Episode Title: Take That Risk
Release Date: October 20
Host: Holly McIlwain
Guest: Renee DeMay
Episode Summary:
In this empowering episode of the NarrowSpaces Show, titled "Take That Risk," host Holly sits down with Renee DeMay, a distinguished global leader with over 30 years of experience in go-to-market strategies, operations, and business optimization. Throughout the episode, Renee shares her brave, strong, and daring attitude towards risks, illustrating how her willingness to step outside her comfort zone has shaped her professional roadmap. From smaller private companies to executive roles at renowned technology firms like PTC and ANSYS, she has led critical projects, including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing her tremendous empathy, leadership capacity, and tenacity.
Renee discusses her deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as her passion for nurturing the next generation of leaders is evident in her work. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of emotional currency, consistent communication, and personal growth in navigating the narrow spaces of work and life.
In addition to her corporate achievements, she serves on the Penn State University Alumni Association Council and the board of directors at the South Hills Interfaith Movement, further demonstrating her dedication to community and leadership development.
Tune in to this episode to discover how taking risks can lead to profound personal and professional growth, and learn valuable insights from Renee DeMay's inspiring journey!
Connect with Renee:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-demay-833a74/
Key Takeaways:
Navigating Career Transitions: Renee reflects on her career path, highlighting that there was no set plan but rather an openness to seizing opportunities as they arose. She shares how saying no to certain roles can sometimes be just as important as saying yes.
The Importance of Self-Awareness: Over the years, Renee has learned the value of self-reflection and understanding her own limits. She emphasizes the need for leaders to show up authentically and to recognize how their presence impacts their teams.
Building Emotional Currency: Consistency in communication and actions is vital for fostering trust within teams. Renee discusses the practices she implemented to maintain engagement and morale, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.
Work-Life Integration: Renee advocates for a holistic approach to work and life, encouraging leaders to create environments where employees feel supported and empowered to take time for themselves when needed.
Focus on What You Can Control: In times of uncertainty, Renee advises narrowing your focus to what you can control, allowing for better clarity and decision-making.