Fezan Raza

How do you inspire and motivate teams during periods of uncertainty and change?

During times of uncertainty, I focus on staying calm, communicating clearly, and keeping the team connected. For an example, my experience at 7-Eleven taught me a lot about this because we deal with constant changes, whether it be staffing shortages, unexpected rush hours, vendor issues, or sudden operational updates from corporate. In those moments, I motivate the team by breaking challenges into small achievable steps and reminding everyone that we're problem solving together, not individually. When people feel supported and heard, they stay confident even in stressful situations.

In coding and development work, the uncertainty looks different but requires the same leadership mindset. Bugs, shifting requirements, or tight deadlines can create pressure, so I encourage open communication and collaborative thinking. I make sure everyone knows it's okay to ask questions, share ideas, or admit when something isn't working. By focusing on teamwork, steady progress, and positive attitude, I'm able to help both retail teams and technical teams stay motivated, productive, and resilient during change.

What role has technology or digital transformation played in your strategic outlook?

Technology and digital transformation play a major role in how I approach strategy, both in business and operations and in my development work. At 7-Eleven, I've seen firsthand how small digital changes like upgraded POS systems, inventory tracking tools, or automated reporting can dramatically improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience. I learned early that staying open to new tools is essential because the businesses that adapt fastest are the ones that stay ahead.

On the developmental side that I do, coding has showed me how technology isn't just a support tool. It actually shapes the way we solve problems. Whether it's Android development, AI assisted workflows, or automated testing, digital solutions allow us to work smarter, reduce errors, and scale faster. I incorporate that mindset into everything I do. If there's a tool that I can streamline a task, enhance communication, or create better insights, I'm always willing to explore that.

Overall, technology guides my strategy by helping me stay efficient, data-driven, and adaptable. It enables stronger decision making and helps my team perform at their best in a constantly changing environment.

Where do you think your sector will be in the next 5 years?

I believe in the next five years I see both my main sectors, retail operations and technology development, becoming even more connected and heavily influenced by automation, AI and smarter digital systems. In the retail world, especially with brands like 7-Eleven, I expect more automated workflows, improved inventory intelligence, and AI-driven customer insights. Stores will rely more on real data to manage staffing, reduce waste, and personalize customer experience. Even small franchise locations will use technology to operate more efficiently and predict demand more accurately.

On the developmental and software side, especially Android and AI tools, I think the shift will be even more automation and smarter coding assistance with cross-platform solutions that speed up developmental cycles. AI will definitely play a bigger role in debugging, testing and even generating parts of applications. The demand for mobile solutions will be continually growing and companies will expect developers to adapt quickly to new frameworks and evolving user expectations.

Overall, both sectors are moving towards smarter systems and faster workflows.

Who has been the most influential mentor or role model for you, and why?

The most influential mentor in my life has been my father. Since childhood, he's been the person who shaped my work ethic, discipline, and mindset. He always pushed me to stay focused, to learn consistently, and to never shy away from responsibility, whether it was academics, technology, or business. He encouraged me to explore everything and supported me through each step. Watching him handle challenges with patience and confidence really taught me how to stay steady under pressure, something that has helped me across both retail management and coding.

He also showed me the importance of leadership not by giving orders but by setting an example of consistency, hard work and integrity. Because of him, I learned early that success comes from showing up every day, being reliable, and always improving yourself. His guidance continues to influence the way I make decisions and how I approach both my personal and professional life.

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders in your industry?

My advice to the next generation of leaders is to stay adaptable, stay curious, and stay people focused. Whether you're in tech, retail, or any service driven industry, things change fast. New tools, new expectations, new challenges. The leaders who succeed will be the ones who are open to learning and aren't afraid to use technology to their advantage.

At the same time, leadership is about people. From my experience in both coding and 7-Eleven operations, the most successful teams are built on communication, patience, and trust. Trust your team with respect. Listen to their ideas and create an environment where everyone feels valued. When people feel supported, they perform better and stay motivated even in tough situations.

And lastly, don't be afraid to take responsibility. Step forward, solve problems, and stay calm under pressure. If you combine strong technical thinking with real teamwork and emotional intelligence, you'll be a leader that people would want to follow, and you'll be ready for whatever the future brings.