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How Smart Women Leaders At Top Tech Companies Benefit From Breakthrough Innovation

Make no mistake, women have come a long way in the tech world.  While threads of self doubt still weave at every level of leadership, at their core, smart women leaders benefit from these breakthrough ideas.

Nobody gets to be a leader by themselves

“It’s collaboration… with mentors, managers, sponsors…nobody gets to be a leader by themselves. From above, below and around – the collaboration from coworkers and colleagues… their passion is infectious. Their smarts, their drive…that’s what gets me up every morning.” Elizabeth Robillard, VP of Partnerships at Lytics, one of the fastest growing startups in Portland, OR and Principle at www.networkingatwork.com

“Support is the key word – when a manager offers herself as a resource, it’s immense for coworkers. Anything I do,  it takes a village, no leader can do it on their own. The level of support from my circles, all the way up and all the way down, is what makes all the difference.” Tami Wood, Community Lead at Jaguar Land Rover Innovation Labs and 2019 Winner of Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award.

Cultivate a culture that allows the team to freely collaborate

A big struggle in the process of innovation is when teams don’t feel safe to bring their ideas.

We need to push each other to do our best and bring ideas, innovation is a team sport.

Thrive on being pushed forward

“Women tend to be over prepared, because they’ve usually had to work harder as young girls. My parents pushed me hard. I pushed myself to be the best, to get all As. But you don’t get As at work. That’s not what you do it for.”

Now you don’t work hard to get the grade, you work hard to build something lasting. You have to be passionate about what you are doing. Find people that inspire you to be your best self at work.” Elizabeth Robillard

Be present for the chaos

“So what that you haven’t done that job before. I’m like a Swiss Army Knife, every day I show up and it may feel uncomfortable, but that’s the difference of being present for the chaos of innovation.  It’s not about making perfect decisions. It’s about making the right decision, right now, with the information we have at the time.” Elizabeth Robillard

The power is in staying curious, not having to be right

“It’s a big challenge to stay relevant in today’s world. Who are you relevant for? Why do we care? Why do we operate the way we do? That curiosity factor changes every outcome for the better.” Cindy Tortorici, CEO and Owner, The Link, LLC

The more we risk the more we learn

“It’s about taking risks… healthy risks, but the more you take, the more you learn. That’s what innovation is all about.” Cindy Tortorici

Be loud enough to be listened to

“There are always going to be obstacles and challenges. It’s common for women to strive to work harder, to get our voices heard in any industry, but definitely in tech. I’m more aware of this in tech… of having to prove myself… sometimes that’s harder than actually having to do the work. “

“You have to be loud to have your voice heard, but being loud, too often, women are being told they are coming across hard and angry or complaining too much and that’s when the ears shut down. You’ve got to figure out the balance – how to be heard, but more importantly, listened to.” Tami Wood

Call out what you bring to the table

“Too often women miss their own magic because it comes easy to them.  They don’t often celebrate or pay attention to it, maybe they’ve never even named it.

“You’ve got to name it.  Call it out. Call out what you bring to the table, not only for yourself but for your team and your company.” Cindy Tortorici

Learn to negotiate for yourself

“Know your value and worth then make sure it’s clear to those who are in power. It’s not always ‘I’m working really hard.’ We all work really hard… we are all juggling things. Your value is unique and has to do with outcomes that your team values. Yes it’s teamwork, but recognize yourself, so others will too.”

“We can undermine ourselves if we don’t know our own value.” Elizabeth Robillard

Constantly be developing, personally

“As a leader we have to continue to grow ourselves, not only does it set a model, but if we plateau it’s harder to lead.”

“Knowing there is always room for improvement for yourself, you look at others with more empathy. What I’ve been through gives me insight to sense about what people have been through in their own lives.”

