“Success leave clues. People who succeed at the highest level are doing something differently than everyone else does.” -Tony Robbins
“Success leaves clues”…so when Mette Kaagaard, CEO of Microsoft Denmark and Iceland, offers an exclusive conversation, you go! ProWoc recently hosted a chat with Mette exploring the theme: Redefining Your Leadership Style in the Tech Era where she shared her roadmap for navigating leadership as a woman within the largely male-dominated tech sector. The leadership principles shared in this conversation aren’t just for corporate giants. They apply to anyone aiming to lead in todayâs dynamic world. The conversation touched on everything from bias in hiring to work life balance. Mette offered a glimpse into the unseen cost of leadership and explored gender norms in technology. I initially planned to share my thoughts on the event in a standard LinkedIn post featuring a punchy quote and a demure photo. However, 2-3 sentences just couldnât capture all my takeaways. Iâve distilled my reflections into six key insights.
1. On defining your leadership styleâŠ
âBe yourself. Donât be a man. Donât become someone else.â Mette stressed the importance of maintaining individuality. Thereâs an assumption that success requires acting, dressing, and talking in a uniform way. That evening, she wore a flowy multi-colored skirt, modeling that the only right way to lead is to do so authentically. Authentic leadership requires acting in accordance with your values, speaking truthfully, and promoting transparency. In an increasingly inauthentic world, where social media facades and AI filters are everywhere, authenticity is rare. However, authenticity is key. Mette stressed that âvalues are a signal for others.â How leaders act, what they say, and even what goes unspoken sends signals through the organization. Be clear on your values and act according to them.
2. On building a successful careerâŠ
âA career is a combination of will, education, relationships, and luck.â While Mette shared that part of your career will be a result of chance, she also acknowledged that luck only extends so far. The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” According to Mette, preparation looks like cultivating a strong network, investing in your professional development, and advocating for yourself. When faced with limited professional growth opportunities, Mette reflected, âif you feel like, âIâm better than where they want to put me,â you need to take responsibility for that.â Before reaching the ubiquitous glass ceiling, women leaders must overcome the broken rung. An idea popularized in Sheryl Sandbergâs Lean In, the ‘broken rung’ represents the step from entry level roles into management roles. Sandberg highlights that “for every 100 men promoted and hired to manager, only 72 women are promoted and hired.” Much of Metteâs success is due to her knowing when to stay and grow within an organization and when to leave an organization that was stifling her ambition.
3. On networking and mentoringâŠ
Sitting in a room of roughly 40 diverse women leaders, Mette underscored what brought us together in the boardroom at Villa Copenhagen: âHave a network of women who can help you out.â Networking is essential to building a successful career. Whether you need a friend to provide honest feedback or a senior colleague to help you navigate your next career step, a strong network is key to womenâs professional growth. Networking and mentoring are interlinked. As a leader, it’s important to focus on what you can give and how you can support others. Intentionally holding the door open for other women, Mette is a daring leader who invests in future leaders. She stressed that she hires âto see you grow into the role. I am not afraid to put people into the role who havenât done it before.â All too often, women only apply for jobs if they feel 100% qualified. Moreover, most companies hire women based on experience and men based on potential. But, if a woman is never given an opportunity to grow in her current role, she remains trapped in a vicious cycle of exclusion. Mette is inspiring others to dismantle this paradox.
4. On diversityâŠ
When asked about the role diversity plays on a team, Mette said, âDiversity is a key skill. We need to address bias across all levels of roles to ensure diversity. When I am hiring, I look at my team and assess whatâs missing. I might need females, young, old, foreigners, Danes.â Itâs been widely researched and reported that companies that prioritize diversity outperform others. However, organizations around the world have rolled back DEI efforts in the workplace. What Mette is saying and what research shows is that successful leaders donât just acknowledge the importance of diverse teams. Instead, they actively curate them by building a talent pipeline, addressing unconscious bias in hiring practices, and fostering a psychologically safe culture.
5. On choosing the right partnerâŠ
With an endearing smile, Mette disclosed, âMy husband is my best sparring partner. Heâs extremely wise and sees things differently than I do. Your partner plays such a big role in your professional development.â Mette knows what I can attest to: your life partner will be one of the most important decisions you make. Warren Buffet agrees and research confirms that your partner plays a critical role in your professional success. The people that surround you will influence you. Choose wisely and you will be changed âFor Goodâ!
6. On what really mattersâŠ
While itâs important to set clear career goals, it’s important to keep in sight what really matters. âThis is just a game. The real world is the kids, the husband, the friends.â Mette reminded us that titles, positions, and organizations arenât whatâs most important. While significant, career aspirations cannot eclipse spending valuable time with friends and family. Itâs easy to over-invest in our professional life, neglecting the important things in life. Successful leaders must prioritize physical and mental health, nurture romantic and platonic friendships, and maintain all the dimensions that make us whole. 
Written by ProWoc member (reposted from LinkedIn) Leah Justina Anyanwu Early Years Advocate | Equity Champion | Board Member| Community & Bridge Builder