How Identity Has Influenced a Head Consultant at Prima Consulting's Career
Early in their career, the CEO overcompensated, "trying to meet other people's expectations" by suppressing their authentic self to fit into a male-dominated environment; this ultimately delayed their personal and professional fulfillment until later in their career. The CEO advises younger professionals to embrace their authentic selves and values, emphasizing that "faking it till you make it doesn't actually get you to make it happily."
Authenticity, Leadership, Gender in the Workplace, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Finding Fulfillment
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shanna Weber
CEO/Founder/Head Consultant
Prima Consulting
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey MBA
Business Management & Admin, Finance
Coaching, Speaking & Writing, Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Overcompensating to meet others' expectations: Shanna initially tried to fit into a male-dominated corporate environment by suppressing her personality, being rigid, and appearing cold. She later realized that this approach hindered her authenticity and fulfillment.
2. Importance of authenticity: Shanna emphasizes the importance of being genuine and true to oneself in the workplace. She regrets overcompensating and wishes she had embraced her authentic self earlier in her career.
3. Finding fulfillment later in life: Shanna's journey highlights that career satisfaction and fulfillment can be achieved later in life. It is possible to make significant career changes and find greater purpose once you better understand and accept yourself
Transcript
As someone who identifies as female in the corporate world, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
I've learned from my mistakes of trying to meet other people's expectations. I was overcompensating for what I thought I was lacking.
When I progressed my career, I was about 25 and managing teams of men 20 years older than me. I felt I had to prove I was smart enough to be their leader.
So, I overcompensated by not being approachable or authentic. I showed up how I thought I was supposed to, being rigid and kind of cold. I believed I needed to fit into that dynamic to mix with the men I was working with.
I didn't want to be seen as a female, a sexual object, or a young woman. These were things that came with being a 25-year-old blonde woman in finance. This impacted how long it took me to feel comfortable in my own skin.
It took me a while to stop caring what other people thought so I could actually make an impact. Instead, I was trying to fall in line with what I thought everyone wanted from me.
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would tell her that we all bring something amazing to the table. Faking it until you make it doesn't lead to a happy success.
If you can be your authentic self and be more genuine to who you are, following what's important to you and your values, your career might take a different turn. You might be more satisfied and fulfilled earlier in your career, rather than deciding to do what you want at 44.
I think we all need to be confident in what we bring and be proud of who we are.