“Don’t overlook what stops others with their confidence. As a leader you greatly impact decisions and behavior. Lead from a problem solving view. This fosters real innovation.” HsuanHua Chang, Executive Coach and Seattle Network Director for Women In Technology International

Never Give up

“Set a goal and pursue it with clarity of purpose.  Have the confidence to see beyond the challenges. Every situation has at least two sides…learn to change perspectives, this can expand your vision. Just don’t give up.” HsuanHua Chang

See beyond the challenge

“We all have personal challenges. I came to this country in 1982 and I still face discrimination as an immigrant. You have to continue to show up and be who you are and your presence will overcome any bias.” HsuanHua Chang

Your magic is who you are at your core

“Women tend to take themselves out of the game when they lose touch with their core values. The imposter syndrome creeps in… you tend to want to become invisible, but that’s when you’ve got to get back in the game and realign with what makes you unique.” Cindy Tortorici

Align your workplace value with your core values

“Always be looking for alignment between what you value and what your company values. When you get that, you’ve got the best definition of success. You won’t ever be happy in a place that is misaligned to your values.” Elizabeth Robillard

Find a Sponsor

“Mentors are great but sponsors are more impactful. Sponsors have the power to help identify the next level of leaders, while mentors helps you grow… two different things. Get the people in power to believe in you, get them to help.”

“Networks, friends and family are incredibly important, but you need somebody who doesn’t just give you advice, they actually put you forward. They believe in you so much they actively move you forward in your career. That’s very different than a mentor.” Elizabeth Robillard

We are all imperfect

“There is always something we are working on.”

“I feel like I’m a powerful woman and leader…well respected and results driven… and still that doubt of ‘Am I good enough?  Can I do this job?’ …that’s there.”

“I still work on this every day. It’s why being around people who are going to support you is so important. We are all going to have these moments.”

“We are all building something that hasn’t been built before. After all, that’s the definition of innovation. The fear that you are going to fail….that’s real and inevitably you do fail. Be ok with failing, pick yourself up and try again. Ultimately fail fast.” Elizabeth Robillard

Believe in the power of the work you do

“Making sure I am valuable to the people around me and doing what I can to make things better for other people…that’s what works for me. Knowing what I’m good at and using that to benefit other people, that gets me through the best of times and the worst of times.” Tami Wood

Your career success is ultimately up to you

“You must figure out what you want. Then go ask for it…negotiate for it…make room for it and be pushy about it.”

“There is a legitimate pay gap between men and women, but it tends to come from not putting yourself forward. My best advice is to figure out what you want for yourself, for your career and then figure out how to go about getting it.”

“Seek out the resources…find out what you need in order to be successful. Your boss doesn’t know, only you know until you make it known. So you have to get that out on the table, don’t hide from it.” Elizabeth Robillard

Lift each other up

“There is always going to be somebody smarter, better, faster…we will only prevail if we lift each other up. We are grown ups here, I’m not saying unconditionally, but we have to find ways to help each other… to see their gifts and spotlight them.

This is only going to benefit the whole.  I’ve had wonderful women as managers, as mentors, teachers and friends, my mom… Without those women lifting me up and supporting me I couldn’t find those creative moments and couldn’t always see that value in myself.” Tami Wood

Grateful acknowledgement to the powerhouse women leaders who shared their insights for this article. In honor of International Women’s Day and to all the women of this world, you are smart enough, you are strong enough. You CAN do this! Stephana Johnson works with powerhouse leaders who want more results with less BS, for themselves, their team and their bottom line. Contact through www.powerhouseleaders.com

 

This amazing art work you see was done my Kesley Montague on the City Walk in Los Angeles at Universal Studios, aptly titled “What Lifts You up?” #whatliftsyou

My 10 year old son Dax took this shot, 1 of 3 done in under 10 seconds (you can imagine the crowds walking past!) Amazingly enough, in that time there was almost a moment as if time had stopped. The prior times we’d walked past it was so full I knew I would just admire it from afar.

But then, it’s as if the seas parted, because there was a quiet moment and I slipped off my shoes, put my bags down, handed my phone to Dax and ran over to the wall and 1. 2. 3…jumped!

I love this moment. I love this shot. It makes me super happy to look at this as it embodies so much of me and the meaning behind my recent 24 day road trip with my boys.

