The Tenacity to Build Trust with Emma Hodsdon

Learn from Emma Hodsdon, a program manager and international leader who has held roles in Communications, Business Operations, Program Management and as a Chief of Staff during her career. Emma has worked in both Australia and the United States, and with teams around the globe. She spent 17 years working for The Boeing Company - where she realized her superpower of being a dot connector and big picture thinker. Emma is currently a program manager at Atlassian, based in Sydney, Australia. She spends her free time going on adventures with her 5-year-old son.

Join Seasons Leadership Co-Founders Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland as they talk to Emma about tenacity, saying yes to opportunities, finding your tribe and women supporting women in leadership.
 
Show notes
Emma starts the discussion (1:36) defining leadership. She shares a story about helping other leaders (2:30) and gives advice on how to build relationships with important people. Emma talks about providing candid feedback (3:20) and helping others see their potential. The leaders discuss the role of influence (4:36).

Leadership presence
Emma discusses the challenges of leading early in your career (6:01) with the leaders agreeing it takes fortitude and courage (8:09). Emma relates a success story that started out being less successful (8:27) and having the tenacity to never give up building trust. Emma hints at the animal that inspired her (10:00) and talks about traveling to America for the first time alone at 15.
 
 Defining success
The leaders talk about defining success at different times in your career (11:09). Emma believes success is related to the level of satisfaction you feel at the end of each day and shares how going forward (12:21) success is about a work life blend now that she has her son (13:40). Emma shares a metaphor about a hallway and being pulled into different opportunities (14:33) and how her career was not a single track (21:35).

SHOW BREAK (21:47) Coaching with Seasons Leadership

Final thoughts
(23:17) The show continues with Emma talking about changing companies (23:17) and finding her new tribe. She gives advice on asking for help (24:05) and discovering what gives you energy (25:15). The leaders discuss having a song for the season (29:13) and Emma relates a funny story about her “belonging song.” Emma gives advice on how to be successful (32:47) and emphasizes the importance of women supporting women (33:44). (35:25) Susan and Debbie discuss takeaways from their discussion with Emma.