Every so often, a conversation stops you in your tracks. It makes you pause, reflect, and see the world – your work, your personal relationships, your colleagues, your community – through a new lens. I had one of those conversations with Rex Lee, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation.
What started as a discussion with our SAP Canada team about business transformation and technology quickly evolved into something much more profound. Rex shared his perspective with a level of honesty and wisdom that has stuck with me. He talked about navigating professional challenges and shared a masterclass in navigating life’s most demanding circumstances.
Perseverance isn’t a grand gesture, it’s a daily practice of building momentum
We often imagine perseverance as a single, monumental effort. Rex described it differently. He framed it as the quiet, consistent practice of putting one foot in front of the other to build momentum, especially when a project is long and complex. He noted that during challenging times, it’s the collective energy of a team and a shared sense of purpose that carries everyone forward. It’s a powerful reminder that our greatest achievements aren’t won in a single sprint. They are the result of a marathon of consistent, focused steps, each one building on the last.
Positivity is a tool to move you forward, not a feeling
Rex’s perspective on positivity during demanding circumstances was transformative. He didn’t frame it as feeling happy or ignoring difficulty. Instead, it is a conscious choice—a strategic tool for creating a path forward. As a board member for Make-A-Wish Foundation, Rex shared the power of providing a critical dose of hope, what he called “medicine for the soul.” Make-A-Wish creates positive experiences for their recipients to look forward to, a North Star to focus on. Focusing on what is possible, rather than dwelling on obstacles, isn’t naive. It’s a powerful strategy for building resilience and actively shaping a positive outcome.
Break rules with purpose and challenge the status quo
Rex’s career is a testament to the power of curiosity and a willingness to challenge established norms. He shared a story from his first job where he was put in a cubicle surrounded by old PCs. Instead of just accepting it, he took them apart, built a server, and created a file-sharing network—something he wasn’t supposed to do. His reasoning was simple: the old way no longer served the best outcome. He said, “If all you ever do is always follow the rules, you will always be average.” This is the heart of innovation. It’s about challenging assumptions, not out of defiance, but with a genuine desire to discover a better path.
The future is about questioning the answers
When I asked for his advice for our team, Rex’s closing thought was the most powerful of all. He said, “It’s no longer about answering questions. It is all about questioning answers.”
In an age where AI can provide answers instantly, our true value lies in our ability to think critically, to challenge the output, to connect disparate dots, and to ask, “What’s next? What are we missing?”
Rex reinforced that our work is not just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about improving lives, fostering resilience, and having the integrity to do what feels right, even when it’s hard.
His perspective was a powerful call to action. Let’s keep these lessons in mind as we continue our mission to help the world run better and improve people’s lives. And always be thinking about what answer we need to start questioning to ensure we continue to drive the success of our businesses and our personal and professional goals.
