Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 87
“What stayed with me was the realisation
of how critical the industry is, and yet how
little visibility it has. We rely on it every
single day, but most of us don’t give
it a second thought.”
You’ve worked across different markets
and cultures. How did that international
experience change the way you lead and
work with people?
What was it about digital infrastructure that
made you want to stay once you found it?
At the time, I had very little understanding of what a data centre actually was.
I remember being told that a signi昀椀cant percentage of the UK’s internet traf昀椀c
was routed through a single building, and it genuinely surprised me. It is
something that seems obvious in hindsight, but it was not something I had ever
really considered.
What stayed with me was the realisation of how critical the industry is, and yet
how little visibility it has. We rely on it every single day, but most of us don’t
give it a second thought.
Earlier in my career, I’d worked in a current affairs role, and I always enjoyed
feeling connected to what was happening in the world. Data centres gave
me a similar sense of connection, but from a different angle. You’re not at the
forefront of it, but you’re part of the infrastructure that makes everything
else possible.
It had a signi昀椀cant impact on how I approach both leadership and
collaboration.
When I 昀椀rst moved to Asia, I found certain aspects challenging. There was
a natural tendency to question why things were not done in the way I was
familiar with. Over time, I realised that this perspective was limited.
Through conversations with colleagues who had more experience in the
region, I began to understand that different approaches are shaped by
culture, education and context. That shift in perspective was important.
Instead of focusing on changing ways of working, I became more focused
on understanding them. That required a greater level of empathy and a
willingness to adapt.
It was one of the most demanding learning experiences in my career, but
also one of the most valuable. It fundamentally changed how I communicate,
how I lead, and how I show up across different environments.
It is also an industry that continues to evolve. There is always something new to
learn, and that sense of constant development is what has kept me engaged.
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