30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 35
How have you
overcome challenges
as a woman in the
industry?
nitially, like many women—as well as other individuals who might feel introverts or
less con昀椀dent—I had to build my self-con昀椀dence through thorough preparation and
understanding. Knowing your material inside and out naturally boosts your con昀椀dence
and equips you to back up your points with solid facts.
I
As I gained more experience and recognition, I found I didn’t need to prepare quite as
extensively as before, becoming more ef昀椀cient over time. However, the challenge of
continuous learning and being prepared never stops. I believe stopping to learn is one of
the biggest mistakes we can make. Education and continuous personal development are
the best investments one can make, not necessarily through formal education but through a
proactive approach to learning and development.
Another subtle yet persistent issue is in meetings, where I’ve observed a tendency for
men to direct their questions to other men, even when a woman might be the more
knowledgeable person on the topic. This can be particularly frustrating when technical
questions are redirected to men by default. Managing how this affects you personally is
crucial; it’s about not getting upset but 昀椀nding proactive ways to assert your expertise.
At Google, we are fortunate to have a very inclusive culture where even high-level managers
emphasize inclusivity. There are still moments when attention may inadvertently shift away
from the woman speaking. In these instances, it’s about gently reorienting the conversation
and ensuring that everyone’s contributions are equally valued and recognized. Most of the
time, these oversights are not malicious but rather a result of unconscious bias. Educating
and gently correcting these behaviors can lead to more inclusive and effective interactions.
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