Mastering Corporate Culture And Balancing Demands With Ashley Lee
Are you ready to dive into the world of leadership and personal development? At Leadership After Hours, we believe in bringing you a diverse range of guests who can provide real-time insights and inspiration. That's why we're thrilled to introduce this week's guest, the incredible Ashley Lee!
Ashley is not only an accomplished IT leader for the state of Tennessee Government, but she's also a mother of six and a rising star in a male-dominated sector. When I had the opportunity to do a leadership workshop with her team earlier this year, I was blown away by the culture, engagement, and commitment to excellence they displayed. Now, let's delve into three key highlights from our captivating conversation.
Curiosity is a must: As a leader, having a genuine interest in people opens up a world of possibilities. The diversity of experiences, challenges, and perspectives individuals bring to the table can transform your leadership journey into something truly extraordinary. Ashley loves that she leads and works with a diverse range of software developers, some of which are introverted and private. “When you think about IT, you typically think of a very introverted person typing away coding on a laptop all by themselves in this dark room with a hoodie over their head, hacking away. To me that is so intriguing and makes me want to crack their shell.” Embrace this beautiful complexity and witness firsthand how problem-solving, inspiration, and collaboration become second nature when you genuinely connect with those around you.
Family first: Creating a family-first culture is essential for fostering a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to excel. The law of reciprocity is universal. When you support the priorities of your employees, which means family first and work second, you will build a profound sense of loyalty and dedication. Company leadership plays a crucial role in supporting parents and ensuring open communication. In a post-pandemic world where work and personal life often intertwine, companies must integrate both seamlessly to attract and retain top talent. By embracing a work family that extends beyond colleagues and includes loved ones, a powerful bond is formed, cultivating unity, trust, and shared success.
Engaging remote workers: The new world of remote work calls for master virtual leaders. To build successful remote teams, it's crucial to foster engagement and strong relationships. Encouraging everyone to keep their cameras on during virtual meetings creates a sense of presence and connection, making interactions personal and meaningful. But it doesn't stop there. Ashley has a personal first question policy in every one-on-one meeting. By asking specific personal questions as the first point of conversation, she builds a culture of trust and camaraderie. “I will go to my grave saying that life is about building healthy relationships. Not everybody takes the time to get there with others.”
To uncover all the valuable insights Ashley shared during our episode, make sure to listen or watch the full episode. And if you have rising leaders in your life, be sure to share the Leadership After Hours podcast with them. Together, let's empower each other to reach new heights in leadership and personal growth!
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-Sean Patton