Executive Interview
Executive Interviews
An Interview with
Gary Tse
Managing Director
FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting is an independent global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. Individually, each practice is a leader in its specific field, staffed with experts recognized for the depth of their knowledge and a track record of making an impact. Collectively, FTI Consulting offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to assist clients across the business cycle – from proactive risk management to the ability to respond rapidly to unexpected events and dynamic environments.
Publish Date:
3 November 2021
Tell us about your background, and what are you most passionate about?
I am a Managing Director in the Data & Analytics practice at FTI Consulting, recently transferred to Canada. I am currently certified as CFE, EnCE, and C|EH with two bachelor’s degrees in Computer Engineering and Laws. I am a senior data expert with over 17 years of combined experience in Big Data, digital forensic, e-discovery, and software development. With this combined expertise, I am passionate about leveraging data and technologies to resolve issues. Having worked across the globe, I specialize in conducting complex investigative assignments involving proactive and reactive anti-money laundering matters, financial crime compliance, export control compliance, transactions monitoring, fraud detection, and investigations. My major work goal is to help addressing clients’ business and regulatory needs through applying cutting-edge technologies with numerous data analytics perspectives.
Describe a time you had to make a tough decision (e.g. budget cuts, organizational restructuring, market withdrawal, etc.). What did you do and what was the result?
I believe tough decisions do not exist. Regardless how tough a decision is, we can in fact easily flip it upside down and make it become an easy decision. To quote Steve Jobs, “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future,” and more importantly, “You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in planning, as a good plan allows us to foresee the future and plan out our actions to move forward to the desired results. While I cannot really think of a tough decision that I had ever made in my life so far, I think the way we should act when facing tough decisions would be keep optimistic and remember to keep enhancing your Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ) in every challenge. A better tomorrow is always waiting for you.
How would others define your communication style? Do you prefer to be close to your employees or maintain a healthy distance, and why?
I believe communication is the key to make things work, and I prefer to be close to my employees and juniors while maintaining that work is work. Stay professional but not personal is always a golden rule in how I maintain the relationships between myself and my juniors. I do want my juniors to like me, but also respect me in terms of willing to follow my direction and at the same time feeling free to express themselves in front of me. I want to stand with my juniors, but also have them know where I stand. “If three walk together, one can be my teacher” (idiom from the Analects of Confucius). I believe it’s my responsibility to nurture my employees and juniors, and to assist them to move forward to their target, but at the same time, I understand that they are also helping me to achieve my goals and grow into a better person.
How has the industry been changing in recent years? What do you think are the biggest challenges your industry will face in the next 5 years?
I think it is no doubt that the last decade was indeed the era of data and information. The development of computing technology has dramatically enhanced the process of data analytics. Some technologies from a decade ago are still in broad use and there has been more stability in analytical leadership and the industry culture while, on the other hand, a variety of new technology offerings involving distributed computing and specialized data appliances are become more and more common too. “Data warehouses”, “Data mining”, “Business Intelligence”, “A.I.”, “Predictive Modelling”, etc. are becoming the common terms that everyone is aware of. As a professional working in forensic and litigation support in data analytics, I think the biggest challenges in the near future would finding the balance between technologies and ethics.
What personality traits make a good leader?
I believe there are three main traits that make a good leader, including integrity, respect and accountability. I believe that integrity is the source of trust. People will not follow someone unless they have trust with them. As a good leader, acting with integrity is the foundation, and that’s why your employees are willing to follow you. The second thing would be respect. Showing respect includes empathy, courage and gratitude. As a good leader, respecting your employees is the key to success. A good team is usually built on respecting each other. The third trait would be accountability; a good leader should always have the resolve to own up to commitments and promises that he or she has made. On one hand, a good leader is accountable to the business. On the other hand, a good leader is also accountable to the employees and to the team.
What does the future hold for your company?
We focus on doing the right things for our clients and our people every day and the right things for our business over the medium and long-term. There will be ups and downs over in the short term, but if we stay true to those commitments, over an extended period our businesses will continue to be a growth engine that will enable us to deliver on major assignments and make a difference for our clients while providing our people with stimulating opportunities.