Intro to interview preso - Sara Meaney. Partner and left brain of Comet Branding, based out of Milwaukee, Wis. Wanted to interview Sara for several reason … I’d seen her present at many social media, PR, marketing type conferences and was very impressed and motivated by her She is a leader in all aspects of her life - at work, in the industry and in the community While I’m not looking to change careers, I found it very beneficial to talk to someone in my industry about leadership, their styles and how they make it work in their organization. Everything she said is very applicable to multiple industries and I hope you guys can get as much out of my presentation as I did out of the interview…
Sara partnered with Al Kruegar in early 2009. Comet Branding has been in extreme growth mood ever since. Comet now employs 8 people (up from ___ in 2009)
Al and Sara make a great team - presenting Sara as the left brain (business, strategy and logistics) of the company and Al as the right brain (more creative, big picture) - Made it in MKE Biz Journal’s 40 emerging generation of leaders under 40 list KNOWING THEIR PARTNERSHIP ++ THE CLASS DISCUSSION’S WE’VE HAD ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF 50/50 PARTNERSHIPS, I asked Sara “ how her and Al made it work?” • Like a second marriage – gender has nothing to do with it. • Huge dedication to communication. Sometimes let things slip… go by without addressing and it creates issues. • Sara & Al agreed from the very beginning that they would meet outside of the office once a week to review what’s going on. Put together a process of constructive criticism / feedback for each other to grow and be each others mentors . • Fortunately they agree on the big things. Small things may be a different story. Need to realize they you can like a person very much and disagree completely on a topic AND not have it impact the relationship. Here they need to stay connected because $ and other people’s lives (their employees) are on the line.
Quick background on Sara … Prior to Comet, • Vice president of a communications agency • Head of marketing for a leading national accounting firm • Managing director of marketing & communications for an investment company • Marketing director for a biotech company Among other positions .., However, BA is in psychology / pre-med Explains her start in sales for a pharmaceutical company - moved from sales >> sales training >> sales & marketing >> marketing - developing concepts and full campaigns for the organization Harvard Biz School - 3 WK COURSE IN BUSINESS MARKETING STRATEGY Kellogg School of Management - SIMILAR STYLE PROGRAM ON INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS - philosophy of how customer needs need to be worked in business operations
Leader in all aspects - especially in her Industry Sara & her partner Al are known as experts in the PR/Marketing/Social Media realm. Clients seek them out because of this reputation. And those in the industry seek them out for their knowledge and credibility.
You don’t have to be a boss to be a leader, and just because you are a boss that doesn’t immediately make you a leader.
Not easy with such fast-pace, ever changing advancements in technology … SmartBrief - cover topics of numerous industries, specifically one on leadership Online resources make it easy to consume LARGE amounts of information, but it’s important to …
Sara is successful in her industry because she is successful in her organization LEADER OF ORGANIZATION She is fun, real, understanding, and knows how to get the work done.
All comes back to how the decision impacts the growth and success of the company … does it help sustain success and growth? * Need to take care of your people. Human factor of organizations are extremely important. How will your decisions/actions impact your people – their stress levels, their motivation, the quality of their work … good or bad.
She gave examples of what they do, such as Comet 30 minute tours … However, the biggest thing that stuck out to me was her comment about needing to review and balance their intent with the actual results. The field trips get the team out of the office and are meant to refresh and inspire … however, they may at times be seen as work due to the workload that gets put on hold while they are out having “fun” Important to monitor and evaluate It’s success for the team and each individual.
People can tell when you are bullshitting them. Honest – mean what you say. How is it going to affect others. Empathy is huge and it doesn’t have to be soft. – core to success.
Understanding the needs of the new generation entering the workplace. How to communicate, read them, what do they expect for rewards, how do they expect to be treated… UNDERSTAND HOW TO MOTIVATE/engage. LISTEN! Lead to more conversation on - how everyone’s definition of listening or being heard is different. Sara’s explained how she’s the learned the hard way because of her active, additive listening style… she gets excited and shares that excitement == 2 outcomes… feel interrupted or energized by her response. Need to adopt your listening/communication style to the other person. Listening is an off chute of empathy. Pay attention and properly read/analyze verbal and nonverbal cues.
Business is pretty young – coming up on 2 years … so none of these have really been written done for all to see. One example – value people over $ Felt core values were most important because they ultimately are reflected in or drive the mission and vision of a company anyway.
Demonstrate with actions … more than just talk. Value feedback, respect time and needs consistently.
You can’t just be a leader in the workplace … your leadership needs to be demonstrated outside of the office as well LEADER IN COMMUNITY Among many things, Meaney volunteers with the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Also actively participating in the Creativity Works! Milwaukee regional creative economy project.
Sara is drawn to 2 areas – arts/creativity + education/children. With any community involvement, you NEED TO BE PASSIONATE about it in order to allocate your time to it. Important on many levels to lead outside of the office … to set an example and to support people who don’t have the same recourses that you do. Look it as more than you giving your time and/or resources … you can get something out of it too. It can be an educational and inspirational experience that feeds/contributes to your passion and enjoyment.
Being passionate and focused on what you do for a living is important, but you need to take time for yourself Sara is married with 2 children. When I say she’s a leader at home, it’s not to imply she rules the household … but she knows how to balance home and work, but it’s tough! She’s actually very fortunate to have a supportive husband, who is a full time stay-at-home dad. And that’s what he wants to do! She noted 2 important things in her response …
NEED to find ways to blow off steam. INVEST in yourself. Sara’s goal in 2011 is to take a class and/or read a book that is NOT work related.
interesting position - We want it all – to be the loving mom, the perfect wife and homemaker, AND to be the professional. Note: Sara nor myself are extreme Feminists by any means. Sara noted she feels we really need to be aware of the different dynamics of being a woman leader. Specifically, I asked Sara what her colleagues would say her leadership style is … She said she’s been told she’s a “ball buster” When she was told that it was meant as a good thing – but I doesn’t always sound that way. Sara is strong, smart, focused on numbers and strategy, she is determined, knows what needs to get done and she gets it done. She stated that a male of those characteristics would probably be labeled a “go-getter” … NOT a ball-buster. Share Why women should flirt article … Depending on the scenarios, women leaders are at times perceived differently in the workplace. Men may be intimated by them. Women may be jealous. Both are competitive. Leaders need to help lift each other and others out of this unnecessary drama and conflict and we will all become stronger.
Pay attention to how people respond to you, be aware of your perception and ADAPT/hone your style. How do you become self - aware? ASK for feedback without becoming defensive! Influence model … I did ask sara if she was familiar with the model/the book because of how often she was utilizing the concepts/terminology of the book. She was not, but definitely applying the key components of what makes it all work.
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