Three Leadership Lens
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Patrice D'Eramo, Vice President of Americas Field Marketing at Cisco, gave a presentation to the Empowered Women's Network in Cancun, Mexico. She discussed how technology jobs will make up 90% of future jobs, the importance of having an updated career plan, investing in your education and experience, and paying skills and opportunities forward to help other women. She shared her own life journey and lessons learned to inspire women in their careers.
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Three Leadership Lens
- 1. Cisco Confidential 1© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Patrice D’Eramo Vice President, Americas Field Marketing Today, Tomorrow, Transformed. Empowered Women’s Network Cancun, Mexico
- 2. Cisco Confidential 2© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Empowered Women’s Network
- 3. Cisco Confidential 3© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Empowered Women’s Network
- 4. Cisco Confidential 4© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. The Good News • In the future, 90% of all jobs will be technology jobs • Five of the 20 highest-earning occupations are in computing • Recruiters cannot fill fast growing IT jobs quick enough
- 5. Cisco Confidential 5© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Expanded Thinking Innovation Bigger Profits Greater Diversity Leads to:
- 6. Cisco Confidential 6© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Stronger Communities Greater Diversity Leads to
- 7. Cisco Confidential 7© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. My Life Journey
- 8. Cisco Confidential 8© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Life Lenses Personal CommunityProfessional
- 9. Cisco Confidential 9© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Know How to Get There Have an Updated Plan Pay it Back and Pay it Forward
- 10. Cisco Confidential 10© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Have an Updated Plan
- 11. Cisco Confidential 11© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Know How to Get There Invest in Yourself: Education, Experience and Exposure
- 12. Cisco Confidential 12© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Move Out of Your Comfort Zone
- 13. Cisco Confidential 13© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Build Your Personal Career Board Coaches, Mentors, Sponsors and Colleagues
- 14. Cisco Confidential 14© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Roll With the Punches
- 15. Cisco Confidential 15© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Pay it Back and Pay it Forward Be a Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself
- 16. Cisco Confidential 16© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
- 17. Cisco Confidential 17© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. “Well behaved women seldom make history.” – Harvard Professor Laurel Thatcher Ulrich Gracias Obrigado Thanks! pderamof@cisco.com in/patricederamo @patriceDF
Editor's Notes
- Opening Question (get participation) How many of you is this your first Cisco Live? How many are technical side (engineers), business side, manage people? How many are Cisco Customers? Partners? The numbers say that there is the greatest percentage of women attending THIS Cisco Live — 25% greater — in Latin America, than any other region. Thank you for being here!
- Your career is a conscious choice! We need to exercise our own personal power in a field that is dominated by men. And we need to exercise our entire network of women -- AND MEN! – so that all of us contribute to our full potential.
- Your career is a conscious choice! We need to exercise our own personal power in a field that is dominated by men. And we need to exercise our entire network of women -- AND MEN! – so that all of us contribute to our full potential.
- Good news stats – In fact, In the future, it’s predicted that 90% of all jobs will be technology jobs! Women hold over half of all professional jobs in the United States Of the 20 occupations with the highest median earnings for women, 5 are in the computing industry -computer software engineers, computer and Information system managers, computer programs, computer scientist and system analysts, and network system and data communication analysts. Employment experts say recruiters cannot fill fast-growing IT jobs quickly enough, especially for big data, mobile technology, cloud computing and security (college students, I hope you’re listening). The competition to hire qualified women software engineers has heated up as companies see that they need diverse perspectives to build products that attract the widest audience Patrice’s view – women in the IT industry are fantastic employees – strong work ethics, values – collaborative/get things done and the changes/what is being implemented has staying power Where we need improvement: In large multinational high tech companies – 1 in 4 positions are occupied women Women account for only 31% of the IT workforce—a percentage that has not grown since 2008 Women hold only 20% of CIO positions at Fortune 250 companies and only 14% of Executive Offices in the Fortune 500 Women are 3x less likely than men to be in senior technical roles. (ABI and Clayman Institute on gender, 2008) And we’re having a “brain drain” of women AND girls at the front end and backend. Only 14.5% of the people graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science are women. The US Dept of Commerce estimates that one million high tech jobs that could go unfilled between now and 2020, with economic consequences of $800-$100 billion at year. And even when women join: Women leave at 2 times the rate of men. 56% leave by mid-level. (HBR, 2008) EXTRA STATS: Women in tech is good for business! Stanford fellow Vivek Wadwha notes: “Through the centuries, women have rarely been given credit for their achievements, and have been discouraged from studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics because they’re considered male fields. They face discrimination at all points of their careers and are shunned by venture capitalists.” YET: His research finds that: Women-led private technology companies are more capital-efficient … achieve 35 percent higher return on investment, and, when venture-backed, bring in 12 percent higher revenue than male-owned tech companies. Segue: But it’s bigger than just “put women in charge.” It’s about women’s voices being heard as an equal part of the whole.
