Sabrina Dupré Interview with Claudia Chan of SheSummit
I had the good fortune of being interviewed by Claudia Chan, one of NYC’s great entrepreneurs and supporters of strong women everywhere. Here’s how it went:
ON SELF CARE
Q: HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE YOUR TIME AND MOVE THE NEEDLE WHEN THERE IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH TO DO TODAY?
A: There is always too much to do today. Which is why I constantly have to remind myself that it will all still be there tomorrow. It’s personally difficult for me to unplug, but when the pile is especially high, I try to break it up into manageable pieces and focus on simply tackling one thing at a time. I also took up running a few years ago and I’ve fallen in love with it. I never thought I could become a “runner,” but I think the fact that it gets me outside and somewhat effortlessly clears my head is what’s kept me at it. It’s also on my runs that my ongoing inner dialogue finally “quiets” and I’m able to think through challenges thoughtfully and come up with solutions.
ON LEADERSHIP
Q: AS WOMEN MANAGE AND LEAD MORE TEAMS, CAN YOU SHARE ANY ADVICE ON BUILDING COMPANY/TEAM CULTURE THAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR YOU?
A: Managing people can be one of the most challenging and yet rewarding aspects of work. When I first started out overseeing a team, I spent a lot of time worrying if I was a good leader—was I too friendly or too firm, was my vision unrealistic or my expectations too high, did my team like me, and so on and so forth. I finally realized that I was where I was, because of who I was and that maybe just being me was the best route to take. Since that epiphany, I’ve come to trust myself and my judgment in an entirely new way. Whether in work or in life, I firmly believe that we each need to be the change we want to see. To me, that means first and foremost leading by example—trying to see the unique contributions that each individual can make, giving room for failure, constantly encouraging learning and not least of all, trying to be the best version yourself. Humor and passion are key ingredients to what I consider a recipe for a successful team culture—I couldn’t manage without them.
ON TAKING RISK
Q: FAILURE IS ….(PLEASE FILL IN THE BLANK).
A: Failure is…learning.
ON CONFIDENCE
Q: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. WHAT ARE YOU ALWAYS PRACTICING TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE? HOW DO YOU BEST INFLUENCE OR NEGOTIATE WITH PEOPLE AS A LEADER? PLEASE SHARE ANY TACTICS.
A: I’ve always had some level of natural confidence—and I feel blessed to have it. But, of course, everyone has insecurities and I think women, even more than men, tend to second-guess their confidence all the time (whether we admit it or not). When I sense something that is triggering an insecurity or worse yet, a fear, I try to look at it and understand what’s really behind it, because oftentimes that can totally diffuse it. More than anything though, I try to maintain an adventurous heart. Not being afraid to pursue something even when the horizon is uncertain, and choosing to see the unknown as an adventure—with a “Who knows what’s on the other side!” kind of attitude—is key for me. Oh, and not forgetting to be spontaneous.
Q: LOOKING BACK AT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ACHIEVED, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
A: Being there for my mom when she was sick. I risked work, finances and my personal life to take the time I knew I needed to in order to be there for her—and I was. The person I was throughout that time, as her daughter (and her “rock” as she called me), was my proudest moment and it changed my life perspective and priorities entirely, and for the better.
ON STARTING OUT
Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU SHARE WITH YOUNG WOMEN COMING OUT OF COLLEGE?
A: Don’t be afraid of the unknown, and don’t stress out about your career. Life is unexpected—embrace it. Follow your own path and trust yourself along the way.
This interview originally appeared at ClaudiaChan.com on March 3, 2014.
