Women who break into the tech industry will tell you it’s not an easy path. For years, men have dominated this industry. Women are underrepresented, treated differently and often have an uphill battle to be seen as equals within a tech workplace.
However, did you know that some of the most powerful people in the industry currently happen to be women? It’s true. “The CEO of YouTube is a woman, Susan Wojcicki, head of one the most influential tech companies today” states Evelyn Kellam, a writer at 1day2write.com and Writemyx.com.
Here are some great pearls of wisdom for effective team management from some of the top women in this field.
- Erin Teague, Director of Product Management at Yahoo: Use your own uniqueness as your superpower.
Ms. Teague, as the only black woman in her program and graduating class at University of Michigan can tell you, she has faced many challenges. Her unique experiences don’t have to be a disadvantage, but rather she uses them to her advantage. As the only black woman on a team of all white men, she explains, that her voice brings a unique perspective and it’s been really important for her and other women in the field to embrace that. You want to lead a team, then play to your strengths always.
- Kate Duggan, Regional Accounts Director, Redgate Software: Face challenges head on
Being a tech team manager sometimes means making tough decisions. “Effective managers know what decisions need making, even if they are very difficult, and can help navigate their team through those decisions” says Todd Huss, a tech blogger at Britstudent.com and Nextcoursework.com.
Kate Duggan advises that making the tough management call is always the right way forward because you cause more harm by avoiding it.
- Lori Williams, Chief Delivery Officer, ScaleFactor: Three words: Go for it
Lori Williams advice to all women in the tech industry: Just go for it. If you want that big tech promotion at your company, apply for it. If you want to change up what you are doing within your current role, do it. Never let people around you dictate the path for you. Make sure you are always learning and cultivate your professional and personal growth. Just go for it.
- Missy Young, Executive Vice President, Switch: Speak up loudly when there is
Inequality
When 12 year-old Missy Young found out her mom, then a vice president at a bank was making a staggering $50,000 less then her male colleagues, she was outraged. Her advice to you: When you see an injustice or inequality, call it out and call it out loudly, especially in a team management position. You act as the voice of your team members, so lead by example and be an advocate.
- Nicole Smith, Restaurant365, Failure is a part of growth
Smith’s philosophy is probably something you have run into in the workplace recently but it’s worth repeating again. You learn more from failing than you do from success, so allowing your team to fail fast and often and coaching them through the failure so they learn and grow will make your team a stronger team.
- Susan Wojcicki, CEO, YouTube: Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity.
In her famous commencement speech at Johns Hopkins University, Wojcicki stated that “…Opportunities come when you least expect them, or when you’re not ready for them..” If you are waiting for the perfect time, you will be waiting a long time. When the chance comes to become a tech team manager or to take your team in a new direction, don’t wait take the risk.
- Jamie Tomasello, Head of Trust and Compliance, On intentionality and intersectionality
The Head of Trust and Compliance, Jamie Tomasello’s biggest piece of advice though is to use whatever privilege you have to amplify the voices of the underrepresented on your team in your workplace. A representative team will better represent your users and markets you serve.
- Privahini Bradoo, CEO of Blue Oak: On being number one
Bradoo says her mother always told her that you are the best at whatever you do. She advises that when running a team, you need to focus on being the best that you can be and you will inspire your team members around you to do the same.
- Jen Eanes, Director of Internal Operations, Pingboard: Embrace the Suck
Don’t shy away from tackling hard or uncomfortable issues. You grow the most from tackling uncomfortable, awkward, and challenging workplace situations. Teach your team to learn how to embrace the hard and uncomfortable too.
These 9 powerful women in the tech industry all have great advice on improving your tech team management skills and helping your team.
