{"id":56605,"date":"2023-08-24T11:57:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T18:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/?p=56605"},"modified":"2023-08-24T11:57:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T18:57:29","slug":"from-aspiration-to-actuation-top-women-leaders-offer-advice-on-reaching-executive-pinnacle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/feature-articles\/2023\/08\/from-aspiration-to-actuation-top-women-leaders-offer-advice-on-reaching-executive-pinnacle\/","title":{"rendered":"From Aspiration to Actuation: Top Women Leaders Offer Advice on Reaching Executive Pinnacle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Life is like a furniture kit from IKEA without instructions. There are a multitude of pieces, some of which seem to naturally go together, and others can take us in such divergent directions that they don\u2019t remotely resemble the picture on the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assembling a career is another matter entirely. There are no ideal models nor accepted standards for what success looks like or entails, so in that regard, life may be more akin to a box of Legos\u2014it\u2019s what we make of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our August State of the Industry report on women in leadership was comprised of six brilliant and highly successful office dealer executives who shared their success stories, challenges and solutions, and how they connected their pieces to construct fulfilling and prosperous careers. In this final installment, these executives share their advice on how women can best approach their own professional initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Stephanie Keating Phillips, AIS<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stephanie Keating Phillips, director of solutions and production print for Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS) of Minnetonka, Minnesota, follows fundamental edicts: work hard, be kind and humble. She finds those simplistic guiding points are the basis for success in business, regardless of gender. As individuals continue their ascension in the business world, the ability to remain humble can also serve as a reminder to respect your own journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs you win more deals and build on your success, don\u2019t forget about where you came from,\u201d she said. \u201cRemember those days when you were eating mac and cheese or Ramen when it was feast or famine, and maybe you weren\u2019t closing deals. If we focus on the fact that we got where we are because we showed heart, worked hard and were kind along the way, it can lead to an \u00fcber-successful life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Pamela Feld, Triumph Technology Group<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Exceeding expectations is only the first step in a journey that each woman needs to define, according to Pamela Feld, CEO of Triumph Technology Group in Tustin, California. As a woman in the technology field, Feld was accustomed to people underestimating her, and proving them wrong provides a measure of satisfaction, but the larger picture is setting the stage for that journey, that quest to outline a path that will yield satisfaction and results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At times, that can entail switching blueprints when a work atmosphere reveals a toxic aspect to it. Lingering in such an environment\u2014aside from the obvious drawbacks\u2014only serves to delay the desired outcome. Finding a supportive scenario, even if it means starting one\u2019s own business, can pay dividends and provide a healthier outlook on business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Establishing and growing one\u2019s network is also paramount to forging the desired career path and avoiding the tendency to \u201cget into your own bubble,\u201d which limits options. \u201cYou need to be persistent in finding where the best place is for you,\u201d Feld said. \u201cIf you\u2019re not happy, move on. Remove those people from your life who don\u2019t make you happy. The pandemic taught us that life\u2019s too short and you don\u2019t want to be unhappy. Maybe you\u2019ll discover you don\u2019t want to be an executive, and that you\u2019d be happier in another role. Find your place and stick with what makes you happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Lauren Hanna, Blue Technologies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the eyes of Lauren Hanna, vice president of sales for Blue Technologies of Cleveland, those with the highest professional aspirations need to boast a thirst for knowledge and boundless ambition. The drive to succeed must be motivated beyond financial reward, she says, but driven by curiosity to garner the information and insight necessary to grow within the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you constantly want to not only learn but improve yourself and become wiser, you\u2019ll naturally be exposed to more opportunities,\u201d Hanna related. \u201cKnow where your strengths are. Multitasking, attention to detail, communication skills\u2026always seek to enhance your capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPut on blinders and leave the drama out of it, because it\u2019s easy to get sidetracked in this industry. Have goals, reevaluate them, build your network of influencers and keep your eyes on the prize, which is excelling in this industry. There\u2019s no limit for women or men who are hungry for knowledge.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Heard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Christie Wakefield, POA<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot to be said for confidence, and garnering the courage to let oneself be heard. Christie Wakefield, director of marketing\/technology for Pacific Office Automation in Beaverton, Oregon, believes one of the worst feelings one can experience from a business standpoint is to walk away from a meeting knowing you\u2019ve missed an opportunity simply because you were afraid to voice an opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve earned that seat at the table with hard work, experience and competence, so have enough pride to confidently contribute to those meetings and executive-level conversations,\u201d Wakefield noted. \u201cNo one will know what you\u2019re capable of unless you use your voice and speak up with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Susie Woodhull, Woodhull LLC<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While the industry is decided male-oriented, Susie Woodhull, CEO of Springboro, Ohio-based Woodhull LLC, believes it offers a great opportunity to for those who seek to occupy the corner office. She sees the office technology sector as being welcoming, inclusive and cutting-edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCertainly, men don\u2019t have anything over women in terms of technology,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it\u2019s a really good time for women because technology is blind in terms of someone\u2019s capabilities.