Throughout the month of March, NTC is celebrating Women’s History Month. We are proud to have exemplary female leaders and contributors within NTC and recognize the value their diverse knowledge and backgrounds contribute to the success of our organization.
Read the full interviews below.
Shelby Beard, HR Benefits Manager NTC, a Covius Solution
1. Why is female leadership important to an organization?
Having female leaders in the workplace creates a more positive environment because we have different perspectives and experiences and offer diverse ideas.
2. What top characteristics do you think make a leader?
Being self-aware, approachable and modeling from experience how to be the most efficacious.
3. How has your company supported you as a female leader?
NTC has supported me as a female leader by seeing my potential, giving me multiple opportunities to grow and the chance to prove my capabilities.
4. How do you lead and how has this helped others?
I lead by being strong-minded, understanding, patient and protective of my team and NTC’s employees. This has helped others by reassuring them they can trust me; that I want to help them with as much as I can and understanding that we are all human beings with the same desire to be successful in our roles within the company.
5. How did your career path lead you to your current accomplishments?
I have had several strong successful female mentors since joining NTC. They were there to coach me, support me and help mold me into the leader I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the female support and leadership at NTC.
Chelsea Seguin, AVP File Services NTC, a Covius Solution
1. Why is female leadership important to an organization?
Diversifying your leadership team with female talent brings more perspective, ideas and solutions to the table.
2. What top characteristics do you think make a leader?
A strong leader must lead with confidence, honesty, accountability, care and humility. .
3. How has your company supported you as a female leader?
From the minute NTC offered me a leadership role, I’ve been well supported by my peers and other leaders. They have granted me autonomy to use my strengths and abilities while pushing me to grow into my opportunities. NTC has sent me to some inspiring events for women in leadership such as the Sharp Heels Summit and the Women of Influence Luncheon. I’ve been nominated for the HousingWire Rising Star award and featured in Tampa Bay Metro’s Inspiring Women in Business issue. .
4. How do you lead and how has this helped others?
I like to motivate others by finding out what everyone wants to gain out of their time at NTC. Understanding their goals helps me to guide and coach them to their version of success. .
5. How did your career path lead you to your current accomplishments?
Early on in my career at NTC, I applied for a promotion that landed me outside of my comfort zone in File Services. It was a brand-new division and there was a lot of work to be done. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Leading in a division that was not fully established forced me to exercise creativity, discipline, organization and learn new skills that were essential to my viability.
Maddie Williamson, Director of Quality Standards NTC, a Covius Solution
1. Why is female leadership important to an organization?
Women in leadership roles are integral in providing creative, unique perspectives and novel concepts that can forever change an organization. .
2. What top characteristics do you think make a leader?
I hold fast to the idea that leadership is not the ability of one person to make all the decisions and take all the actions that lead a business to success. Instead, it is the result of a collaborative effort among an authentic leadership team. The ability to influence others is a fine line that combines an ability to build trust, motivate others and introduce useful ideas at the right time, in the right way. .
3. How has your company supported you as a female leader?
I feel that NTC has provided me with rapid growth opportunities that have developed into positions of leadership from the moment I walked in the door. I also have an opportunity to be part of an ever-changing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion environment and I look forward to doing my part to improve upon this endeavor. .
4. How do you lead and how has this helped others?
I aspire to be the type of leader that will be known for her authenticity and straightforward way of dealing with others, cultivating trust and respect not only from inside my department but beyond. I also strive to be a leader that is self-aware of my own strengths and weaknesses, working to leverage both where possible. .
5. How did your career path lead you to your current accomplishments?
I have had a very diverse career path including a 15-year period of being a stay-at-home mom. I don’t credit any particular piece of that path as leading to my current accomplishments. All of the experiences, challenges and rewards have collectively shaped me into what I hope is a patient, yet driven, leader who is always happy to learn from and collaborate with other departments and divisions towards common goals.
Jennifer Zak, Director of Order Completion NTC, a Covius Solution
1.Why is female leadership important to an organization?
Female leadership is important to an organization because women bring different skills and perspectives to the table thanks to their cultural differences, viewpoints and experiences. This could ultimately lead to new ideas, or even better decision-making throughout the organization. .
Female leadership also plays an important role within an organization by showing future female leaders their potentials and possibilities. This shows them that they shouldn’t hold themselves back for fear of not being considered.
2. What top characteristics do you think make a leader?
Decision-making: A leader should be able to weigh the pros and cons of any situation and make judgments or decisions not only for themselves, but also on behalf of other employees or departments.
The ability to motivate: A leader provides motivation for team members to want to strive to do better and excel.
The ability to teach: A leader should be able to either teach a skill or provide guidance/mentorship to others that fosters efficiency.
Communication: Great communication that is consistent and concise is effective at obtaining information as well as giving clear direction.
3. How has your company supported you as a female leader?
NTC has supported me as a female leader by giving me the tools and education needed to not only learn and move up within the company, but to also be successful within my own position. As a female in an executive role, my ideas and suggestions have been considered and implemented throughout production handling and organizational structure. NTC has demonstrated that they appreciate and value their female executives.
4. How do you lead and how has this helped others?
My style of leadership is through teaching, guidance and encouragement. I feel that whether employees are on production or in another style of supervisor/leader role, they become more motivated when they learn something new or have a better understanding. This also increases their confidence when they are able to take the knowledge or experience and help others.
5. How did your career path lead you to your current accomplishments?
Each position I have had with NTC has taught me new skills that I have built upon. In addition, being fully trained in multiple areas helped me piece together the production and service lines of NTC which cultivated deeper subject matter knowledge that I have been able to share with other employees.