Every month we ask an emerging leader we admire to share what she is doing to take the lead in her career. We invite her to share how she achieved her current position, what obstacles she encountered on her climb, as well as tips for how to be a rising woman of influence.

This month we shine the Emerging Leader Spotlight on Mindy Seiffert, who is a Director with Open Gates Group as well as Co-owner of MT Endeavors.

Favorite Quote:

”I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself—that is the best combination.”—Dame Judi Dench

Why did you choose your current career path?

Ironically, I don’t always feel like I have purposely chosen my current career path.  Instead, in many ways, I feel like it has chosen me.  My pre-disposition is on the execution side of things—you know, I am a doer, I like to get things done! I actually do not have a strong internal drive to be a manager but I currently have quite a few direct reports across different businesses and functional departments.  The one thing that does appeal to me about my current career path is the variety and new opportunities/challenges.  These are key things that I know bring me satisfaction.

What is your leadership style?

I describe my leadership style as authentic.  It doesn’t matter what situation I am in—a difficult employee conversation, a presentation with an executive team, or an important sales call with a key customer—I am me and I am comfortable with that.  Others say I am a confident, collaborative, and use a common sense approach that encourages participation and individual growth.  And most importantly, I never take myself too seriously.  I can laugh at my own mistakes and quirks and I encourage others to do so, as well.  We are all just humans and on the same crazy journey we call life.

What steps are you currently taking to develop yourself, professionally?

One of the things that I am passionate about is continuous learning. We can all take risks and try new things in order to grow and learn.  That is one major way that I always develop myself.  I have opened businesses, taken on new roles and responsibilities, and led projects where I was not a technical expert.  Every single one of these things have been beneficial for my career.  I do a lot of reading as well—business books and industry blog articles help me stay on top of trends and incorporate new learning into everyday activities.

An incredibly important thing that I learned later in my career is that I have to take time for myself and rejuvenate.  For me, this means almost daily exercise, a couple of vacations per year, and regular activities with friends who bring me joy.  This may not necessarily seem like development but in my mind, it is.

What are some top tips you can recommend to other women who want to be recognized as high-potential emerging leaders?

I have some great tips for other woman who want to be recognized as a high-potential emerging leaders!

• Ask for feedback. This allows you to know what others see as your strengths and areas of development.

• Be confident. It is hard to be a leader of others if you aren’t confident in your own skills and abilities.  Your own self-esteem is the first thing to address.

• Volunteer for job assignments that will help you grow your skill set. Offer to manage a project, fill in for an open position until it is filled, or offer to help your teammates with assignments.  All of these things will not only help your development but also improve your relationships with others around you.

•Be you. Embrace who you are and leverage those unique things that make you who you are.  We are all different and each of us has something special to contribute.

Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn.