In this episode of Workday Gold, I sat down with Eric Olson, VP of Customer Operations at OneSource Virtual (OSV), to talk about his journey in the Workday ecosystem and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From raising his hand to take on Workday payroll when no one else would, to navigating the uncertainty of acquisitions and senior leadership, Eric’s story is a roadmap for anyone looking to grow their career while staying grounded through change.

Eric began his Workday journey at CPSG Partners in 2013. Like many of us, his path wasn’t a straight line; it included transitions between companies, roles, and responsibilities. But one moment stood out: the decision to say “yes” to learning payroll. That bold move shaped the rest of his career. As he put it, if he hadn’t taken that leap, he might not be at OSV today. It’s a reminder that volunteering for something challenging, something nobody else wants to do, can change everything.

We also talked about the real impact of mergers and acquisitions. Eric emphasized how culture clashes between merged organizations can linger for years if not addressed. In the Workday consulting world, where “people are the business,” successful change management is critical. 

Eric then gave us a behind-the-scenes look at OSV post-divestiture. With the professional services and AMS groups sold to Cognizant, OSV now focuses exclusively on Business Process as a Service, offering in-tenant payroll, tax, benefits, and finance services for Workday customers. This streamlined focus has enabled OSV to partner more broadly across the ecosystem, no longer seen as a competitor, but as a specialized service provider. It’s a strategic shift that’s paying off.

Finally, we explored the evolution from individual contributor to senior leader. Eric shared how letting go of the “doer” mindset and empowering others is essential in leadership. The higher up you go, the broader your perspective must become and the more trust you have to place in your team. Sometimes that means holding onto information you can’t yet share and navigating the awkward “yo-yo effect” of decisions that may never be finalized. It’s not easy, but it’s part of leading well.

Whether you’re new to Workday, managing your first team, or wondering how to grow without a clear roadmap, Eric’s advice is solid: keep learning, stay curious, and raise your hand for something new.