Embracing Your Own Power:

A discussion about leadership, self-

confidence & women

Susan MernitWomen Who TechOctober 14, 2008

What are we going to talk about?

•What is the mindset it takes to be a leader? •How do emotional intelligence & conviction for into your professional life?•What does it mean to embrace your own power?

There are no answers, only observations & sharing...

This is a talk about experiences &

observations…from someone who didn’t start out in corporate life...but

did pretty well there.

My story--Susan Mernit

Current: CEO & Co-founder, People’s Software, 2008 TechStars company; Program manager/consultant, Knight News Challenge, Knight Foundation

Formerly, Senior Director/Head of Product, Yahoo! Personals, VP, AOL & Netscape

In the ‘90s, my career took a fork in the road….

Started as a poet and worked for non profits

Became a writer/editor1992: Writer & Editor, Scholastic, Inc.1993-Dove into the Net1998: Director/GM, Parade.com

Began running web businesses2000: VP, Netscape.com2002: VP, America Online

Transitions

Ended up at Yahoo! after running my own consulting business…

So how did I go from poet to business person to VP?

And what does that have to do with this talk?

Susan’s theories about her success

•Risk tolerant-- no MBA meant no brain-washing•Learn from others, including mentors•Super hard working. Tackle tough stuff w/great follow through•Natural leader with strong problem solving skills•Pragmatic, results-oriented, confident

Moving from personal stories to general

observationsHow do you get noticed and get the chances to move ahead?

What is the balance between team-building and building your brand?

What’s the degree of risk that feels right?

How does the work part and the inner life part fit together?

What are the traits that can help breed success?

How about these?

• 4 qualities that make you more powerful– Confidence – Risk tolerance– Directness– Know when you need help—but don’t take it if

you don’t

"Nine guys, all used to being in charge. I'm absolutely conscious about speaking up

more frequently and interrupting people - even though we were taught not to

interrupt. Damn it, I'll repeat myself! I'll say it louder! I'll lean forward in my chair.”

--Thereseia Gouw Ranzetta, Accel Partners

“It’s a can-do spirit with a must-do responsibility that together generate great results.”

--PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi

“Nothing is created without something being destroyed.”

-ADM chairman and CEO Pat Woertz

Questions

If you “know” it, how do you do it?

Does being powerful make you:unlikeable?a bitch?less feminine?

Are we talking about work, or your whole life?

• How about those voices in your head?• And those trolls?• How about failure?

• How about success?

What holds women back

• Asking for permission• Waiting to be invited• Perfectionism, aka competition turned

inward• Putting yourself last• Fear (of course)• ‘Difficultly balancing/juggling

What practice can help you change

Everything but juggling, that just sucks…

Things to think about

• What would you lose if you went for it this one time?

• What would you gain?• Is there an opportunity cost?• What if you waited to do X—how much

does timing matter?• To do X well, how do you clear time?• Who can help you?

More questions

• Who’s your kitchen cabinet?• Is someone watching your back?• Are your expectations realistic?• And can you work the learning curve?

Powerful women are pragmatic women—who grow incrementally and take risks.

Okay, let’s have a discussion—what do you think tapping into your own strength means? When have you felt it?

People (friends) who inspire me

• Lisa Stone, co-founder, BlogHer• Lisa Williams, co-founder, Peoples Software• Viviane Tang, Viviane’s Sex Carnival• BJ Pheiffer, Napa chef• Christine Herron, First Round Capital• Mary Hodder, founder, Dabble

– And lots more…..

So how is your power tied to your network?

How do you grow your network?

• Community • The web: twitter, blogs, etc.• At the office• Through your work life• Conferences and meet ups

And what do you do with it when you get it?

(Insert discussion here)

Thanks.. closing remarks, questions

Interesting lists (corporate)

Fortune Powerful Women Summit, October 2008http://www.timeinc.net/fortune/conferences/women08/women_home.html

CNN Money: 50 Most Powerful women list 2007http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0709/gallery.women_mostpowerful.fortune/

Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women 2008http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/27/most-powerful-women-biz-powerwomen08-cz_me_cs_0827women_land.html

The New Valley Girlshttp://money.cnn.com/2008/09/25/news/newsmakers/sellers_valleygirls.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008100614