Last month, we introduced a new blog series: Pass the Mic, where we ask a Bae to share her or his story. As we wrap up a truly unique Women’s History Month (Pandemic Version part deux), we have asked two amazing leaders to share their perspectives on their personal journeys, glass ceilings, and reflections on what inspires them this Women’s History Month.
This week, we have asked Joy Baer, an incredible leader who built technology companies, to share her story. And, as engineers often do, she took our request literally for Women’s History Month and provides insights into a historical figure that has impacted how she approaches leadership.
We know you’ll enjoy not only her reflection – but the book recommendation too! (Book club to follow, anyone?
Women Who Made History GREAT
Reflections on Leadership and Catherine the Great by Joy Baer
During Women’s History Month, I reflect on a favorite woman – Catherine The Great – the tsarina who ruled Russia for 30+ years in the late 1700s. As a professional, Catherine was famous for advancing the culture of Russia. She is revered along with Peter the Great as rulers that towered in ability and achievement over any others during the Romanov dynasty.
After reading Robert Massie’s wonderful biography of her (Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman), I adopted her as my favorite historical role-model. While her personal life read like a soap opera – she suffered; made mistakes; was vulnerable; got angry; fell in love – she was an accomplished professional with all the warmth, flaws, and insecurities of any woman. Reflecting on my career, I can relate to her challenges and the paths she took to overcome them.
As a young woman in technology, I was sometimes “out of place”. Whether I was the only woman in the room, not taken seriously, or bulldozing problems without regard for the mess I’d made, I knew I was different. I learned the hard way to lay the groundwork for my viewpoint before the meeting, not during it. I believed that sheer will and solid arguments would drive outcomes the business needed. Who knew that sometimes you had to hold your tongue, play well with others and make it someone else’s idea to move ahead?
Catherine’s early reign was challenging for her too. She was idealistic, ambitious, and wanted more for her country than was possible. Even with unlimited power, she learned that consultation and advice were key ingredients to success. The importance of collaboration, mentorship, and transparency in dealings with clients and colleagues is a hard-earned aspect of leadership that I work at daily.
Later in my career, I was guided by words from my mother when I babysat as a teenager. “Always leave the place in better shape than you found it.” This was a tall order after watching our former president, John Shelton, grow the business into a successful ad-tech company, thriving profitably for 10+ years as a subsidiary of Comcast.
When John retired and I took over as president, what would I do to leave Strata better than I found it? Reflecting on Catherine again; she carried Peter the Great’s legacy forward. Peter is known for opening a “window on the West” on the Baltic, building a Russian navy, and establishing St. Petersburg as Russia’s new capital. Catherine opened another window, where the Black Sea, Sebastopol, and Odessa were its treasures. He brought technology and governance to Russia. She brought the arts, medicine, schools, and orphanages. Peter made Russia a superpower and Catherine magnified that power and advanced the nation’s culture.
A great realization of my career was I didn’t need to do something so unique to leave Strata better than I found it. By just being me, I could carry on a great legacy and realize a job well-done. As a woman, I see the world differently and imagine a future that is different from the men who preceded me. As president, I prioritized opportunities that others didn’t and created outcomes that became the roadmap of our success.
This month is a chance to reflect on the great women before and around us – to learn from their mistakes and validate our efforts with their stories. If you don’t have a historical role model yet, consider adopting one that speaks to you – or maybe you’ll share Catherine the Great with me?!
Joy