Grant Blair grew up in suburban Connecticut during the 1970s and 80s, surrounded by family values that emphasized discipline and balance. His father was an orthodontist, his mother a legal secretary, and his 4 years older sister a smart bookworm who excelled at singing and theater. When not watching the Red Sox, Celtics, UConn basketball or movies, Grant filled his time with tennis, little league baseball, youth basketball at the YMCA and youth leagues in his hometown, and drumming in concert and jazz bands or on his drum kit in the basement. These extracurricular activities taught him the value of hard work, discipline, focus, patience, and how to work well with others — lessons that would stay with him for life.
After earning his BA degree in History from Northwestern University, Grant built a career defined by curiosity and consistency. Over the years, he developed a reputation for being a steady hand in complex environments, the person people turn to when things need to get done. His experience spans education/teaching, customer success, and account management, including key roles at Shipwire/Ingram Micro Commerce & Lifecycle Services and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
At every stage, Grant has stayed grounded in his belief that success is built on listening, clear communication, and empathy. Whether managing a team or solving a client issue, he brings a calm, solutions-oriented mindset that turns challenges into opportunities.
Outside of work, Grant enjoys fantasy sports, movies, organizing local meetup events, live music, comedy, and theater. He’s a firm believer that life’s success isn’t measured in how fast you get things done, but in how well you connect with others along the way. His story reminds us that leadership starts with patience, curiosity, and genuine care for people.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I pour myself a cold drink (or two), review my task list, and check for any client or team updates. I believe in tackling the “hot” high priority tasks first — the kind that requires full attention and creative energy. Later in the day, I leave time for meetings, collaboration, and follow-ups. Productivity for me isn’t necessarily about speed but rather about rhythm — knowing when to push and when to hold back.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by listening. Whether it’s a client challenge or an internal process issue, I gather every piece of context first. At Shipwire/Ingram Micro, I once sat with a frustrated client for two hours, just asking questions. That meeting revealed one small integration gap that turned into a company-wide improvement. I like to think of ideas as puzzles — every conversation adds a new piece.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by how data transparency is reshaping customer relationships. More companies are realizing that honest reporting builds trust faster than polished promises. It’s no longer about hiding behind dashboards — it’s about showing real numbers, real results.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I take 10-15 minutes throughout the day to step away from work and walk. No phone use, no bluetooth or music on headphones, just a short walk or quiet break outdoors where I can feel the sun, hear the birds chirp and just relax and decompress. That routine helps me calm down, put things in perspective and reset before getting back to work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do what makes you happy and never give up on your dreams.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think silence is underrated. Some people rush to fill every gap in a conversation, but silence gives room for processing and organizing one’s thoughts. During client calls, I’ll often wait a beat before responding. It’s amazing how much people reveal when you give them space.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Revisit old notes. I keep detailed records from meetings and projects. Looking back helps me see how decisions evolved and where I could have communicated better. It’s a simple habit that pays off over time.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I tap with my hands and feet. I’ve done this since I was a kid and played the drums; the activity relaxes me and clears my head even though it can be annoying or distracting to others nearby.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Asking one more question than expected. At Sony, I learned that most problems aren’t what they seem on the surface. Digging a little deeper — asking why twice — often leads to the real issue. That approach builds trust and helps find solutions faster.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I lost a client because I assumed their silence meant satisfaction. I later found out they were struggling but didn’t feel heard. It taught me that communication isn’t a one-time act — it’s a constant check-in. I now make it a rule never to assume silence is approval.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A “listening lab” for customer teams — a short weekly session where support reps review real interactions together. Not to critique, but to learn tone, timing, and empathy. Most companies analyze metrics; few analyze moments.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Salesforce CRM. It’s more than a database — it’s a living memory. I track patterns, client moods, and communication styles. When used thoughtfully, it becomes less about sales and more about understanding people.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
U2 is my all time favorite band so the recent book “Surrender” by lead singer Bono was of great interest to me. As far as podcasts, I mainly stick to Rotowire fantasy sports but also enjoy the movie podcast “The Big Picture.”
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
As a former teacher I LOVE Abbott Elementary on ABC/Hulu. It’s basically The Office set in a Philadelphia school with the same mockumentary style. It always cracks me up with the different personalities, politics, inside teaching jokes, etc.
Key learnings
- Success often comes from slowing down and listening more than speaking.
- Small process improvements can create major long-term results.
- Silence and curiosity are underrated tools in communication.