“Be willing to jump. If you jump you’re going to win – or you’re going to learn.”
The 2x Women in Tech Podcast with Chelsea Behrens
Christie Randolph, Director of Business Enablement at SAP
If you’re seeking clarity about whether the tech industry would make a good fit for you and your skill set, look no further than Host Chelsea Behrens’ guest on this episode of The 2X Women in Tech Podcast. Christie Randolph, Director of Business Enablement at SAP, is offering the laser-sharp insights you’ve been hoping for! Taking a risk and switching up her initial focus as an industrial engineer in the textile industry, she has been on a broad-based, opportunity-filled journey within the tech sector – a space that wasn’t even on the radar early in her career.
You’ll learn how Christie deals with Impostor Syndrome (something that for most people never entirely goes away), identifies strong leadership capabilities and prioritizes her time (something she believes can be especially challenging for women). She also explains why it’s important to know how to pivot, even when it feels scary. Taking on multiple roles in sales and project management, Christie has learned how to move through seasons of learning and growth. Without hesitation, she has asked for help, relied on mentors and taken from every setback important self-knowledge. Her commitment to an ever more diverse and inclusive tech industry reminds us all that the door is wide open. And, as Christie’s story and wisdom so clearly demonstrate, there really are no failures when we’re willing to put it out there and give things a try: “Be willing to jump. If you jump, you’re going to win – or you’re going to learn.” In other words, it’s a victory either way!
Key Takeaways:
What exactly is business enablement? It’s the gateway between internal business partners and the needs they want to communicate to the appropriate IT design and development teams.
Christie traces the arc of her career – which starts post-college as an industrial engineer doing time studies at a large textile manufacturing company that emphasized professional development, including the teachings of Stephen Covey and Dale Carnegie.
The Power of Personal Connection: Christie’s intuitive knack for relating to and collaborating with people (even those more senior) helped smooth the way early on.
How and why Christie found her way into the tech sector: She was looking for more opportunity and more for her life. Once into the space, she realized that she also liked being part of something that felt relevant and fluid.
Christie’s career pivots have taught her three critical things:
She will always find her footing and eventually drive, even if Impostor Syndrome rears its head initially.
If her gut tells her a role is a mismatch, she has to trust that knowing and be brave enough to walk away. It’s not a mistake. It’s a learning moment!
A great leader sets the stage for success by being supportive, strong and clearing the runway to empower her team members to move forward.
Assessing Leadership Style:
Have core conversations with prospective leaders about their views on the relationship between individual and team advancement.
Get input and perspectives from senior leaders, peers and direct reports.
Register a leader’s openness to growth and development.
Impostor Syndrome: It’s a thing! Everybody feels it, no matter how high up the ladder. So don’t beat yourself up. Remember to ask for your team’s help and support.
Looking to reorient your career in another space? When it comes to tech, consider:
Whatever your sector or expertise, there are transferrable skills.
Investigate! Reach out to your network through LinkedIn or word of mouth.
Just ask! People are more willing than you might think to help you transition.
Christie shares her origin story – How a series of events and her openness to trying cleared a path for her to move into the tech space and flourish!
The power of a mentor: Early in her tech career Christie identified a woman leader whose style she admired and asked for her support. It’s a relationship that has helped her cultivate her own style and navigate a professional path based on openness.
Growth versus Learning? You want both, depending on the season of development. It ebbs and flows.
Tech Industry Ideals: Christie would like to see an industry that truly reflects the 360º world in which we live, including diversity and parity (in compensation and all other respects).
Christie’s Wisdom:
Be willing to jump. If you jump, you’re going to win or – minimally – you’re going to learn something.
As a prospective leader, shoot for a mix of: selflessness, patience and a willingness to relinquish control.
Across the Board: Keep front of mind the things that are priorities in your life. We want to be driven, but also mindful and clear about the things that are important to be selfish about – something women are often reluctant to do.
Episode Resources:
Christie Randolph on LinkedIn
To listen to more incredible interviews with Women in Tech, click here.