Nancy Powell, Chief Product Officer, Versatech Inc.
Summary of Nancy Powell’s leadership interview
- Leadership Mentor/Role Model: Her CFO at Versatech, who has been instrumental in mergers and acquisitions. She learned a great deal from him, especially in an area that had piqued her curiosity and become a goal for the year.
- Surprise About Leadership Role: How different each day is. While there are common goals, the daily priorities often get swallowed by minutiae, requiring constant resets and reprioritization.
- Biggest Leadership Lesson Learned: Trusting your gut when hiring someone and not allowing someone who isn’t a good fit to stay too long, despite external pressures.
- Best Leadership Decision: Building a strong team that works well together, which has allowed for a clear succession plan and helps her maintain a work-life balance while developing future leaders.
- Worst Business Decision: Keeping an employee too long, which impacted not just her but the entire team’s morale. This experience taught her the importance of addressing poor fits early on to avoid long-term damage.
- Excitement About the Future of the Company: The clarity the company has gained in terms of its business capabilities has enabled her to drive success and focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) in her role.
- Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Be radically candid and authentic, ensuring you do everything with integrity and respect. Avoid surrounding yourself with “yes men” and always speak your truth.