- Gender is one lens through which to view diversity. But we’re really talking about diversity in ALL its forms: Gender, and racial, regions of the world, and life experience … By having diversity within a company, [CLICK] One’s thinking expands… [CLICK] Innovation expands … [CLICK] By having diversity bigger profits As only a few examples: Companies reporting the highest levels of diversity brought in nearly 15x more sales revenue on average Companies with Gender Diverse Boards outperform male-only by 26% CLICK TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO COMPLETE THE THOUGHT
- …. And greater diversity leads to stronger communities within a company, institution or government I grew up as a first generation American – my family is from Italy With diversity we as individuals, business, governments and society can reach out fullest potential.
- I have seen the tech revolution evolve for 28 years now and am thrilled to have played my own role in it -- and it was by accident! As VP of Americas Field Marketing for Cisco, I’m deeply invested in the future of IT. I’m thrilled to work for an amazing technology company that is changing the way we live, work, learn and play. BUT: If you’d met me as a kid you’d never have guessed I’d end up where I am now! [CLICK] I was shy, didn’t talk till I was 3, was an introvert! [CLICK] I used to wear dresses to my college classes because I wanted to be in business and Had NO interest in the IT industry! In fact, there were two classes in college that I almost failed which were both programing classes. [CLICK] moved to Washington, DC and started in the tech area [CLICK] And as a mother of two daughters and a husband who we will celebrate our 20th anniversary this month, I’ve been through the twists and turns of balancing motherhood and career. [CLICK] Fast forward: I’ve now devoted my entire career to the IT industry! And along the way I’ve had my adventures ….. (refer to the camel photo) I only got to this place through amazing mentors, coaches, and lessons learned along the way. I want to share a few of them with you today in hopes they can help you on your path.
- The final workshop this evening, you’ll go through an exercise to create your life’s mission. I think this is extremely important. We focus so much on career, but I think the biggest question is: What kind of LIFE do you want to live? I see life as three lenses: Personal, Professional, and Community. Those make the whole you – and you bring the whole you to work! When I look back on my life it’s the friends, I have, the colleagues I have, the family I have. They have often become intertwined. The way I see it: During and at the end of your life, how do people describe you? Do they describe you in one dimension or multi-dimensions? I’m a true believer that it’s the multi-dimensional part of you that makes your life much richer, and is foundational to how you’re remembered. Let me give you an example: EARLY in your career: It’s all about “me.” It’s about developing yourself and getting ahead. Friends you’re making, what you’re accomplishing. In the MIDDLE: Your priorities can change. My situation did when I decided to have a family -- Made me realize it’s not all about me – sensitized me, made me more empathetic. The next THIRD: There’s a different intensity. You are more established, you learned a lot of lessons it is about what you are doing to give back and take what you learned and apply it to something bigger and/or better for your community. We all need to figure out how to create a balance and I will tell you it doesn’t happen at a point in time, it is over time. Backup notes Many of my colleagues have become friends for life. I rely on them to guide me through situations. Friends have kids older than me, and share their wisdom. It’s the network of people who support you in all aspects in life. My family has been with me every step of the way Involved in major decisions There through thick and thin; remind me of what’s important. Taking children to work – daughter on a business trip and she pointed out things I could have done better! (I though it was going to be me as the mentor. ) Parents / siblings: Team D’Eramo Flack I believe that as women, we have a tremendous opportunity to redefine the definition of what it means to have life-work balance. Pay attention to the things in your personal life that are giving you a wake-up call. When HP was acquiring Compaq. I had a 2-year-old daughter and was about 18 weeks’ pregnant with my second daughter. Barely keeping up. Made me realize: There had to be some balance because no one else is going to create it!
