In this episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole talks to Jane Saccaro, a CEO, executive coach, and speaker with over two decades of experience helping individuals and organisations formulate, communicate, and mobilize to achieve a shared vision. They discuss the significance of listening and building strong relationships within a workspace to foster trust and competence. Jane offers her approach to negotiation, aiming to simplify the process and alleviate discomfort when asking for more money.

Nicole and Jane discuss her journey from growing up in the Midwest with leadership tendencies to becoming a CEO, highlighting her experiences of deep listening and peer counselling during high school, which shaped her understanding of human connection. Jane pursued a major in economics and a minor in psychology, which led her to strategic consulting at Bain and Company, where she learned the importance of relationship-building and credible demonstration of competence. After Bain, she transitioned to eToys.com, embracing the challenges of a new industry and climbing up from an associate product manager to a leadership role during the internet bubble era. 

They discuss Jane's move to Princess Cruises, where she faced the challenge of being one of the few women in a male-dominated environment. She emphasises the importance of relationship-building both shipboard and within the office. Jane also discusses her time in Zurich, Switzerland, where she decided to move into the social sector, aiming to find meaning in her hard work. She prepared by educating herself in various aspects of nonprofit management. Upon returning to the States, she joined Kasem, a small but promising nonprofit.

Throughout this fascinating and insightful conversation, Jane provides insights into successful negotiation, stressing preparation and the importance of understanding one's worth and the company's position. She offers advice on advocating for oneself, having intentional conversations, and practicing good body language to remain connected and calm during negotiations.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The transformative power of deep listening and empathy and Jane's early experiences with peer counselling in high school, which laid the foundation for her leadership philosophy.
• Jane's journey at Bain and Company, revealing how critical relationship-building and credibility are in establishing oneself as a young leader in a competitive environment.
• The importance of tenacity and adaptability, particularly during tumultuous times, like the internet bubble era.
• How her strategic approach to earning trust and forging strong relationships allowed her to succeed in a challenging, male-dominated  work environment.
• How Jane's time in Zurich brought clarity to her career trajectory, and how she derived fulfilment from aligning hard work with meaningful impact.
• Demystifying negotiation, particularly for women - preparation, knowing one’s value, understanding the employer's standpoint, and practicing confident body language.
• And so much more...

Resources:

Nicole McMackin LinkedIn

Jane Saccaro LinkedIn

Jane's website