‘Don’t worry what others think about you’
Q&A with Sarah Jane Peterschlingmann, managing director, ATech; Women in Digital Leader of the Year finalist
HOW DID YOU REACH LEADERSHIP?
I started ATech about 11 years ago and did everything myself. Now we have a core team of 10 and look after international software companies and retailers and organisations across Australia and have 500 clients globally.
ARE MORE FEMALE LEADERS NEEDED?
Absolutely. Most companies are marketing products to both genders so if there is a lack of representation in leadership by women you are missing out on the opportunity to understand and connect with, typically, 50 per cent of your customers. It seems like a no-brainer.
HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE WOMEN?
We need to support women in their careers. It is the job of the existing male leaders to look at the women that are working with them and to mentor them. A lot of programs focus on helping women be more confident at work but when it comes to more technical skills, such as financial training or marketing strategies, leadership executives might be tempted to mentor their male subordinates. Technical skills help to drive a career forward in executive leadership.
WHAT QUALITIES DO WOMEN BRING TO LEADERSHIP?
I think women are, as a general statement, better at questioning decisions and finding out more information to enhance the decisionmaking process. Men tend to be much quicker to make a decision whereas women will typically say “hang on a second, have you thought about this?”.
HAVE YOU FACED CAREER BARRIERS AS A WOMAN?
Sadly, I faced discrimination on a regular basis. Almost every week there would be some sort of comment made. I say I work in IT and people say “I didn’t know there were any women in IT”. It can be tiring. I’ve had some pretty awful things said to me over the years. The most important thing is to not worry what other people think about you. If you do have a lack of confidence in your role, educate yourself. If anybody has a passion, whether in technology or any career, do what you love and don’t worry what other people think about you.