable, giving them the space and confidence to succeed. He leads by example—when things go well, he ensures his team gets the credit, and when challenges arise, he takes full responsibility.
Emilio also believes that success comes from a mindset of continuous improvement. He encourages aspiring leaders to focus on excelling in the present rather than being fixated on long-term goals. Plans evolve, and adapting to change is just as important as having a vision.
His advice is simple: focus on what’s in front of you, be open to learning, and always strive to be better today than yesterday.
Long-term goals for Ericsson Australia and New Zealand
Ericsson has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia and New Zealand’s telecommunications landscape for more than 130 years, and under Emilio’s leadership, the company is focused on ensuring that legacy continues.
His vision is clear: to keep Australia and New Zealand at the forefront of global connectivity, driving innovation that supports businesses, industries, and society as they transition into an increasingly digital future.
The next phase of transformation will be driven by 5G, AI, and the cloud, unlocking new possibilities for industries ranging from transport to public safety. Emilio sees Ericsson as a key enabler of this shift, working closely with customers and partners to help them navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Beyond technology, he is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, ensuring Ericsson continues to lead with integrity, expertise, and a deep understanding of the region’s needs. His focus is not just on what’s next but on building a future where connectivity drives meaningful change, benefiting businesses and communities alike.
