PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEFF WILSON ; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEREDITH JOHNS |
What is the greatest challenge of hybrid work ? Finding balance while being at home 24 / 7 required a big shift given how much I was traveling before the pandemic . Also maintaining relationships and building new ones are a different skill set when you ’ re not going out to dinner or grabbing a coffee . I think that ’ s the most significant thing — learning how to continue to build relationships with customers , partners , and your team .
Do you have advice on doing that well ? Communication is more important than it ’ s ever been . In a Zoom world or a Teams world , or as I call it “ a virtual world ,” you really have to be intentional about it . “ Hey , before we start this
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meeting , let ’ s just catch up . How are you ?” Being intentional drives engagement on a personal and a professional level .
Do you have other hybridwork tips ? It ’ s so important to keep meetings productive and engaging given the high volume of virtual meetings . Try to be very clear and concise in terms of an agenda . It ’ s even more important now to stay focused and diligent in accomplishing those goals .
Do you have any regular home-office routines ? I take my Dragonfly laptop , which I love , to my treadmill and I will walk during as many calls as I can . Just being able to move and take care of my
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body really improved my whole mental outlook . I also try to get outside as much as possible , especially when the weather is beautiful . It just puts you in a different mindset versus sitting in your home .
Are there objects in your office that have special significance ? Flowers and candles : They change your mindset and reset you . My favorite object is a picture of my kids , to remind me what I ’ m here for , and one of a sunrise , to remind me that tomorrow is a new day and a new start .
What about that paperweight ? My friend Karyn Schoenbart , the CEO of market research company NPD , sent one to several female
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leaders as a powerful symbol of how important it is for women to support and encourage other women . When I got it , I thought it had broken in the mail — it ’ s all cracked . Then I read “ shattered glass ceiling paperweight .” It ’ s a reminder that we are in this together and that we have an incredible opportunity to lead . — Interviewed by John Newton
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