In this episode of the Feminist Exec podcast, Shari Christofferson shares her journey from a geology background to a leadership role in supply chain technology. She discusses the importance of understanding customer needs, navigating company culture, and the challenges women face in tech. Shari emphasizes the significance of building supportive communities, maintaining a proactive approach in business, and the necessity of resilience in the face of setbacks. She also highlights the value of leadership traits such as calmness under pressure and the importance of appreciating team contributions. The conversation concludes with advice for women in tech and the importance of staying true to one's vision.
Takeaways
Shari Christofferson transitioned from geology to tech, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs.
Navigating company culture is often more challenging than the technology itself.
Success is often perceived as overnight, but it requires consistent hard work and resilience.
Leadership involves maintaining calmness under pressure and supporting team members.
Building a supportive community is crucial for overcoming challenges, especially for women in tech.
Proactive strategies in business can lead to better outcomes than reactive ones.
Crisis of confidence is common, and having a support system can help individuals navigate it.
Appreciating team members for their unique contributions fosters a positive work culture.
Women in tech should focus on their strengths and not let gender biases deter them.
Staying true to one's vision and values is key to long-term success.
Sound bites
"The hard part is company culture."
"You have to keep trying to do that."
"You gotta keep going, right?"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Shari Christofferson
02:01 Career Journey and Leadership in Tech
04:05 Navigating Challenges in Business
08:38 Evolving Definition of Success
11:41 Long-Term Vision and Company Culture
16:15 Underrated Leadership Traits
18:09 Creating an Inclusive Team Culture
22:46 Challenges as a Woman in Tech
25:49 Navigating Crises of Confidence
28:03 Supporting Women in Leadership
30:49 Advice for Women in Tech and Operations
32:42 Men as Allies in Male-Dominated Industries
36:18 Staying Grounded Under Pressure
38:51 Lessons from Leadership Journeys
43:23 Owning Your Power and Agency
Keywords
Shari Christofferson, Feminist Exec, leadership, women in tech, supply chain, business challenges, crisis of confidence, team culture, proactive strategies, gender equality,, Women in Leadership, Grit and Growth, Female Founder, Leadership Journey, Inclusive Leadership, Problem Solving, Women in Supply Chain, Personal Growth, Leadership Advice, Confidence at Work, Career Resilience, Female Executives, Tech Leadership, Women in Logistics, Family Business Leadership, Human-Centered Innovation, Digital Transformation, Career Motivation, How women overcome confidence issues, Female leaders in tech and supply chain, Leadership lessons from women in business, Overcoming doubt and owning your power, Grit growth and getting back up, Navigating leadership as a woman in tech, What leadership really looks like for women, Confidence-building for mid-career professionals, Solving real business problems with empathy, Female leadership in male-dominated industries