30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 59
What skills are essential for success
in the data centre industry?
I
believe success in any part of the tech industry
requires perseverance and tenacity. Perseverance to
know when to push forward and when to step back.
Tenacity can be a bit more tricky as a woman because it
can be easily misinterpreted, but it is absolutely critical.
I also think women also bring a heightened sensitivity to
nonverbal cues, which can guide strategic decisions and
interactions, as verbal acknowledgment can often come
too late.
Soft skills are vital for leadership—building cohesive
teams, making informed decisions, and understanding
the broader business problems to 昀椀nd solutions. Women
excel in balancing these skills with a more inclusive and
intuitive approach to decision-making, often considering
broader factors beyond rigid metrics. I’ve also found that
humor and resilience are also key.
The ability to laugh amidst challenges helps navigate
an industry that can sometimes feel rigid. While technical
skills are essential, success often hinges on the ability
to bridge the gap between technical expertise and
business needs—something women are uniquely adept
at through our combination of analytical and empathetic
problem-solving approaches.
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How important is mentorship
for women in tech?
entorship has been instrumental in my career
and continues to shape my career journey
today. For instance, at my current company,
one of the 昀椀rst things I did was approach the CIO for
North America to be my executive sponsor and mentor.
I also actively seek guidance from other executives to
help me navigate challenges and address barriers that I
may face.
M
I’m also a mentor myself, supporting both men and
women. Currently, I’m mentoring three Millenial and
Gen Z individuals. Mentoring them has been a learning
experience for me as a Baby Boomer, challenging
me to adapt my approach to be more effective in
understanding their perspectives and priorities so I can
provide the best guidance possible.
Sometimes, mentorship goes beyond the workplace;
I still reach out to former mentors for advice. I might
call a past mentor and ask for his or her perspective on
reframing my thoughts for a particular situation that I’m
grappling with.
Mentorship is a dynamic and essential part of personal
and professional development in the tech industry and I
highly encourage anyone at any stage of their career to
embrace it.