- There are three aspects that I think are key to building a thriving career, and a thriving LIFE! The first: Have a plan, not what is important to you and where your passion is – for me I loved selling, I wanted to make money and I wanted to feel like whatever I was doing I was making a difference. The second: Know how to move forward with your plan And finally: How to pay it back – and forward – to others on a similar path. Let’s start with the first.
- Most people don’t have an updated plan – they don’t take the long view. Then around performance reviews, they think, “Oh, man, what did I do?” At least have clarity around where you THINK you want to go! Think one year out, and pace yourself throughout the year. Traditional language sees career like “climbing the corporate ladder.” I see it as a jungle gym. Most careers are not linear! Starting with my own. Have a plan, but don’t be so locked in that you can’t think outside the box! When I look back on my career, it wasn’t a clear roadmap. I knew I wanted to be in sales – lead and motivate people. Knew I wanted to have a family. I asked myself: Was I learning and contributing? Did I make as much money as possible? Did I integrate the elements of my life that matter to me? As my career unfolded, learned what I liked and didn’t like. Began to adapt and have more clarity on what I want and how to get there. As you go through your life there will be lots of twists and turns, and some may not appear as pleasant – but they can open up opportunities you never thought of. Life is going to throw you curve balls throughout; embrace them. STORY: JOB FOR HP / Cisco I wanted to work for them because I believed in what they stood for When I decided to have children, I took a step down in my career. Opportunity to take a particular job – Hewlett Packard in the Heyday (early 90’s). Afforded me the ability to not work as intensively as I normally would do after having a second child Also: Opportunity with a company I so admired! Then joined Cisco – took a lateral move in 5 years received 2 promotions Not a linear projection, but it ultimately paid off. This opened up because I declared I wanted to be passionate and learn about whatever industry/job I was in, whatever I did I wanted to make a difference.
- Once you have your plan, decide what you need to get there. First, you must invest in yourself! You invest in your physical health, right? Invest in yourself from an intellectual and career standpoint. Take the time to do the things appropriate to grow and develop. It’s our nature as women to take care of everyone and everything in front of us and we’re the last ones to get care. You’ve got to elevate yourself to the ranks of everyone else you’re taking care of. Education: How are you continually learning and advancing your knowledge about your industry? How can you always put a learning culture upfront? Experience: Where do you want to be and what kind if experience do you need to get in order to have those skill sets? Throw yourself into it. How to get your hands dirty? Exposure: Explore it! How do you get exposed to different opportunities, so you can get even more clarity about what you want to do? Try new things, take risks, and if and when you fail, fail fast and fail forward. Think of where you want to go/explore options beyond what you see. Look for “leadership” opportunities – individual or team. PREPARE for opportunities. If you look at successful people, yes, they were in the right place at the right time. But so were some other people. The difference: these people were preparing and positioning themselves, and seized the opportunities.
