Stop Being Hysterical and Slow Down - an Interview with Laura Guio

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

It was such an honor to spend time with Laura Guio, a powerful and influential leader with a 30-year career at IBM. Laura joined us from Copenhagen, Denmark to share her journey, filled with invaluable lessons, challenges, and the wisdom she gained along the way.  Laura dives into the nuances of building a successful career, the importance of adaptability, and the art of maintaining a strong personal brand. Her insights are not just reflections of her professional journey but also serve as guiding principles for anyone looking to make their mark in their career. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE INTERVIEW: Embrace Continuous Learning and Role Versatility (02:15): Success often comes from the willingness to learn and adapt. Taking on various roles to understand different aspects of a business can be more beneficial than excelling in just one area. Being versatile and competent across multiple domains often outweighs being a specialist in a single field. Cultivate a Strong Personal Brand (05:04): Knowing what you want to be known for and protecting your brand is crucial. This involves being conscious of how you treat people, your decisions, and how you’re perceived, which collectively contribute to your professional identity. Value Direct and Honest Communication (07:29): Effective communication, especially in challenging environments, requires being straightforward yet respectful. This approach helps in navigating complex professional landscapes and contributes to long-term success. Importance of Self-Awareness and Inner Voice (8:38): Understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and personal values is crucial for making informed career decisions and maintaining authenticity. Listening to your inner voice and being self-aware can guide you through your career journey. Treating Everyone with Respect and Kindness (22:01): As Laura Guio learned from her father, treating everyone from the janitor to the CEO with the same level of respect and kindness is essential. This approach not only fosters a positive work environment but also reinforces a leader’s integrity and humanity. To stay up-to-date with future interviews and gain valuable resources on building mindset and influence for real change, be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn, AND to learn more about how to build the mindset and influence for real change, join our Fearless Female Leader community at www.sherylkline.com. Finally, if I can help you or your team to decide and create a plan for ‘what’s next’, to gain FBI-level influence , or to learn a sustainable high-performing workflow, please email me directly at [email protected].