12. Teja Kilshaw focusing on the tranistion to sales management and gender issues

Summary

In this conversation, Teja Kilshaw shares her journey into sales management, emphasizing the importance of relationships, balancing professionalism with friendliness, and navigating team dynamics. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to a management role, the significance of networking within the organization, and the need to build trust and respect with her team. 

Teja shares her insights on management, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and the unique challenges faced by women in the IT industry. She emphasizes the importance of listening to team needs, balancing emotional investment with business decisions, and the value of mentorship in personal development. She also discusses the gender dynamics in the workplace and offers practical advice for new sales managers, highlighting the significance of self-belief and confidence in leadership roles. In this conversation, Teja also shares her insights on navigating the challenges of management, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, understanding team dynamics, and fostering a supportive environment. She discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome, the significance of personal check-ins, and the need for empathy in performance management. 

Key Takeaways

• Building relationships is crucial in management, both with team members and clients.
• Transitioning to management can be challenging, especially in maintaining authority and respect.
• It's important to balance being friendly with maintaining professionalism as a manager.
• Networking with peers across the organization is essential for success in management.
• The need for managers to adapt their style to individual team members.
• Creating a supportive environment helps team members feel comfortable sharing challenges.
• Include two different types of one-on-one meetings to understand team dynamics better.
• Respect as a manager is earned through actions and relationships, not just title.
• Involving the team in decision-making processes fosters collaboration.  Listening to team feedback is crucial for effective management.
• Emotional intelligence can be a strength in leadership.
• Letting team members go is a challenging but necessary part of management.
• Mentorship and coaching play a vital role in personal and professional development.
• Gender dynamics still impact perceptions in the workplace.
• Confidence and self-belief are essential for new managers.
• It's okay to seek help and acknowledge areas for improvement.
• Women in tech face unique challenges but can empower themselves through knowledge.  Everyone experiences moments of self-doubt.
• Creating a safe space encourages open communication.
• Regular personal check-ins improve team morale.
• Learning from mistakes is essential for growth.
• Cultural differences must be acknowledged in management.
• Supporting team members' growth is a manager's responsibility.

Sound Bites

"I absolutely love it."

"You want to care passionately."

“a thin line between arrogance and confidence”

"I think my emotional and caring side is probably a strength."

"Imposter Syndrome; what am I doing here?”

"Have confidence in yourself."

"Get to know your team."