Sometimes people show up in your life to leave enduring lessons and provide a leadership example you never forget. Sue Swenson, President and CEO, Sage Software -- North America. Sue has been blazing new trails and leading exponential growth in the telecommunications industry for over fifteen years. Wherever she goes there is some entrepreneurial adventure underway.
In my new book, there are a couple of great stories from Sue Swenson about how she works to put differences to work in her organizations. However, one of my very favorite stories from Sue Swenson is one she told me about in an earlier interview. Here is the first-person story written from our conversation (published in my Diversity Breakthrough! Series ( Berrett-Koehler 2000):
B WHO U R
Story told by...
Sue Swenson
President and CEO, Sage Software -- North America
"Early in my leadership career, I worked for a man who told me to cut my hair and change my name—and that I would never be successful unless I had this certain appearance. This went against my grain. His message was that I was being judged on my external appearance—not on what I brought to the organization or my leadership ability. At that moment, I certainly wondered if I was going to be a fit in that company. Fortunately, soon after, in came the new boss, who shared common values with me. Problem solved. However, the lesson I learned from it stayed with me. I once saw a license plate that said it all: B WHO U R. If you try to be somebody, or something, other than what you are, you are always having to think about it—and put energy into it, instead of directing your energy toward the constructive purpose calling for your full attention. When you are not distracted, you can be much more effective.
It has been important to me to bring my belief about being who you are into the business and I have done this, first, by living it out in my day-to-day work. People see I am who I am—no pretense. People may find it unnerving at first. Some think it’s a put on, so I’ve been told. Over time, I have learned people need to see sustained behavior to understand you are real.
I think these experiences have also had an influence on me selecting people to work with who share the same values. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed working with direct reports who have very diverse management styles, approaches to dealing with problem-solving and people—and very different ways of interacting with one another. None of them looked for a mirror image of themselves in others. We all shared the belief, your idea combined with my idea is really the best idea—a concept that is sometimes hard for people when they reach senior levels of leadership. It is a harder environment to work in, because you are involved in so much more. I have found that inclusion means ensuring that everybody’s thinking, opinions and ideas are brought into the process. There is a power and strength in ideas coming together. The outcome is always better."
What's your experience in being who you are?
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
Author and founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead
My New Book! Putting Our Differences to Work (June 2008)
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
Learn more: www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Join me for monthly online dialogues --- Next DATE August 12
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