Jessica Wan, Featured Leader
Posted on Wed, Feb 10, 2010 @ 06:02 PM
Future Women Leaders recently had the opportunity to chat with Jessica Wan, former FWL officer and currently a student at Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Jessica is this month's featured leader!
:: Tell me a bit about your background.
I'm originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and also grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I headed out west to attend Stanford University for my undergraduate studies, where I double-majored in Product Design (a multidisciplinary blend of mechanical engineering and art) and Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. I've always enjoyed having diverse interests and hobbies in my life, and this really showed in college when I would be in the machine shop by day working on a lathe and singing in an opera at night.
:: Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I had been working for the San Francisco Opera as a marketing manager for three years, and I really enjoyed my job, loved the people I worked with, and admired the company. However, looking at my goals for the next 5-10 years and wanting to give more to my work required a basic level of business knowledge that I didn't yet have. I felt that of all types of companies, nonprofit organizations absolutely had the most to gain from their employees pursuing MBAs. On a personal level, I realized that I needed to learn more about the business world in general and that I wanted to make connections with a diverse set of people outside of my field.
:: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I have faced have been in situations where I didn't have formal power or authority. Being a young professional in mature organization presents both a challenge and opportunity to implement change where it's needed. But getting buy-in from colleagues can be difficult as it may be perceived that the old way was flawed. The way I overcame these types of challenges was through building rapport and trust with colleagues and providing concrete information and data about the change. Also, don't underestimate the amount of time it may take for people to sway in your direction.
:: Tell me about the mentors you have had in your life.
I typically haven't set up formal mentorships with people I see as mentors; my mentors tend to be people whom I very much admire who have gone through the experience that I am going through at the time. For example, I see my voice teacher as an incredible mentor -- she plays multiple roles of teacher, coach, performer, businesswoman, mother, wife, and artist. And through it all, she remains authentic, passionate, and committed. Many of my mentors play many roles in their life, and it is their desire to be so multifaceted that draws me to them.
:: Anything you wish you had known when you were in earlier stages of your career?
Speak up! Negotiate! Don't be seen as over-willing or desperate. These are things I wish someone had told me in the beginning of my career. I think that when you're just starting out in the working world, you are so eager and excited to take on projects and challenges that you end up saying "yes" before you even hear the question. However, there is a fine line between enthusiasm and being taken advantage of. It's great to be excited about work, but just make sure you're truly wanting the opportunities you're seeking -- not just because you're expected to want them.
:: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?
Honesty, empathy, enthusiasm, authenticity, creativity, strong will, and a great listening ear.
:: What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement was to succeed at work, apply for business school, and maintain a peaceful home all while going through the most difficult personal period of my life. I had lost my mom - my best friend - and was going through all the cycles of grief and despair, yet I knew I had to somehow move forward. I continued working, devoted myself to my family, and took on the huge job of applying to grad school. It was the most intense year of my life, but I feel I came out of it a more mature and composed person. After that challenge, I felt I could take on anything.
:: Who inspires you?
Andy Goldsworthy, Placido Domingo, Mohammad Yunus, Jacqueline Novogratz, Barack Obama. My parents, my husband, my in-laws.
:: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?
I really, really like Eleanor Roosevelt's tenet of doing something every day that scares you. I try to live up to this and hope to improve at it. I suppose my own mission statement would be something like "give your all, infuse creativity into your work and play, and let go of doubts and worries." Not as elegant as Eleanor's one-liner, but it works for me!
:: Do you have work/life balance?
At the present moment, I am blessed with incredible work/life balance as an MBA student. I know that will probably change once I move back into the working world, but I yearn to find a compromise such that the line between work and life isn't so defined. I desire a job that fulfills my life and a home life that supports and may even complement my work. My hope is that my life as a whole doesn't need to chunk into specific categories, but can operate as one well-oiled machine.