Excited to share more about that in the coming days!

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The Process To Becoming a Great (Heart Based) Leader

Monday Morning Mentoring

 

I whole heartedly agree with the Dalai Lama’s opinion, “The world will be saved by the western woman”. However, it cannot be saved from the same energy that has created the current culture, mores and structure.

Over the next few weeks I will share insight and recommendations that I have used to help clients transform and lead from an authentic place of power.

Before we can fully LEAD (ourselves, our teams, our companies), there are two key areas that must be addressed.

It may come in the form of healing old wounds for ourselves, our teams, our communities.

It may look like skill development, refining tools, reinforcing policy – whether personal or business.

It may look like letting go of unhealthy relationships, purging unworkable habits or changing course altogether.

Make no mistake, we don’t need to be in suits, nor grandstanding in politics to make the impact we are here to make. We can fully step into leading the lives and businesses we are meant to lead – from right where we are and in each role we have.

No matter your position or situation, the first step in the process of becoming a great leader is to find and cultivate: Unwavering Courage.

When we decide to take a stand, many times we will be targets. Held accountable in ways that men usually are not. This is readily seen in our personal relationships and in business. Just think of the women who choose not to have children and focus on career and calling instead. Judged and ridiculed by men and women alike. Or like powerhouse CEO, Therese Tucker who defied the odds, going all out with her billion dollar tech company and then gets attacked for taking a stand with her hair color. (She just happens to be one of my heroes)

Those are just a couple of the myriad of examples, and I don’t need to go on. The fact is, we as women MUST have UNWAVERING COURAGE.

And what does that really mean?

Courage: noun, the ability to meet danger and difficulties with firmness : the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous

Derived from Old French corage, from Latin cor ‘heart.’

Now this has a lot more meaning to me as a long time Yogi, but it’s not necessary for the work we are doing this week.

You see, the HEART is a key Energy vessel, not just the organ but the essence of our Unity and communion and it is where we need to lead from FIRST.

This piece must be in place.

How do we get unwavering courage? I am going to venture to say that each one of us has expressed in our lives at one time or another that UNWAVERING Courage.

Can you think of a time or two? I can. Just remembering those moments will be a powerful action step this week! When you recall those past moments of unwavering courage – recall every nuance, the smell, the textures, the sounds. Feel into that moment and use that to bring you strength for something you need to find courage in today.

This unwavering courage is something we must each continuously cultivate for ourselves, as well as each other – to build fortitude in order to fulfill our Dreams.

The second piece that we need to focus on is Self Confidence.

The confidence to BE fully oneself without having to tear another down in order to show up. The confidence to support another without forfeiting your own needs. The confidence to take the time you need to restore and reset if you don’t know your exact next steps.

These are just a few examples of how I define SELF CONFIDENCE.

This week, set aside your SELF CARE time with a focus on your HEART. Your hearts desire. Your compassion for self, esif you have been more focused outwardly. Your compassion for other’s if you have been more focused inward. Come in to a balance with this energy.

Take one action that you know you want to complete this week and make a promise to yourself that by the end of the week you will complete that. Whether it is telling someone NO, you will not be attending that party, NO you won’t be volunteering for that fundraiser, or YES, I will take on that role and I’m excited to do so.

Whatever that piece is for you, do it from a place of PURE HEART.

When you have completed that, take the time to honor and acknowledge your hearts choice.

When you need reinforcement, connect to your body’s POWER HOUSE, use your “power stance” and shout, even if silently (but it’s better out loud!)

“I AM COURAGEOUS!! “I CAN DO THIS!”

Here’s to an awesome week!

Go Lead a Life YOU LOVE – Courageously!

Stephana Johnson helps leaders get more results with less BS, for themselves, their team and their bottom line. She is the Founder of Yogilachi® and CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of Powerhouse Leaders and speaks globally on leadership, innovation and resiliency. For more information visit www.powerhouseleaders.com, call 360-210-2160 or email Stephana directly at stephana@stephana.net