The Disruptive Leader

From Island Girl to Global Tech Leader: Denise Thijzen's Journey of Cultural Adaptability

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In this heartwarming and insightful episode, we explore Denise Thijzen's remarkable journey as a Product Manager at HubSpot and former top-performing Customer Success leader. 

Born and raised in Aruba, Denise's story is a testament to the power of cultural adaptability and maintaining childlike wonder in professional growth. 

From her early days coding Sailor Moon websites to leading global tech teams, Denise shares how her multilingual background and diverse cultural experiences have shaped her approach to product management and team leadership. 

This episode explores themes of identity, belonging, and the unique perspective that comes from being a global citizen in the tech industry.


KEY TOPICS & CHAPTER MARKERS

  • Caribbean Roots and Childlike Wonder [01:45] A candid discussion about growing up in Aruba in the pre-internet era and how maintaining childlike curiosity has shaped Denise's approach to life and work.
  • The Global Nomad Experience [07:30] Exploring Denise's journey from Aruba to the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland and the challenges and rewards of building a life across multiple cultures.
  • Language as a Superpower [12:15] Discussion about how speaking multiple languages (Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish) influences problem-solving and product development in a global context.
  • Finding Home in a Global World [19:45] A touching conversation about the concept of Home for global citizens and how it evolves from a physical place to a feeling of connection.
  • The HubSpot Success Story [25:30] Deep dive into Denise's remarkable achievements at HubSpot Dublin and her transition from customer success to product management.
  • Bridging Technical and Human Communication [35:20] Insights into how Denise translates complex technical concepts for different audiences and builds psychological safety in distributed teams.
  • The HEART of Leadership [42:15] Discussion of HubSpot's HEART values (Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent) and their practical application in daily work.
  • Leading Global Teams [48:30] Strategies for building trust and ensuring every voice is heard in cross-cultural, remote teams.


    • RESOURCES & LINKS

    • Connect with Denise Thijzen on LinkedIn
    • HubSpot Careers
    • HubSpot's HEART Values
    • Product Management Resources at HubSpot


      • MEMORABLE QUOTES 

      • "Home is when you're with the people that allow you to be who you are." - Denise Thijzen
      • "I approach life with childlike wonder... that innate curiosity to understand why things are the way they are." - Denise Thijzen


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          The Disruptive LeaderBy Ranya B ✨