CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 11
" When you approach people with logic, data, facts, and examples, the
focus is on the work and not on gender differences. "
sat down with the leader and said, "Look, obviously
people say or do, including criticism of you. Instead,
you feel that I've been a little too assertive in how I'm
focus on the contributions you can make and the great
approaching things. Yet in a very similar situation, you
ideas that can drive your and your company's goals
had a similarly strong reaction. What's the difference?"
forward. Focus on building great high-performing teams
When you approach people with logic, data, facts, and
that deliver success. I talked about getting out of your
examples, the focus is on the work and not on gender
own way and not overthinking criticisms or bumps in
differences. Most people don't argue with well-thought-
the road. But also don't let others stand in the way of
out logic.
your pursuit of great things.
Men and women are wired differently; that helps
Don't define yourself primarily as a female
make diverse teams successful. When somebody tells
executive. Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors,
us to be less assertive or Type A, we need to avoid the
says that when she walks into a room, her first thought
temptation to go home, overthink and analyze it, and
isn't how many women are there and if she's the only
then try to change our behavior. I tell women that
one. She thinks about the purpose of the meeting, about
in these situations, "You need to get out of your own
the problem they're trying to solve or the solution they're
way - nobody can control you but you. Focus on great
trying to create.
ideas and great work, the opportunities to contribute,
That epitomizes how I feel. Have I sometimes felt
and the opportunities to learn." This will work in your
as if I were treated differently because I'm a woman?
favor. And, if it doesn't, move on. Some companies value
Absolutely, but I don't go in to situations with that
diversity, and other companies talk about diversity -
at the top of my mind. What's at the top of my mind
make sure you're in the right company. Being assertive
is, for example, that I'm only a few months into the
and having the courage to stand up for what you believe
biotechnology business, a completely new industry for
should be appreciated in men and women alike. It works
me. How do I understand molecular biology? How do I
both ways.
apply technology to the drug discovery process and to
Career Advice for Women
helping our patients? How do we use wearables to help
our patients improve their quality of life? Those are the
things I'm thinking about and I expect my team to be
What else have I learned in my 30 years as a technologist
thinking about as we look to develop a high-performing
and executive?
diverse team.
Focus on what's important. Eleanor Roosevelt
Learn everything you possibly can. Learn
said: "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss
everything you can about technology. Learn everything
events; small minds discuss people." Don't focus on what
you can about your field. I'm taking a biotechnology
CIO Straight Talk | 11
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6
Contents
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Cover1
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Contents
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 3
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 4
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 5
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 6
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 7
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 8
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 9
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 10
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 11
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 12
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 13
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 14
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 15
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 16
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 17
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 18
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 19
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 20
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 21
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 22
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 23
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 24
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 25
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 26
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 27
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 28
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 29
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 30
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 31
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 32
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 33
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 34
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 35
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 36
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 37
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 38
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 39
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 40
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 41
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 42
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 43
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 44
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 45
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 46
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 47
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 48
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 49
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 50
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 51
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 52
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 53
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 54
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 55
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 56
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 57
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 58
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 59
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 60
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 61
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 62
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 63
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 64
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 65
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 66
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - InsertA
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 67
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - InsertB
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 68
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 69
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 70
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 71
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 72
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 73
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - 74
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Cover3
CIO Straight Talk - Issue 6 - Cover4
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/hi_tech
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue12
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/assetheavy2020
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/lifesciencesandhealthcare2019
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/womenintech2
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/financialservices2019/
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue11
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue10
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue9
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/womeninit
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/financialservices
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue8
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue7
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue6
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue5
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue4
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue3
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue2
https://magazine.straighttalkonline.com/issue1
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