Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition exemplifies an intuitive, adaptable managerial style that brings out the best in her teams.
A multi-faceted leader, Melisa Rojas brings ongoing curiosity and openness to her role as Global Head of Practices & Markets at Simmons & Simmons.
Armed with both law and master’s degrees, this native Peruvian launched a London-based career that quickly uncovered her natural gifts for marketing and business development.
As for the inevitable professional challenges Melisa has faced along the way? She shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana a personal strategy that includes being bold, positive – and stowing any twinges of Impostor Syndrome in an imaginary drawer.
This self-professed “glass half full” executive brings out the best in her global team by staying attuned to diverse cultures and communicating effectively across multiple time zones while keeping remote workers connected to one another.
It’s a formula that embraces Melisa’s native ability to form strong relationships as well as a deliberate commitment to mentorship for ongoing career development.
Learn how Melisa developed her unique leadership style and why she believes that fostering human relations – including empathy and openness – is key to building healthy corporate cultures. This episode also offers insights into time management, the importance of networking and what it means to be brave. “It’s good to get outside your comfort zone and give things a try,” says our guest. “It may work or may not. But you need to find out.”
If you enjoyed this discussion, please click here to find previous episodes of Leaders with Ambition.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Melissa Rojas
01:30 Melissa's Journey from Peru to London
04:42 Transitioning from Law to Marketing and BD
10:49 Embracing Multiculturalism in Career
15:58 Taking on New Challenges at Simmons
20:36 Adapting Leadership in a Global Context
25:30 Continuous Growth in Leadership
26:29 The Essence of Leadership
29:06 Navigating Imposter Syndrome
31:31 The Importance of Mentorship
34:16 Networking: Building Connections
37:36 The Role of Family Influence
40:15 Embracing AI in the Workplace
43:55 Words of Wisdom for Career Growth