“I started blocking time on my calendar every Friday for a highs and lows reflection on the week. This helps me take stock of what I've done well and why so that I can consciously replicate those successes.”
This tip from Clari Senior Product Manager, Kathryn Schwartz, is just one example of how women at Clari are taking creative approaches to reach their goals. As Women’s Month comes to a close, we reflect on the value women repeatedly bring to organizations globally. For example, McKinsey & Company reports that companies with more women in senior leadership positions see higher profits and stock performance. Closer to home, seven of Clari’s top salespeople in 2021 were women.
Female excellence is well documented, but so are the challenges they face in the workplace every day—especially as they push forward in their careers and navigate ongoing macro-environmental disruptions like COVID-19. For example, women in senior-level positions report higher levels of exhaustion and burnout than men, with 54% vs. 41% citing exhaustion and 39% vs. 29% citing burnout, according to the World Economic Forum.
A few of Clari’s women leaders shared best practices around tackling imposter syndrome, gender bias, a lack of equality in social burdens, and more.
17 Career Growth Tips from Clari’s Remarkable Women Leaders
Martina Trucco, VP of Corporate Marketing and Corporate Communications
One word I’ve put under a microscope this year is the word just. Although we often use it to try to soften the way digital communication is read, it can diminish the impact of your communication. Instead, I focus on leveraging active, empowered language.
Alyssa Banuelos, Head of Technical Program Management
Be vocal. Ask for what you want, say what you need, and share what’s on your mind. In most cases, you’ll find that people are willing to help you get to your destination. You just need to tell them where you’re headed.
Candi Kenney, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition at Clari
We've all been in the room where we make a recommendation, solve a roadblock, share an idea, and it goes unnoticed. Minutes later, someone else makes the same recommendation and everyone notices. It can be frustrating, especially as you try to advocate for yourself and your career. But my advice is to take a breath and remind yourself that the team win is your win.
Kathryn Schwartz, Senior Product Manager
It’s important to acknowledge and take credit for our achievements. I started blocking time on my calendar every Friday for a highs and lows reflection on the week. This helps me take stock of what I've done well and why so that I can consciously replicate those successes the following week.
Jessica Starr, Head of Product Operations
Think about the outcome you want to achieve before you take action. It sounds obvious, but if I’m not sure how to approach a situation or solve a particularly hard problem, I take a step back and make sure I have clarity on the goal.
Emily Pisani, Senior Manager Executive Engagement
The worst someone can say is no, so you might as well ask. You are often rewarded just for asking because people like to help if they can. For example, I expressed interest in an open role at my company and got a no. However, it was followed up with, "but, I think you would be great for this other role." That role was a great next step for my career growth. Because I put myself and my skills out there, I opened myself up to opportunities.
Michelle Vu, Team Lead, Solutions Consultant
A career tip that helped me move from individual contributor to team lead was documenting accomplishments with measurable context to support that achievement. When you record relevant metrics and impact, you’re able to talk through them. You can use this list to justify raises and win in interviews.
Sara DePriest, Manager Strategic Customer Success
Develop relationships with advocates who can vouch for your work ethic and readiness for increased responsibility. I look for ways to optimize the process, excite customers, and provide valuable observations. By taking on additional responsibilities I can form relationships and credibility with cross-functional business partners who can, in turn, advocate for me when opportunities for career advancement arise.
Katie Stanforth, Director of Strategic Programs - Customers for Life
In the past five years of career growth, not once has the promotion been a position that existed prior, even when switching companies. My advice is to think deeply about what aspects of your job you are passionate about, what gaps you see the company needs filled and make it known. Force yourself to be radically candid, and graciously accept radical candor in return. Care personally, challenge directly.
Yulie Virchenko, Project Manager
Women tend to work hard in silence because we are typically our own toughest critics. We don’t think we deserve the praise and question our capabilities if we aren’t overqualified when it comes to promotions.
It’s important to reprogram ourselves to recognize that what we have accomplished is significant and communicate it to our managers, leaders, and peers. I challenge myself and the women around me to take credit for the work we’ve done and amplify our contributions.
Erin Yzquierdo, Manager, Customer Success
My mentors and managers saw potential in my abilities and provided me the opportunities to showcase these to promote my career trajectory. As I've mentored others, I've tried to do the same by encouraging mentees to feel confident in their abilities by providing new perspectives of how to tackle a challenge or collectively come together to work towards their goals.
Ruchika Saini, Software Test Engineer
My advice is to be proactive. Seek clarity in the concepts behind projects so that when you carry them out you can be concise and clear in your communication and execution. This helps you identify bugs early on and deliver quality every time.
"Always be your best advocate" is something I live by. It stems from understanding and affirming your unique value adds. Having confidence in your strengths provides the foundation that empowers you to navigate tough conversations, set realistic expectations, crush goals, and rise to the next level in your career.
Danielle Mathis, Senior Manager Talent Acquisition
Take advantage of your company’s growth and education resources—even if you already have experience in an area. For example, I have been a people manager before, but I took Clari's Ascend Management course. One new tip I’ve added to my weekly one-on-ones is a feedback section. It's been fantastic and provides a safe space to spark dialogue that fosters greater trust, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving.
Stephanie Silliman, Lead Sales Engineer
I believe the most important skill in sales is to be a good listener. Active listening is critical to gain trust both with prospects and coworkers. The key is to practice listening in order to understand, not just listening to respond. Listen, ask thoughtful follow-up questions based on what you heard, and then listen some more.
Alisha Chander, Head of Value Engineering
We often hope that our achievements on their own will get us recognition and career growth. However, if you don't ask for what you want, no one will know that you want it. In our career journeys, it’s our responsibility to clearly express our goals, identify steps to get there and ask for the opportunity.
Jackie Okada, Talent Operations
Being best-in-class means being a sponge. I soak up as much knowledge as I can to become an expert in my craft. When I surround myself with positive, like-minded people, it challenges me to bring my best self.
Help more women grow their careers
By sharing best practices from our remarkable women at Clari, we hope to help others navigate their unique career paths. Clari is committed to continuing the conversation around supporting women in business and providing resources to help our team members continue to grow.
We hope these tips sparked inspiration and invite you to share this blog with women in your network.
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