Navigating the Labyrinth: Strategies for Women Aspiring Executive Tech Roles
In a tech industry where women continue to navigate the challenges of rising to executive roles, insights from those who’ve carved a path are invaluable. Lakshmi Baskaran, a seasoned VP of Engineering, investor, and advocate for women in tech, reveals what it takes for women to prepare for and flourish in leadership positions. In a compelling interview with Limor Bergman Gross on the podcast “From a Woman to a Leader,” Baskaran shares her experiences and advice that resonate with anyone aiming for the C-suite.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace diverse opportunities early in your career to understand where your strengths and passions lie, and what type of role suits you best.
- Acquire knowledge about the business and commercial sides of the industry, not just your technical specialty, to prepare for executive roles.
- Build a network and personal brand through active community involvement, mentorship, and reciprocal learning.
Overcoming Career Isolation Through Networking
One of the significant challenges that Baskaran touched upon is the loneliness that often comes with being at the top of the career ladder, especially for women in tech. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong, supportive network to combat the sense of isolation.
“As an engineering leader, one of the biggest challenges I encountered, like most leaders, is the sense of isolation when you’re at the top of your career ladder.”
Baskaran advises reaching out proactively to male and female tech influencers for mentorship and points out that despite difficulties, there are always allies willing to offer guidance. She herself has benefitted greatly from an expansive network of allies who now form her “personal boardroom” of advisors.
Finding the Right Blend of Technical Expertise and Business Acumen
Baskaran highlights the intersection of technical skills and business knowledge as crucial for women aiming for C-suite roles. Leaders must understand, she says, not just the technical aspects of their department, but also the broader business context in which they operate.
“A little bit about me growing up… I was very particular about learning not just technology, but business and leading people.”
She suggests that women should seek to master this blend early on, during the mid-leadership levels, to be well-prepared for executive expectations. By being commercially savvy, leaders are better able to contribute to business growth strategies and communicate effectively across all levels of the company.
Embracing Mentorship and Two-Way Learning
Substantiating the importance of mentorship, Baskaran discusses how effective mentoring relationships are often reciprocal. They should not only be about receiving wisdom but also about exchanging ideas and experiences.
“A good, strong, long lasting relationships are where it is a two-way street, where it is a conversation, where it is a learning from both sides.”
She encourages current and aspiring leaders to seek mentors and also to give back by mentoring others. Baskaran believes that participating in mentoring is one of the best ways to gain diverse perspectives and accelerate personal development.
Mentorship and community involvement also help in personal branding, making it easier for female professionals to be recognized and found by potential employers.
Driving Forward With Purpose and Contextual Awareness
As we consider the pearls of wisdom distilled from Baskaran’s experience, the significance of her advice becomes more apparent. While women in tech embark on their leadership journeys, they do so with a blueprint built on the foundation of diverse experiences, expansive business knowledge, and a robust support network.
Each mention of contextual awareness, the openness to learning, and the gravity of reciprocal mentorship is not mere advice but a strategic approach for those aspiring to higher echelons in the technology domain. By adhering to Baskaran’s shared principles, women in tech are not only preparing for executive roles but also shaping a more diverse and inclusive future for the industry.
By fostering a synergy among technical prowess, business sensibility, and community interconnectedness, women are poised to transform challenges into stepping stones towards leadership excellence. This narrative, as outlined by Baskaran, serves as a compass guiding towards meaningful career progress and substantial contributions to the tech industry at large.
About Lakshmi
Lakshmi Baskaran is an accomplished business leader, entrepreneur, and an angel investor with over two decades of experience in the tech industry. She has built and managed high-performing engineering teams for startups, scale-ups, and publicly listed companies across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
She is currently serving as the VP of Engineering at Metadata, a SaaS company that offers a Marketing Operating System to prominent brands and businesses worldwide.
Lakshmi is passionate about coaching and mentoring business leaders and empowering women to pursue careers in technology. With the right support, she firmly believes that any woman can unleash her potential and make a significant impact on the world, rising to the heights of a great leader, entrepreneur, and a board member.
Lakshmi shares her insights on leadership and technology through her writing on Medium and Thrive.
Follow Lakshmi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmibaskaran/