Authenticity Is Key: Bring Your True Self To Your Leadership

Sandy Ko, founder and principal of Customer Contact Women, offers key leadership advice.

”Why not bring your authentic self?”  

Sandy Ko, founder and principal of Customer Contact Women, says her background as a South Korean immigrant shaped her leadership style and gave her permission to “exist loudly.”

“Sandy Ko, founder and principal of @CCWomenStrong, says her background as a South Korean #immigrant shaped her #leadership style and gave her permission to “exist loudly.””

“Growing up in the 90s, in my second corporate job, senior leadership was the Boys Club of all white males.” She adds that she found, “There is power in connecting outside of your wheelhouse.”

After moving with her family to New Jersey when she was six, she found, “Everyone had a network. We didn’t have any family here. It was difficult to find Korean communities.”

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After graduating from Rutgers University in 2011 majoring in Music education, in 2013 she went to work at a Customer Management Practice. “I was so lost, I didn’t have guidance,” Ko says.

In October 2018, she started CCWomen, and turned into a summit. In 2023, 700 people joined globally.

“Having that place in a company where I am contributing to the growth of a company makes me want to pay it forward,” Ko says. “I am able to create this network of brilliant women without a sense of judgment or female rivalry.”

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Leading the recent CCWomen Summit, Ko moderated panels of women leaders discussing their strategies for success.

Joanna Moser, senior director data and analytics strategy, Medallia, offered that after eight years with the company, she has learned, “How to be an overachiever without falling into women’s stereotypes.”

Several agreed authenticity is key.

“You hear about bringing your whole self to work,” says Dr. Genefa Murphy, Chief marketing officer of Five9. “If you ignore or hide that part, how can you leave personal sides out? Engage your family with your work, be vulnerable.”

And speak up. Dr. Murphy says, “When another person makes a comment or flippant sexist remark, realize it’s the other person who needs to think differently.”

“@GenefaMurphy, CMO of @Five9 says, “When another person makes a comment or flippant #sexist remark, realize it’s the other person who needs to think differently.””

Shandra Richardson, senior operations officer, SVP, Greenfield Savings Bank, shares that her 16-year career in banking had a difficult start.  

“I was not invited to meetings. Chairs were on the outside, and I could not sit at the table,” Richardson says. “Then a colleague said, ‘You belong here and are here for a reason, bring a chair to the table.’”

Richardson says, “It is so important as female executive to lead by example. It is ok to take care of yourself and take the time to encourage that in your company because it will help the next generation of women.”

“Richardson says, “It is so important as #femaleexecutive to lead by example. It is ok to take care of yourself and take the time to encourage that in your company because it will help the next generation of #women.””

Diane Acevedo, senior vice president of operations at Gabb Wireless, says the company has 280 employees, with 175 in her department.

“I have pivoted into being able to understand my team to reduce attrition and mitigate churn. I offer communication and a place of safety,” Acevedo says, “When you build teams, you build with different skill sets in race, gender, skills.”

Acevedo adds, “All you need is 10 seconds of bravery to make a breakthrough. The more you stay in your own truth, you become your best self.” She says, “May we be the change we want to be. May we be our own allies and each others’ allies.”

“Acevedo adds, “All you need is 10 seconds of bravery to make a breakthrough. The more you stay in your own truth, you become your best self.” #authenticity #leadership”

As a 1st generation student, and the only one in her family to go to college, Acevedo started earning her MBA at 34 years old, with four children. “I had to recreate who I was,” she says. “You are in control of your future, go do better and be better.”

Stephanie Flint, vice president of training and client solutions at ResultsCX, shares the power of using her voice.  

“I am Black and we are told and programmed not to act Black,” Flint says. “I have been told I am too forceful, aggressive. My passion can be misconstrued as that is not ladylike.”

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Flint continues, “It wasn’t until recently I felt like I had a voice.” It is important, she says, “To learn how to navigate and communicate what you are passionate about. Listen to your gut. Understand what the status quo is and then kill the status quo.”

““Understand what the status quo is and then kill the status quo.” — Stephanie Flint. #leadershipadvice #blackwomenlead”

Annie Weckesser, CMO, Uniphore, says it is critical to use your voice and to be true to yourself.

“A lot of us have found our voice later in life,” Weckesser says. “The traditional notion of power is there was a power code that looked different and we needed to change the perception of what power looked like. That is authenticity, listening, which is very different from what we were taught.”

Fabiola Correra-Stimeling, vice president of client experience at Northwestern Mutual, advises, “Change happens when we pay attention. Exist loudly and keep a brag book.”

Anita Harris, associate director of Customer Experience, Broad River Retail, says generosity as a leader is key. “When you give a little, you get a lot back.”

“Anita Harris, associate director of Customer Experience, Broad River Retail, says #generosity as a #leader is key. “When you give a little, you get a lot back.” ”

Tara Rosa, senior vice president of voice and interaction platforms at Associated Bank, says, “When you are self-aware, your voice can be loud. I show up and I’m real as I can be.”

As Ko says, “We are making progress, it is shifting, there are more women in leadership roles. If you have an advisory board at work, talk to them about your ideas. Don’t be afraid to go for things.”

Leadership Takeaway of The Week:

“There is power in connecting outside of your wheelhouse.”

Sandy Ko, founder and principal of Customer Contact Women