Females First: Meet Paula

This week, say hello to Paula! Paula is a multilingual project manager.

Introduction

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m a Brazilian project management advisor and strategist (for design & IT projects). Today, I work full-time coordinating a product team that delivers end-to-end software development solutions for financial services applications in Latin American for a Tech Multinational.

What is the best part of your job?

Facilitating people’s growth on a personal level, and also professionally - not only to achieve the company’s objectives/goals, but also the team member’s professional career development.

How did you get to where you are today?

To say the least, I started working really early-on, 6 years prior to having a college degree. Working massive hours and always challenging myself and/or accepting challenges that were given to or suggested to me - as key learning opportunities.

What did you find to be the most challenging?

Working with people that are less outcome-based and/or results-oriented that can combine these types of objectives while still being empathetic and inclusive to their needs/opinions. Certain types of “Traditionalism” / “Status-quo” bias used by colleagues to avoid effective structural change - which, most of the time are unconscious, that (yes) would be fairly challenging to perform, but would also - most definitely - bring new learnings/growth opportunities to the team, more staff satisfaction and profit to the company, as a consequence.

Communication and Project Management

How did you and your team find the transition to remote working in March?

It was fairly simple. My team and I have already been working on a flexible work-from-home policy before the lockdown, which made us have all the equipment needed to support the company during the lockdown in advance.

How do you check-in on your team members if you notice a lull in their productivity?

I have daily meetings with all team members to check on their work progress, but also I have 1:1s with each team member every two weeks, which makes us close to each other. I also organise online team moments in which we can chat and play games together.

What is the best way to ensure a project runs smoothly when working with dispersed teams?

Having a close relationship with the team so that they feel comfortable to call you out in advance of any risks or impediments. Also, 15 minute daily meetings definitely help with a team’s engagement routine.

Do you have any tips on how to ensure a great relationship between your team members?

1:1 meetings with a set agenda on get-to-know-each-other, personal and career coach and encouraging and facilitating healthy discussions among the team members, when necessary.

The Gender Question

Have you noticed any major differences in the way people treat you?

Absolutely! 

If I am more observant, calm and understanding most of the time, from a man's point of view I might not come out as diplomatic or polite. As a woman, I might come out as “dear and cute”. If I am too direct and efficient with my words, I might come out as rude and arrogant.

The success of my professional communication is based on the fine line between these two poles, and it takes time and caution to always be aware and diplomatic like this. It can take a lot of my professional energy; nonetheless, successful politics at work as a woman makes this effort a must - if I want to move forward with the ambition of being promoted or receiving new challenges in the future.

Do you know, roughly, the percentage of men to women in leadership positions in your industry/area?

Yes, in the tech industry women are around only 30% of the workforce (US/Europe). The number might be lower in emerging countries.

How can we be sure we don't pass subconscious bias down the line to our team members/clients?

First of all: be aware of the biases, and then stimulate a mindset within your team that passes them. It's our role to educate, encourage, and serve as an example to people to deconstruct these biases as well.

Having allies, such as men in leadership roles to support this deconstruction process is also an excellent strategy.

What advice do you have for young women entering this industry?

Learn the rules of the game! Corporate jobs have set rules and well-defined ways of working, so learn how the company works, learn how your team works, and how other women have succeeded in their careers in the company. Once you know the rules, you can design your career strategy and then re-design it according to the challenges you are faced with.

Once you know how to play the game, once you’ve been accepted by your team and colleagues, then you can start changing it - if necessary.

Also, make sure you have great strategic allies at work, women AND men. They are essential to help you out during your journey. ;)

I’d like to stress that according to the consulting firm McKinsey & Co., Inc., having more women in leadership roles is correlated with stronger financial returns. ;)

If you’d like to find out more about Paula, you can check out her website.