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dawn Abbuhl, RBS<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, finding a mentor whom you admire and respect and who is willing to work with you along the course of your development can help pave the path toward enriching leadership skills. Dawn Abbuhl, president of Repeat Business Systems in Albany, New York, provides mentoring for both men and women but finds more women gravitate toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leadership skills are learned; they don\u2019t come naturally, she notes. Abbuhl believes the best method for women to become optimal leaders is to be one\u2019s authentic self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have to be really authentic because then people will trust you and they\u2019ll know what they\u2019re getting,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not to say that you shouldn\u2019t be more assertive, but if you\u2019re not an assertive person, you can\u2019t make yourself assertive. Form serious relationships with your team, because they make the world go around. That\u2019s why RBS sells so much, and why we have little turnover in our team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy goal is to make every leader here 10 times better than I ever could be. If I can achieve that, it would be my best accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Life is like a furniture kit from IKEA without instructions. There are a multitude of pieces, some of which seem to naturally go together, and others can take us in such divergent directions that they don\u2019t remotely resemble the picture on the box. Assembling a career is another matter entirely. There are no ideal models nor accepted standards for what success looks like or entails, so in that regard, life may be more akin to a box of Legos\u2014it\u2019s what we make of it. Our August State of the Industry report on women in leadership was comprised of six brilliant and highly successful office dealer executives who shared their success stories, challenges and solutions, and how they connected their pieces to construct fulfilling and prosperous careers. In this final installment, these executives share their advice on how women can best approach their own professional initiatives. Stephanie Keating Phillips, director of solutions and production print for Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS) of Minnetonka, Minnesota, follows fundamental edicts: work hard, be kind and humble. She finds those simplistic guiding points are the basis for success in business, regardless of gender. As individuals continue their ascension in the business world, the ability to remain humble can also serve as a reminder to respect your own journey. \u201cAs you win more deals and build on your success, don\u2019t forget about where you came from,\u201d she said. \u201cRemember those days when you were eating mac and cheese or Ramen when it was feast or famine, and maybe you weren\u2019t closing deals. If we focus on the fact that we got where we are because we showed heart, worked hard and were kind along the way, it can lead to an \u00fcber-successful life.\u201d Right Environment Exceeding expectations is only the first step in a journey that each woman needs to define, according to Pamela Feld, CEO of Triumph Technology Group in Tustin, California. As a woman in the technology field, Feld was accustomed to people underestimating her, and proving them wrong provides a measure of satisfaction, but the larger picture is setting the stage for that journey, that quest to outline a path that will yield satisfaction and results. At times, that can entail switching blueprints when a work atmosphere reveals a toxic aspect to it. Lingering in such an environment\u2014aside from the obvious drawbacks\u2014only serves to delay the desired outcome. Finding a supportive scenario, even if it means starting one\u2019s own business, can pay dividends and provide a healthier outlook on business. Establishing and growing one\u2019s network is also paramount to forging the desired career path and avoiding the tendency to \u201cget into your own bubble,\u201d which limits options. \u201cYou need to be persistent in finding where the best place is for you,\u201d Feld said. \u201cIf you\u2019re not happy, move on. Remove those people from your life who don\u2019t make you happy. The pandemic taught us that life\u2019s too short and you don\u2019t want to be unhappy. Maybe you\u2019ll discover you don\u2019t want to be an executive, and that you\u2019d be happier in another role. Find your place and stick with what makes you happy.\u201d In the eyes of Lauren Hanna, vice president of sales for Blue Technologies of Cleveland, those with the highest professional aspirations need to boast a thirst for knowledge and boundless ambition. The drive to succeed must be motivated beyond financial reward, she says, but driven by curiosity to garner the information and insight necessary to grow within the industry. \u201cIf you constantly want to not only learn but improve yourself and become wiser, you\u2019ll naturally be exposed to more opportunities,\u201d Hanna related. \u201cKnow where your strengths are. Multitasking, attention to detail, communication skills\u2026always seek to enhance your capabilities. \u201cPut on blinders and leave the drama out of it, because it\u2019s easy to get sidetracked in this industry. Have goals, reevaluate them, build your network of influencers and keep your eyes on the prize, which is excelling in this industry. There\u2019s no limit for women or men who are hungry for knowledge.\u201d  Be Heard There\u2019s a lot to be said for confidence, and garnering the courage to let oneself be heard. Christie Wakefield, director of marketing\/technology for Pacific Office Automation in Beaverton, Oregon, believes one of the worst feelings one can experience from a business standpoint is to walk away from a meeting knowing you\u2019ve missed an opportunity simply because you were afraid to voice an opinion. \u201cYou\u2019ve earned that seat at the table with hard work, experience and competence, so have enough pride to confidently contribute to those meetings and executive-level conversations,\u201d Wakefield noted. \u201cNo one will know what you\u2019re capable of unless you use your voice and speak up with confidence.\u201d While the industry is decided male-oriented, Susie Woodhull, CEO of Springboro, Ohio-based Woodhull LLC, believes it offers a great opportunity to for those who seek to occupy the corner office. She sees the office technology sector as being welcoming, inclusive and cutting-edge. \u201cCertainly, men don\u2019t have anything over women in terms of technology,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it\u2019s a really good time for women because technology is blind in terms of someone\u2019s capabilities.\u201d  Lastly, finding a mentor whom you admire and respect and who is willing to work with you along the course of your development can help pave the path toward enriching leadership skills. Dawn Abbuhl, president of Repeat Business Systems in Albany, New York, provides mentoring for both men and women but finds more women gravitate toward her. Leadership skills are learned; they don\u2019t come naturally, she notes. Abbuhl believes the best method for women to become optimal leaders is to be one\u2019s authentic self. \u201cYou have to be really authentic because then people will trust you and they\u2019ll know what they\u2019re getting,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not to say that you shouldn\u2019t be more assertive, but if you\u2019re not an assertive person, you can\u2019t make yourself assertive. Form serious relationships with your team, because they make the world go around. That\u2019s why RBS sells so much, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":166,"featured_media":56606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1650,82,87,1638],"tags":[4096],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56605"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/166"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56605"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56607,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56605\/revisions\/56607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}