In this inspiring conversation, Lauren Newton shares her unconventional career path from art school to senior leadership in HR and recruiting. Her story highlights the importance of vulnerability, strategic risk-taking, and fostering authentic relationships in professional growth.
- The leap of faith: transitioning from creative arts to staffing without prior connections
- Lessons learned from working at Facebook and Medium during hyper-growth and pandemic challenges
- Building psychological safety and vulnerability as leadership strengths
- Navigating career pivots: from individual contributor to team builder and head of functions
- The significance of seeking mentorship, articulating ambitions, and making strategic plans
- Work-life boundaries and balancing motherhood with high-stakes roles
In this episode:
- Lauren discusses how her early passion for art influenced her creative approach to recruiting
- The moment she decided to leave a stable job for high-risk opportunities during pregnancy
- How vulnerability and transparency built her leadership reputation
- The role of internal relationships and political awareness in career advancement
- Practical advice for managing boundaries as a working parent in tech
Timestamps:
00:00 - Lauren Newton’s childhood dreams and career evolution
02:03 - Transition from art school to creative recruiting success
03:22 - How a Monster.com resume led to her first recruiting role
04:09 - The importance of early career mentorship and networking
06:38 - From staffing agency to in-house recruiting at startups
08:32 - Experiences and challenges at Facebook during rapid growth
10:46 - The moment Lauren realized the impact of her work at Medium
12:35 - Overcoming risk aversion and taking bold career leaps while pregnant
15:22 - Building confidence through transparent leadership and advocacy
17:20 - Navigating pregnancy and inclusion in corporate culture
18:38 - Transitioning from Facebook to Medium as a transformational move
20:10 - Leading teams through hyper-growth and organizational change
23:19 - Recognizing leadership potential and advocating for yourself
27:24 - Cultivating vulnerability and transparency for psychological safety
30:45 - The power of being known and internal networking
34:36 - Handling corporate politics with integrity and strategy
40:50 - Setting boundaries for work-life harmony as a working mom
56:20 - Lauren’s favorite books on leadership and resilience
60:05 - Reflection on art, life, and ongoing learning
Lauren emphasizes that vulnerability, transparency, and strategic risk are key to authentic leadership. Her journey exemplifies that with clarity of purpose and strong relationships, career pivots and challenges become opportunities for growth.
Resources & Links:
- No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings
- Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Connect with Lauren Newton:
#Vulnerability #Leadership #TechCareers #CareerGrowth #WorkingParents |
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