EP. 7 How to Demonstrate Empathy, with Cindy Zhou, LogRhythm

Cindy Zhou, Chief Marketing Officer at LogRhythm, is based in Boulder, Colorado, and leads a team around the globe. Cindy led teams as an executive at IBM and has worked with startups. Cindy talks about utilizing the principles of Agile by having a daily standup and doing a lot of skip-level one-on-ones. Through Cindy's interview, you'll find how to be a more connected, trusting, and vulnerable leader as you lead your “team from anywhere."Great Quotes from this episode:“Our company is no company without our people in it.”“Just taking a moment to ask people how they are doing is more important than ever” -Take-AwaysEmpathyWith an empathy-first leadership philosophy, leaders take time to understand what their team is going through and try to alleviate fear as much as they can. Characteristics of Empathy Be Genuine, Care about your team, Great desire to make your team proud Want what’s best for the team. Think about how you can be a better leader for your team so that your team sees career progression and a solid future at your organization by offering possible routes for the future, and possible learning opportunities.The Great Responsibility of a C-Suite LeaderRemember that moving up to the C-Suite isn’t just a sign of career progression, it’s a responsibility you carry with people’s livelihoods on your shoulders.  Every leader should never take that for granted. Agile MarketingCMO Tips:Employ agile marketing methodology in the organization. Daily standup with Team (what did you do yesterday, what are you focused on, roadblocks)People can't get better if you don't give feedback. On the flip side of that is how do you receive feedback (radical candor)?One-On-One/Daily Standup MeetingsOpen up your one on ones with how that person on your team is doing physically and mentally. How’s your family? How are your loved ones?Focus on building trust through transparency and vulnerability in your communication.Be open about personal challenges, your own personal life situations, and life stories.Helps you be visible and have a strong leadership presence. A consistent thread of communication on a daily basisOrganizational Culture:Book ClubsLearning opportunities for future leaders. Giving back to the community – employees do charitable volunteer work, donating to charity, Bike builds for underprivileged kidsMeeting with A New Team as a New LeaderSpeak with every single person one on one What’s working What’s not working Career aspirations What will you promise?To be transparent? To trust? To always be open? To share your thinking behind every decision that you make even if someone doesn’t agree? To consider every team member and the team as a whole when making decisions?Benefits of this conversation as a new leader: The team is comfortable and confident in what they are doing Their work matters Takes time, yes, but pays off in dividends over time. Prioritize one-on-one meetings over other kinds of meetings because your team is your first priority. Links Mentioned: Radical CandorAgile MarketingAudio Credit: Show Me the Way, Vendredi  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.