Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1522815
7 | Unlocking the Secrets of Influential Leadership Leadership is about inspiring and influencing others toward a common goal, not just holding a position of authority. In today's work environment, simply relying on authority doesn't work. Our panel of women in engineering leadership share their hard-won wisdom on inspiring, empowering, and motivating their teams. From fostering personal connections and leading by example to embracing failure as a learning tool, these remarkable women reveal the strategies that have propelled them to the top of their fields. Three key themes emerged from our interviews: strategies to inspire and influence teams, approaches to empower and motivate risk- taking and decision-making, and the importance of fostering relationships with team members. Inspire and Influence Your Team Tori Foust leads a team of project managers at Samtec. As the director of project management responsible for executing critical engineering projects, she has plenty of hands-on experience managing teams and inspiring them to meet a common goal. "I've learned to inspire and influence members of my team by being in their corner," says Foust. "I ensure they know I'm here for them and willing to help them." She continues, "People tend to stay in their comfort zones. I give them opportunities to try new things." She shares an example of someone on her team who needed to become more familiar with tools for risk management. Foust suggested that she talk to other people to help fill the gaps in her knowledge: "I worked closely with her to create a plan that empowered her. The most effective approach is where you collaborate with someone and provide them with the tools and confidence they need to take the lead and excel in their position." Esugasini Subramaniam, who leads a global team as the director of supply chain and engineering at Micron Technology, shared her advice. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® workshop helped me learn how to inspire and influence my team," says Subramaniam. "Ten years ago, I set out to become a role model for women in engineering. Since overcoming a tough background, I've dedicated myself to personal growth, striving to be an inspiring leader others can look up to and turn to for guidance."