- Women need to shift from thinking, “I’m not ready to do that” to thinking, “I WANT to do that, I’ll learn from it.” When you know you’re in your comfort zone too long – what’s the next opportunity? Studies show that women will often not apply for a job unless they have 100% of the qualifications, whereas men will apply if they have only 60%. When you look at an opportunity, make your first question NOT, “am I qualified?” Make it: Does the opportunity intrigue me? Can you learn a lot? Can you provide value? Can you make a difference? Keep it fun but make it hard; do something outside of your expertise. I’m someone who constantly pushes myself out of my comfort zone at different points. STORY: The manager everyone feared Two years into my first job at HP: Closed a $10 million deal. Political battle in the company – everyone wanted a piece of it. Sat down with the GM … everyone was intimidated by him. He was wicked smart. Amazing leader but quiet; never knew what he was thinking. (Mine and Bruce Klein’s boss at HP …) Had my “hour of fame” with him: He told me all the reasons I WASN’T going to get the commission. I said, “I’m a businessperson like you. I want what’s right for our team – we earned our commission.” Also: “In the future, if we won’t get the commission, you’ll have to transition the opportunity to someone else. ” I had passion – but I was also unemotional, laying out the facts. Six weeks later, he called me: “I have a spot on the marketing team I want you to interview for.” At that point, I’d only done sales. Interviewed – got the job. Called him up later and asked, “tell me why I got it?” He said: You have the least experience. You don’t know marketing. But you stood up as a person and a professional, and that’s what I want on the team. I can teach you the rest of the stuff. You have the tenacity, the work ethic, the drive. I can’t teach you the values.” DIFFERENCE: I did my homework and thought about what it COULD be, not what it WAS. Thought long and hard about my role. … I showed hunger and tenacity that made up for my lack of experience. You can’t know what will happen – and you’re READY. You think you know what you’re walking into, and you don’t know HALF of what you’re walking into! You will go from a point of knowing a lot in your previous job to being extremely vulnerable and NOT knowing. You’ll rely on your intelligence, your gut your instincts. The people around you will pull you through it.
- As you execute on your plan Let people now what you’re trying to do! Build a “career board.” Bring people in the fold and let them know they can serve as your coaches, mentors, colleagues, and sponsors. These are the people who are going to be brutally honest with you even when you don’t want to hear it. These are going to be the people that speak up on your behalf when you’re not in the room. They can also look out for other opportunities that may be adjacent to what you’re thinking about. Thanks to my own “career board,” I’ve had some pretty interesting things come my way without having them in my plan. STORY: College professor In college, I knew I wanted to be in sales, but I was NOT on the IT track! A college professor, Dr. Trainor, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Patrice, there’s this internship with a company called Digital Equipment Corporation I want you to go for.” I shared that I’d almost failed two programming classes. He said, “You just go try it.” I did and that was a defining moment for me. This man literally changed my thinking. STORY: Vic Becker – Taught me what leadership was all about in difficult situations and now has been a friend for over a decade
- STORY: The time I wasn’t supposed to be a VP Four years ago, going through a management program. I had lost someone really significant and had gotten to a bad point. Within two days, the coach pulls me aside: “You’re not demonstrating leadership skills of a VP status. Therefore, if someone were to ever ask me if you’d be a good VP candidate, I’d have to tell them no.” I knew where I stood – And, was NEVER going to end up that way. Over 12 weeks, had to turn this around: Every project that came up, I was going to play a role. When I couldn’t contribute technically, I brought business sense. I made sure the roles were balanced. I wasn’t always a leader, because leaders have to lead AND support. Final: Had to present to executives within Cisco, and everyone could choose a part or not. I raised my hand. During the presentation I actually made a mistake! Used it as an opportunity for humor. Coach: The way you handled it turned the presentation into a discussion. Upshot: Turned out beautifully. The coach became a big champion and sponsor when it came time for the opportunity I’m now in. Be willing to listen. Feedback creates self-awareness. Again: Who’s on your career board? Who are the people who will advocate for you when you’re not in the room? Ask for feedback, tell them what you want, get them on your side. The feedback from the coach was a HUGE wake-up call. From that point