A Conversation With Chris Baird, President & CEO OptConnect
Chris Baird is the President and CEO of OptConnect, and his leadership story starts far from the corner office. He joined the company in 2009 as an ATM repair specialist, kept volunteering for the “extra mile” work (where, as he put it, there’s no traffic), and stepped into a bigger responsibility when ownership transitioned and a leadership gap opened. Along the way, he learned his path is hard to copy, but the behaviors behind it are simple: say yes, stay curious, and be humble enough to take feedback without treating it like a personal attack.
Julie and Chris dig into the Failure Gap, that familiar space where everyone agrees something is a good idea, but nothing changes. Chris shares a real example from his leadership team: “false alignment,” when people nod in the meeting and then operate their own plan afterward. Naming it helped them stop “going along to get along” and start getting honest about how they would actually execute together. They also explore how misalignment shows up with customers, like teams optimizing for the lowest price instead of the true cost, then being surprised when “cheap” comes with a side of missing features.
Chris also connects leadership to endurance events, sharing lessons from training for (and surviving) a 70.3 race: grit matters, but systems matter more. Preparation, structure, and team support beat willpower alone, especially when conditions get hot, and your assumptions start melting.
Episode Takeaways
Episode Takeaways
- Curiosity and saying yes create leadership momentum, even when the path is unplanned
- “False alignment” is agreement with unchanged behavior, and it quietly wrecks execution
- If teams optimize for the wrong problem (price vs. total cost), misalignment multiplies
- Grit helps, but disciplined systems, feedback, and preparation carry you farther
- Humility and vulnerability make alignment easier because teams solve problems together
Alignment to big goals often starts with a small moment: raising a hand and asking, “Are we actually aligned, or just being polite?” Bonus: it’s cheaper than another reorg.
Episode Resources
Episode Resources
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Is misalignment holding your organization back?
Aligned teams deliver better results more consistently, and they have deeper connections to each other and their organizations.
Is misalignment holding your organization back?
Aligned teams deliver better results more consistently, and they have deeper connections to each other and their organizations.
Download our free Leadership Alignment Evaluation Tool and take the first step toward transforming how your team works together.
Learn more about Julie and Karrikins Group:
Learn more about Julie and Karrikins Group:
Creators and Guests
Host
Julie Williamson, PhD
Julie Williamson, PhD is the CEO and a Managing Partner at Karrikins Group, a Denver-based, global-serving business consultancy. Author, Keynote Speaker, and Host of The Failure Gap Podcast, Julie is a leading voice in how alignment can transform leaders and organizations.
Guest
Chris Baird
Chris Baird is the President and CEO of OptConnect, a global managed wireless and IoT connectivity company headquartered in Kaysville, Utah. Under his leadership, OptConnect has grown organically and expanded through the acquisition and integration of Premier Wireless Solutions (PWS), M2M DataGlobal in Santiago, Chile, Capestone in Leiden, Netherlands, and DPL Wireless in New Brunswick, Canada. Chris leads the teams responsible for growth strategy, acquisitions, and post- acquisition integration, with a consistent focus on operational discipline and long-term value creation. With nearly two decades of experience in the cellular wireless and IoT sectors, Chris brings a deep understanding of both the technical and human dimensions of building durable companies. His leadership philosophy centers on clarity, trust, and accountability, with a strong belief that sustained performance follows when people are supported, challenged, and aligned around a shared purpose. This approach has guided OptConnect’s evolution from an early-stage startup into a scaled, profitable, and internationally operating enterprise. Chris is known for his ability to lead through complexity and change, particularly in high-growth and acquisition-driven environments. He has a proven track record of developing and executing strategy while maintaining cultural cohesion across geographies and teams. In recognition of his leadership, he was named CEO of the Year by Utah Business Magazine in 2021. During Chris’s tenure, OptConnect has earned repeated industry recognition, including eight consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and numerous “Best Companies to Work For” honors from Inc. Magazine, the Salt Lake Tribune, and Utah Business Magazine. The company has also been recognized by the Mountain West Capital Network as one of Utah’s fastest-growing companies nine times in the last ten years. Additionally, Chris also serves on the Board of Directors at Ogden, UT-based Becklar, where he contributes to governance, strategy, and growth initiatives within the connected safety, security, and technology sector. Chris studied Business Management and Spanish at Weber State University. He lives in Kaysville, Utah, with his wife, Ally, and their four children. Outside of work, he values time with family, travel, and coaching his children’s sports teams, experiences that continue to shape his perspective on spirituality, leadership, resilience, and growth.
