At a recent meeting of the Alliance of Technology and Women, the room buzzed with energy and enthusiasm. Well-dressed, attractive women of all ages and ethnicities shook hands and introduced themselves, forming new relationships while greeting corporate friends.
The U.S. is number 10 on the list of countries with women on corporate boards. According to an article last year in CNN Money, only 14% of companies in the U.S. have female CEOs. The women attending the ATW meeting in Dallas want to improve those statistics.
Two local executives from telecommunications technology giants in Dallas shared their success stories, peppered with advice for the members and guests. Vicki Jones, Vice President of AT&T-Entertainment Group, and Ginger Shelhimer, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Global Talent Acquisition at Ericsson answered questions posed by Tracy Merzi, Publisher of the Dallas Fort Worth Business Journal. “Leadership through Corporate Change” focused on insight into their careers.
Without a script, the speakers offered four specific tips to improve career movement. Let’s start with introspection.
1) Know and share your story with others.
Vicki’s ability to resolve problems causes others to tap on her shoulder when a problem in the business erupts. She told how she was the “fixer” in her family growing up, which translated into her strength when she is now tapped to lead a dysfunctional project or messy team in her organization. Her unusual career has spanned over 30 years with the same company, evolving into her current role with AT&T. Despite monumental layoffs, she survives. One telling comment from Vicki’s career was, “I am low maintenance. When I see something wrong, I often fix it before it becomes a bigger issue.”
Ginger began a career in financial services but quickly grew bored, being more motivated by helping others than by money. Her remarkable career zigs and zags like a train traveling up a mountain. She brings new ideas and energy into her next position or organization with a talent for timing the change. Her business relationships and sense of humor help her move forward with little effort. When someone contacts her for an internal or external opportunity, she listens and asks, “Why not?” but analyzes the responsibilities to assure a “good fit.” She is fearless when facing ambiguity.
2) Fill your car with mentors and cheerleaders.
Both speakers noted that friends, family and colleagues play an integral role in corporate and personal growth. Visibility and listening skills are critical attributes. When starting a new job, Ginger creates new relationships, not only in her area, but across functions. Lunchtime learning is not necessarily in a structured classroom. She emphasized that even meeting someone sitting beside you on a plane can be a crucial conversation. She calls her close friends and colleagues her “cheerleaders,” telling the group to “Fill your car with cheerleaders” along your career journey.
3) Be a life-long learner.
Vicki began her job with no degree yet recognized the need for education to fit the company requirements for advancement. While working heinous hours, she took time to achieve both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
When Ginger left the financial markets, she gravitated to an advanced degree in Counseling. Those skills assist in every step of her human resources career.
Both Ginger and Vicki cautioned the group not to overthink next career steps. Disruptions and economic realities often lead to stronger leadership skills and unexpected opportunities.
4) Politics can be impactful.
Politics can cause sleepless nights. The speakers agree that awareness of power and personalities plays an integral role in leadership and careers. They suggest “awareness of, but not involvement in,” politics.
Tracey Merzi, the moderator, asked pertinent questions as the women rolled rapidly from topic to topic. Bold questions from the members during Q&A left the audience smiling with authentic, yet diplomatic, responses with humor, another great attribute of success.
Ginger and Vicki presented worthwhile criteria for self-improvement. Be prepared to answer with one or two words when asked who you are. Then think about who your cheerleaders are and how they helped in the past and will help in the future. If you want a leadership role, be aware of politics, the need for ongoing education, and use your intuition along with a willingness to serve others and resolve issues. These are the keys to improve the abysmal statistics about the number of women succeeding in corporate America.
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