Emerging Leader Spotlight: Heather Broeder

“It is more important to be right with others, than to be right.” 

- Heather Broeder.

Name: Heather Broeder
Company: Wood Group Mustang
Current title: Global Engineering – Initiatives Manager
Favorite quote: God created the world out of nothing; so as long as we are nothing, he can make something out of us. (Martin Luther)

What is the most important thing you have learned that has been critical to your career success?
It is more important to be right with others, than to be right. I work in a technical organization with extremely smart people. Unfortunately, many meetings result in frustration because too many people are determined to be right. There are multiple “right answers”; what’s best? How can we collaborate? If we demand to be right, we can harm a relationship or slow down the process of building trust. Be willing to lay aside your “rightness” for the sake of developing a relationship. Note – do not compromise safety or ethics – these areas are exceptions!
 

“There is little reward in a completed to-do list or plan if you didn’t influence people along the way, leaving a positive mark and giving others a chance to grow.”

What is your leadership style? 
Servant leadership is essential for finding satisfaction and fulfillment in your career. Servant leadership is leading by serving; it means putting the success of the team ahead of personal success and using your gifts to support and empower others in their endeavors.

Looking back over my 16 years with Wood Group Mustang, I have had many good examples of servant leadership to emulate. I would not have been given the opportunities and challenging assignments if I hadn’t embraced this leadership philosophy. It’s very easy to create a to-do list or a plan and then maniacally try to race through each task ; however, there is little reward in a completed to-do list or plan if you didn’t influence people along the way, leaving a positive mark and giving others a chance to grow.

What tools or resources have you used that have been crucial to your success?
I do enjoy (and rely on) reading leadership books by authors like John C. Maxwell, Kouzes and Posner, etc.
Also, I consider my informal mentors at work a strong resource for growth and development. These are people who will constructively point out better ways to communicate or collaborate and also supply enthusiasm and encouragement in the midst of challenges.

“Volunteer for everything that interests you.”

What are some top tips you can recommend to other women who want to be recognized as a high potential emerging leader?
Volunteer for everything that interests you. If you have passion around a topic, step up, raise your hand, and get involved. 

You can demonstrate so many essential skills (organization, communication, negotiation, planning, writing, etc.) by way of this type of extracurricular involvement. Don’t wait for someone to ask you to do something; start meeting needs that you see in your organization. Should someone organize a new hire orientation? Is there a need for a mentoring program? Are you bothered that there’s no recycling program in place? Take the initiative; communicate; involve others; give credit; accept responsibility; celebrate success.