forward, I had to make sure I was self-aware. No one wants to hear negative things. But it’s important to ask for feedback, and to emotionally disconnect and WANT to hear what they’re saying, not feeling like you need to defend yourself. Then, YOU make a decision whether you’re going to take it or not. Extra comments about feedback, vulnerability and transparency: STORY: Leadership feedback in VP role Two years ago, a year into this job: Sat in front of my team in a circle I shared all the leadership feedback I’d received: Good, bad, ugly. I said: “Here’s what I’m going to be accountable for. You can expect it. Here’s what I’m NOT going to change. Example: I wasn’t responsive enough on my VM messages. I said, “Folks, I’ve got this thing called a cell phone. You can use it.” Example: There was a perception I have all the answers. But I was continually reaching back to the team to solicit opinions and understand recommendations, where people thought I had my mind made up. I said, “When I personally know a decision’s been made, I promise you I will never solicit advice. But the majority of time, I don’t have decisions. When I don’t know, I’ll ask.” STORY: Vulnerability and Authenticity as a leader I’ve gotten recent feedback that I could be more vulnerable You need to know when to be vulnerable and when not to be. My first year into this position, I didn’t want to show vulnerability – especially where you need to do major changes and set a different course. I needed people to know, “She knows how to get things done.” Fast forward, I’m much more willing to say, “I don’t know the answer to this. Let’s figure it out.” NOT knowing all the answers – has advantages. People want to be part of something bigger – they want their voices to matter. They want to be part of a winning team. We’re all human. How many times have you been in a room where someone’s so polished you think, “Come on, there must be something. You go home and kick your dog.” Be secure enough to be vulnerable. When you put yourself out there, you become a target. But have faith in yourself. Have faith in people that when you put yourself out there, they won’t take advantage of it. Surround yourself with people who can coach you along the way.
- We’ve just talked a lot about building the career and the life you want: Investing in yourself, surrounding yourself with coaches and mentors – and playing BOLD. There’s that saying that with power comes RESPONSIBILIY. Each of you represents prestigious partners …. I want to ask MORE of you. And that more involves paying it back – and forward – to those on your path. I see it as a ripple effect. When you affect someone’s life you have no idea how your impact will ripple out, to their lives and to the lives of those they touch.
- Mentoring is KEY to the ripple effect! I get mentored continually. And I make it a point to mentor others in their careers. My particular passion is mentoring in STEM … there are lots of STEM initiatives being driven around the globe. Million Women Mentors Goal: Mentor a million young girls and women in STEM over the next two years. Get companies excited about signing up to match mentors with mentees. Mentoring girls in STEM connects ALL of me – my personal life (mom of two girls!), my professional life, and my community. This is the bridge where all the lenses come together. Intern programs Countless examples of cases at Cisco and at HP where we saw talent, nurtured talent, and these people have now become successful people in the technology industry. STORY: First professor, pay it forward Once I’d achieved a position at HP, as part of the giveback, I called up my professor who set me on my path. Said, “Give me your strongest person. I want to give them an opportunity you didn’t give me.” In this instance it was a guy, from rural Pennsylvania. He said: “I’m never going to move to Washington, D.C. , and I'm not going into IT.” He was a mini-me, 15 years younger! He did, and loved it … went into IT sales. Fast-forward 15 more years, he’s now a very successful person in the industry. Had lunch recently, said how can I pay you back? I said, “when you’re in a position to hire interns, I expect you to do that and keep paying it back. He’s hired four interns so far.” What are you doing internally? How can you start now, today?
- The theme for today is “Today, Tomorrow, Transformed.” I was asked this question a few years ago: “what is your transformational leadership platform?” That reflection led to much of what I’ve shared with you today. I am feeling very hopeful as I stand here today. Never a better time to be working in technology ….. Never a better time to be a WOMAN working in technology! Truly. YOU are the future. YOU have the opportunity to make a huge impact: To the world around you To you friends, your colleagues, and your community To those you follow and those you lead. Have a wonderful rest of the evening – and a wonderful conference! And please stay in touch with me! I can never know too many amazing women. Now: Go make history! (play on the quote ….)