Welcome to the Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ! In this episode, our host and Founder of GrowthQ, Esther sits down with the inspiring Sharon Martin, a seasoned systems engineering leader, to delve into the challenges and mindset shifts one faces throughout their career journey.

Sharon shares her personal story of growth and resilience, from her early days as an enthusiastic individual contributor to her current season of intentional leadership. She reflects on the values instilled by her parents, such as perseverance, grit, and gratitude, and how they have shaped her approach to both personal and professional life.

Throughout the conversation, Sharon and Esther discuss the importance of reframing career events as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. They share their own experiences of resisting change and learning to embrace it as a chance to develop and evolve.

As a leader, Sharon emphasizes the significance of understanding oneself and aligning career choices with personal values. She discusses the shift from outward to inward leadership, stressing that genuine leadership comes from within and the ability to connect with others through emotional intelligence.

Sharon also shares valuable insights on navigating the first 90 days in a new leadership role, balancing patience with driving transformation, and gaining the trust and loyalty of one's team. She highlights the need to operate on a sliding scale of tactical and strategic priorities, juggling immediate actions with long-term goals.

Tune in to this engaging episode as Sharon Martin imparts her wisdom on embracing change, taking ownership of one's career, and the power of intentionality and clarity in becoming a better executive and leader. Get ready to be inspired and learn how to navigate your own career journey with resilience and grace!

Timestamp Topics

00:00 Leadership values rooted in family struggle and perseverance.

04:21 Challenging stereotypes and systems in engineering.

10:23 Leadership is about knowing yourself deeply.

14:53 Authenticity and intentionality are keys to success.

18:06 Balancing patience in leadership while driving transformation.

22:04 Assess, listen, establish; avoid missteps in leadership.

24:33 Continuous learning, adapting, and balancing short-term/long-term goals.

28:31 Adapting to change, learning, and personal growth.

32:32 Learning to accept others' limitations and grow.

35:01 Continuous learning through intentional daily habits is transformative.

37:31 Share tools with future leaders. Pass it on.

40:14 Passionate about success, Sharon pours into others.

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