Diva Tech chatted with Karla Thomas, DirectorIT, Global Cyber Security and Audit at Tower International. Tower is a Tier 1 leading global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies primarily serving original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). On the information technology team at Tower for 12 years, Karla has worked all over the globe and as well as throughout the United States.

“All along, one of the things key to what I do is the ability to communicate with non-technical people, bridging that gap between IT and the business,” Karla said. She described a number of situations where that ability has been key, and where she had had to overcome challenges because of it.

She recommended that professionals not “pigeonhole” themselves into “just understanding what you do. If you want to be successful, you have to  have your ears open,understand and listen to what the business is doing not just what IT is doing.” She also credits industry groups and conferences as ways to open up the mind.

Karla’s advice foraspiringleaders is:

• Develop a strong, firm,consistent, authentic personality “that you aren’t going to change.”(“As women, we are different in the way that we converse with people, inspire people, motivate people. Lead your way.”)
• Be willing to do what you ask your people to do.
• Ensure that you thank and recognize people.
• Be a conscious role model.

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