GET TO KNOW...
On the lighter side of things, we ask the
industry experts what makes them tick. . . .
Tanya Long,
CEO of Argility.
W
What would you describe as your
most memorable achievement? What first made you think of a
career in technology?
While there are many projects that
stand out for me as having a positive
impact, I would say my most memorable
achievement is the leadership roles to
which I have been appointed to in my
career. When I commenced working in
the technology world, there were very few
women in management roles. In my youth
I was driven towards success and thought
that I had to show up and compete with
my male colleagues in their ‘game’ to get a
seat at the table. My father. He knew someone who was doing
‘great’ things in computers. So I did what
any teenage girl would do, I rebelled and
went backpacking. During this time I did temp
work overseas, and got thrown a job where
I had to work on a Wang PC. It frustrated
me so much, that I signed up for a course
to master it and loved it. Then as soon as I
I wore pin striped suits and tried to do things
better on what was considered the norm
for a tech leader. This honestly caused
stress, as being something that you are not
takes excess energy. There came a point
in time, where close to burnout, I realised
that regardless of the levels of success,
if you compromise yourself trying to be
something that you’re not, then the journey
is meaningless. I re-evaluated my life, owned
my femininity, and decided to become a
leader who brings all of these strengths to the
role – even if they were not outlined in the
traditional job description – and structured
my work to have time for my family and
passions. I much prefer the leader that I am
today and I’m sure my colleagues also do,
by being true to myself, showing vulnerability
and compassion and knowing that just
because you’re wearing a floral dress doesn’t
signify that you don’t expect results.
www.intelligentcio.com
“
arrived home I sent myself on a programming
and networking course. Needless to say, there
were many Christmas lunches that contained
a few ‘I told you so’s’.
What style of management
philosophy do you employ with your
current position?
I am for servant leadership and a coaching
or motivational management style.
THE ULTIMATE
GOAL IS, OF
COURSE, THE
DIGITISATION
OF THE VALUE
CHAINS AND
PROVIDING A
PERSONALISED
CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE WITH
FRICTIONLESS
SERVICE.
INTELLIGENTCIO
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