How Identity Has Influenced A Group Manager, Product Marketing's Career At Cisco
Stephanie's experience as a woman of color has shown the challenges of being in a minority, where one's ideas may be overlooked, and the societal pressure to be submissive. To reach leadership, however, Stephanie learned the importance of flipping that script, finding "your voice, your confidence," and accepting that "it's okay if not everybody likes you," prioritizing effective teamwork over universal likability.
Leadership, Women in Tech, Overcoming Challenges, Confidence Building, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stephanie Sosa
Group Manager, Product Marketing
Cisco
UCLA
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Technology
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Stephanie's career journey highlights the challenges faced by women of color in leadership roles, where they may be overlooked or expected to be submissive.
2. She emphasizes the importance of shifting from a people-pleasing approach to confident self-advocacy and assertiveness to achieve leadership positions.
3. Stephanie highlights the significance of finding one's voice and not seeking universal approval, but rather focusing on effective collaboration, even amidst challenges and pushback.
Transcript
As a woman of color, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
This experience has taught me two things. First, it's really difficult to be a woman, and especially a woman of color, because you are in the minority.
Often, you aren't seen as someone who might have a good idea or as someone who is very vocal. For many women and women of color, we're taught from a young age to be submissive, to say yes to everything as we navigate our careers.
The second thing I've learned is that while being an individual contributor might be okay, if you want to get into a leadership position managing a team, you almost have to shift that thinking. Being a people-pleaser in a workplace won't get you very far.
The great leaders I've followed and admired who are women and women of color have been confident. You have good ideas, and you are allowed to say no. "No" is a complete sentence and a complete thought, and that's okay. It's also okay if not everyone likes you.
You don't need to be a universally likable person; you need to be able to work with them. However, I think women tend to default to wanting to be liked, to seem kind and nice.
As you move into leadership, it's really about finding your voice, finding your confidence, and being okay with people pushing back or challenging you. If that happens, it means you are doing something right.