Leading With My Mind and Heart
Name: John
Job Title: Senior Manager Payments Products
Location: Riverwoods, IL
Pronouns: He/Him
My personal brand
Empathy. A few years ago, everyone on my team took a survey and I was surprised to see this as my top strength. Upon self-reflection, it made sense. Seeking out multiple perspectives and points-of-view in conflict with my own is part of my decision-making process, especially at work.
Learning from every step in the journey
One of the best decisions I ever made was to just to keep going. It’s vague, but I think we’re all presented with hundreds of decisions to make daily, many of which have a clear “path of least resistance” that ultimately doesn’t help us. I think the decision to persist and make ourselves proud of our choice is the best decision any of us can make.
Prior to college, I played bass in a punk band, and we had the opportunity to travel North America and Europe playing shows. It was a fun couple of years, and it really taught me that I’m ultimately accountable for my path in life.
Becoming a father has changed everything for the better. I have two daughters, 8 and 5 years old, and I would say they have taught me just as much, if not more, than I’ve taught them at this point.
The accomplishment I’m most proud of is that many years later, my life and work afford me the opportunity to spend time with my wife and daughters each day, do complex and meaningful work with Discover and HOLA, and continue making music on my own terms.
Perspective is everything
I have tried to avoid assumptions and work hard to understand the fundamentals of whatever role I am in. For example, my current role is in Payment Services so I am making a focused effort to understand the core of payment processing which will enable me to be effective in most scenarios involving payments. As for assumptions, whether its someone’s intent behind a comment or action or even how something works, I’ve come to realize that it is informed by my own perspective and biases. By trying to avoid making these kinds of assumptions and trying to truly understand, I have an opportunity to learn.
I’m working on listening more. My career over the last 12 years or so has been in roles that require me to be subject matter expert and create momentum. With this, I found I’m talking more than listening, which is something I want to improve on. Multiple perspectives and collaboration with folks who have expertise in different areas is a gift. I want to make the most of it.
Being a team player
Product Management requires integrating and coordinating multiple teams and functions, often with competing priorities, to solve a problem. I tend to lean on identifying the common goals of the different teams to get everyone to “row in the same direction.” I feel there is an equal balance of interpersonal and technical skills required to be effective, so I seek strategies and advice from leaders and organizations of all kinds. From memoirs written by prominent sport coaches and educational articles, to coffee chats with my teammates—there is wisdom and advice everywhere. I try to be as open-minded as I can.
Contributing to the future of DEI
DEI means an opportunity to lead with my mind and my heart. I believe we’re wired to form connections and communities, and DEI provides structure and psychological safety to do that.
HOLA gives back in more ways than I can count. Throughout the year, we partner with local charities to support regional charitable efforts, such as toy drives, job fairs, and mentorships.
Hispanic Heritage Month to me is like inviting our neighbors over for dinner. It’s an opportunity to reach and share with our colleagues and community, to simultaneously celebrate our culture, share stories of all kinds, and welcome others into our community.