Unlocking Tech Leadership: The Journey of a Female Leader in Tech
Today, I am excited to share a story that encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of a young female leader in the tech industry. The journey that unfolded led to the conviction that the future is female in tech leadership.
About Kosi Maon
Kosi Maon, the director of the solution engineering team for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, shares her journey of becoming a tech leader. At the age of 27, she stepped into a leadership position embracing the challenges brought by her unique intersection of being a woman, young, and a tech leader.
Kosi's Journey
Starting Point
After university, Kosi kick-started her career by snagging a job as a junior IT consultant. However, she quickly realized that she was sidelined because of her gender. A job offer in London, at this challenging juncture, seemed like an opportunity for a fresh start. She decided to move countries, leaving her comfort zone to work in a more inclusive and diverse environment.
Journey to Leadership
In her new job, Kosi found a supportive boss who encouraged her growth, pushing her to step into the spotlight and refine her public speaking skills. Despite the setback of her manager leaving the company, she learned to be self-dependent and continued her growth by switching departments and challenging herself further.
Overcoming Obstacles
The road to success was not easy for Kosi. She had to overcome obstacles like denied promotions and gender-biased treatment. She decided to quit her company and join Microsoft. This move proved fruitful, leading her back to her old company, but this time in a leadership role as the Director.
Lessons from the Journey
Even though Kosi's journey came with significant ups and downs, she learned valuable lessons along the way.
- A common challenge women face while entering leadership roles is accepting that they can't be liked by everyone. Kosi advises that embracing this fact fortifies your confidence, enabling you to handle diverse situations more efficiently.
- Despite the stereotypes, women can excel in tech. There's a need for more women leaders in technology, as they only occupy less than 20% of all tech leadership positions.
- Believing in yourself is crucial. If you undervalue yourself, others will too. Research your worth in the market, and don't hesitate to negotiate.
- Make yourself visible within the company and build a strong network. This network will not only help you progress but also support you when you need it.
- Last but not least, don't be afraid of failure. Failing is part of the growing and learning process. Allow yourself to fail and learn from your failures.
Keys to a Confident, Successful Career in Tech
Kosi provides some valuable suggestions for advancing your career in tech.
- Believe in Yourself: Building confidence in yourself and your knowledge is crucial in any professional journey.
- Don't Undervalue Yourself: Negotiate your worth and do not sell yourself short. Equal work warrants equal pay.
- Be Visible and Network: Make yourself seen within the company and establish a strong network both inside and outside the office.
- Allow Failing: Do not fear failure. It's a stepping stone to success. Grow through every failure.
In conclusion, Kosi iterates the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and believing in your abilities. Always remember: growing doesn't mean fighting; it means doing something where you feel uncertain but going above that point will definitely result in a breakthrough.