Paula Palmi, VP of Global Quality at Ecolab, discusses building yourself as a leader. She recommends starting with defining your career goals and making sure your resume supports those goals. Consider taking lateral moves to develop new skills and showcase your strengths. Maintain your competitive edge by taking charge of your own development, seeking feedback, and regularly reflecting on your career progression. Own your development and partner with your manager to improve business results, drive team progress, and continue learning.

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BUILDING YOURSELF AS A LEADER
Paula Palmi
VP Global Quality, ECOLAB

2. A LITTLE ABOUT ME…
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BS Chemistry
Started as QE Mfg
Individual contributor
Manager
Plant & Divisional
Corporate
Cross Functions
Oldest of Six
Married at 38
Husband has a career
Two children, 17 & 15
One pet..Sophie
We love the outdoors
Exercise
Reading
Kid Activities
Career My Life outside of Work

3. CAREER MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY
 Managing your career requires you to view your
professional development as a path or a
direction, rather than a point, a job or
destination.
 Your career is not a one-time decision made
after graduation, but rather an iterative process
that you refine or redefine as you grow & learn.
Source: Harvard Manage Mentor

4. TODAY’S TOPIC
Building Yourself as a Leader
 Start with the End in Sight
 Consider the Career Lattice
 Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
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START WITH THE END IN SIGHT

6. WHAT’S THE GOAL?
 Be Employable
 Would YOU hire YOU?
 If you can see it, build your resume to support
it
 If not defined, conduct informational
interviews, seek feedback and work with
mentors until it IS.
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CONSIDER THE CAREER LATTICE

8. CHANGING THE WORLD OF WORK
Rise in nontraditional families
Converging expectations of men and women
Flattened hierarchies
Shortage of critical talent
Evolving needs of generations
8Deloitte Development, “The Corporate Lattice.”

9. RELENTLESS FOCUS ON GROWTH &
DEVELOPMENT
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that 60 percent of all new jobs in
the early 21st century will require skills that only 20 percent of the current
workforce possesses
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Deloitte Development, “The Corporate Lattice.”

10. THE MISTAKEN FOCUS: TITLES OR POSITIONS
Be EXCELLENT in current role
Challenge
yourself
Showcase your
Strengths
Take Lateral
Moves
Develop new
skills
Position yourself to stand out

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MAINTAINING YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE

12. TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT
No one cares more about your growth and success
than YOU do!
Don’t “delegate” OR “relegate” your development to
your manager or anyone else—own it and drive it
yourself.
PARTNER with your manager and engage him/her in
your success and development.
1st Key to Success: Own it!

13. 2nd Key to Success: Think Win-Win!
Go for the “Triple
Play”
Improve
Biz Results
Drive Team
Progress
Learn
While
Doing
Sweet
Spot
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT

14.  Head issues or concerns off at the pass
 Learn and adapt quickly (improve results AND keep
learning)
 Help create a learning and feedback-friendly environment
 Find a mentor who will be honest with your blind spots
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT
3rd Key to Success:
Seek Feedback and Coaching Early & Often

15. 4th Key to Success:
Ask for What You Need to be Successful
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Anticipate what you will need and enlist
support
Be realistic is creating your plan forward
Acknowledge those who support you

16. 5th Key to Success:
Reflect Annually on “What’s Next?”
Master your craft?
Explore something new?
Increase scope /accountability?
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT
Improve
Biz Results
Drive Team
Progress
Learn
While
Doing
Sweet
Spot

17. “Success seems to be connected
with action. Successful people
keep moving. They make
mistakes, but they don’t quit.”
- Conrad Hilton
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Thank you for your time!