Anne Sheehan became Director of Vodafone Business UK in 2017. She says being at the top can be pressurised and lonely. Here's what helps
Anne Sheehan joined IBM on a graduate scheme. For 14 years, she worked in a variety of roles in the business in Ireland and the Nordic region. In 2013, she joinedIreland and became Director of Vodafone Business UK in 2017. Here she shares what she's learned so far.
AT SCHOOL, I WANTED TO BE A DENTIST, BUT THE CAREERS ADVISER TOLD ME THAT WAS A JOB FOR BOYS. She turned me away from the career although, in hindsight, I’m not sure I would have made the best dentist. Instead, I did business studies at university before joining IBM Ireland in 1999.MY FIRST ROLE WAS IN MARKETING, BUT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS SOFTWARE. All the leaders I reported to were male but they really took a chance on me.
IN 2012, I LEFT IRELAND TO BECOME VICE PRESIDENT OF GENERAL BUSINESS IN IBM’S NORDIC REGION. I was managing the company across four very different countries, which was challenging at times. I told myself there was a reason I was picked for that role, so I took my drive and strategies with me and worked them into the culture for the Nordic market.I HAD BEEN AT IBM FOR 14 YEARS WHEN I WAS OFFERED A ROLE AT VODAFONE IRELAND IN 2013.
BEING AT THE TOP OF AN ORGANISATION CAN BE LONELY. You’re almost in a club of one, not in the pack that goes for lunch together. There’s also pressure to perform, but I surround myself with people who know more about their area than I do; then I know my team is the best in the business.VODAFONE WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 50 EMPLOYERS FOR WOMEN AND I SEE THIS REFLECTED DAY TO DAY.
I MANAGE MY OWN BALANCE WITH TECHNOLOGY. Monday to Friday, I work in London while Adam, who is now 11, and my husband Rob are in Ireland. We FaceTime every morning and evening, so I can help Adam with homework and say goodnight. On parents’ evenings, Rob takes an iPad so I can be there to speak to Adam’s teachers. It’s not for everyone, but it works for our family.LOOKING BACK, THERE WERE TIMES I COULD HAVE BEEN LESS CRITICAL OF MYSELF.
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