The way to lead: Dez’s people-first approach to leadership

What makes a good leader? Is it experience, wisdom, personality or another factor? For Deceree Olam – Dez, as her teammates call her, leadership is about being there for her team. 

With a background in nursing, Dez had envisioned a career in healthcare, but when scoliosis made it difficult to pursue that path, she stepped into the corporate world. Today, with more than 11 years in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, she leads a team of 18, handling two key lines of business for our Life Sciences business. 

Dez’s human-centric approach to leadership has not only garnered her the trust of her team but also earned her the first Cognizant Way to Lead Award at our 2025 Impact Awards. Hear from Dez on her journey and what she believes are the keys to leadership.  

Forging my own leadership style

When I joined Cognizant in 2019, I learnt that leadership is not just about managing people, it’s about empowering them. In my initial days as a team lead, I took part in a training that taught me to treat your representatives as your teammates. That lesson stayed with me, and I practice it with all my teammates every day.

As a supervisor, one of the things that I do with new teammates besides one-on-one coaching is a D.O.P.E. ‘Bird’ Personality Test – a simple 20 question test that classifies them into one of the four distinct personality types. It is my basis in handling new members, and it helps me adapt my leadership style based on their personalities.

Overcoming doubt and empowering others 

Every leader has moments that test their confidence, mine just came sooner than I expected. I was a new team lead when I found myself in an escalation that tested me like never before. I was under heavy scrutiny and broke down in tears, but I overcame it with my manager’s support. The incident taught me that one mistake does not define you as a leader, and I carry the same mindset today. 

A few years later, I saw a new teammate struggling with outbound calls, fearing that all her conversations would end up in failure. The anxiety was so overwhelming that she was ready to resign. I knew it well; it was the same self-doubt that I went through. 

But I knew her potential. I sat down with her, not as a supervisor, but as a teammate. I asked her motivation to join Cognizant, and her answer was simple yet powerful: family. She wanted to succeed to support them. With that in mind, I helped her shift focus from fear to purpose. A few trainings and confidence-building sessions helped her excel and I’m proud that she decided to stay with us.

Growing stronger together

Winning the Way to Lead Award is an honor, but the real reward comes from seeing my team grow and succeed. I’ve faced challenges in my journey, but every time I emerged stronger because of the people who supported me. Now, I do the same for my team. I try to inspire, uplift and create opportunities for others in my team.

Cognizant has given me the opportunity to thrive as a leader and as a person. The culture of recognition, the great benefits and the sense of community motivate me, and I strive to give my best every day. At the end of the day, leadership is about people and Cognizant invests a great deal in its people.