We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Steffens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsey, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
It can be a challenging situation when you are the only person in the room who looks like you. In times like that, I remember that I’m in the room for a reason and it emboldens me to be more creative, strategic, and brazen in my ideas. Me being in the room is already a subversive act– why not continue that trend by presenting creative, but data driven ideas that others may be afraid to discuss. If I’m in the room, I need to use every moment I can to add value and make my voice heard.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have over a decade of both Change Management and Product Management experience. I am an expert in adoption for technology-based projects. I love making complex technological changes feel easier and more approachable for leaders and individual contributors alike. One of my taglines is that “I make work not suck for humans” and I take that seriously! Work can be hard and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. As a leader, I pride myself in making sure that the team feels safe and knows that I will be there to support them. When people feel safe, they can be more innovative and creative. I am also currently receiving my Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.
I believe I have an innate ability to put people at ease and make them feel seen and heard. This is helpful when generating organizational strategies with the person at the center of that strategy. People are beautiful, rich, and complex and people deserve to see themselves and their contribution within the workplace.
I enjoy speaking engagements and consulting with companies on organizational design strategies, product implementations, and executive coaching engagements.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1.) A strong sense of self-worth and discernment is key. Especially in corporate environments, other peoples’ insecurity can come across as criticism or non-actionable feedback for others. Having the ability to separate legitimate feedback aimed at helping you from criticisms coming from someone who is insecure is key and will help to keep you focused on the right things at the right times.
2.) A thirst for knowledge! If you are curious about something, explore! Read books. listen to podcasts, just be hungry for knowledge and actively seek it out. Learning can happen in small bites. Don’t get overwhelmed or feel as if you have to commit to school or a certification to learn. Just take it a bit at a time, but you are worth the investment in yourself to learn!
3.) Be open to new experiences. There were many roles or projects I was asked to take on that I didn’t know a lot about or was scared about, but I took them on anyway. Being open to those experiences helped up skill me for the future and helped me discover new skills and passions. The “why not” mentality has helped me get pretty far in my career.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents never stopped believing in me and told me I could be/do anything as long as I tried my best. As cliche as this sounds, it really was helpful for me not only as a child, but even now as an adult. I start to think “Oh yea, I’m smart enough to figure that out”, instead of being worried about messing up. Instilling that mindset and a strong work ethic is so key. Thanks Mom and Dad! Love you both!!
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Knox College
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