who-are-we-becomings - where boundaries dissolve

Becoming The Best Versions of Ourselves. And Why It Matters

“People have what it takes to respond to challenges and crisis. They can lead without being directed”, Barbara Humpton, CEO Siemens USA, says. She fell ill when the pandemic hit, but her team felt empowered to respond–employees and customers were taken care of. She shares her #momentsofgrowth, and detaching from the ego. Her stories illustrate the type of mindset and leadership style that we need to tackle our most pressing global challenges.

Barbara Humpton is President and CEO of Siemens Corporation, where she guides the company’s strategy and engagement in serving the company’s largest market. Siemens USA employs approximately 40,000 people serving customers in the USA and generated $17 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2020. She views the true purpose of technology as expanding what’s humanly possible. She’s also passionate about diversity, STEM education and what she calls a worklife blend that honors her priorities both at Siemens and as a grandmother.

Episode #20 In A Nutshell

“It’s not about what we have, it’s about what we do” Barbara says. She works towards becoming the best version of herself. Her growth mindset allows for a company culture of empowerment that advances electrification, automation, digitalization and sustainability. The key lies in how you view your role as a leader and that of your people–not as mere resources, but as individuals who can grow as well.

Here are my top take aways on personal growth to foster the best version of ourselves:

Know your strengths and that of your team–learn to rely on and trust your experts. You have to give trust to build it.
Uncover your subconscious biases to enable inclusiveness in diverse teams. You want people to feel like they belong, feel comfortable speaking up, and bring their full selves to work.
Keep your ego in check: Where are you engaging in someone’s process or someone’s business? Where are you undermining someone’s ownership?

I hope you enjoy!

Connect with us:

Barbara on Linkedin

Me, Helena, on Linkedin or Instagram