30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 75
How do you view the
current landscape of
mentorship for women
in tech?
try to be the mentor I wish I had during my early career. My mentoring style mirrors the honesty
and directness I appreciated from my mentors. They didn’t stick to a sanitized corporate narrative
but addressed real challenges like unconscious bias head-on, providing practical advice on how to
navigate such issues effectively.
I
With my mentees, I pass this on by being direct about common pitfalls. When I see mentees
diminishing their own authority with their speech or apologizing unnecessarily. I point these out
because they are issues I’ve confronted in my own career. My current boss is excellent at helping me
re昀椀ne this aspect of professional communication, emphasizing the need to assert oneself without
pre-quali昀椀cations that undermine one’s expertise.
I also mentor a diverse group, from young professionals without children to working mothers. I discuss
the harsh realities of balancing leadership aspirations with personal life, especially how challenging
this can be without compromising on either front. While I hope for and work towards a corporate
environment that better supports work-life balance, I’m candid about the current landscape and the
intensive demands of executive roles.
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