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In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Cynthia Tee, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Smartsheet. With a career spanning over two decades, Cynthia shares her leadership journey from engineering roles at Microsoft and Nordstrom to serving as Executive Director of the nonprofit, Ada Developers Academy. Now leading a global team of over 530 engineers, she reflects on how curiosity drives innovation and collaboration across Smartsheet’s remote-first organization. Cynthia discusses how Smartsheet’s culture of alignment and openness fosters growth while integrating diverse perspectives from global acquisitions.
Cynthia highlights the challenges and rewards of practicing curiosity, particularly during times of conflict or change. She shares insights from her experience with mergers and acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of building trust and cross-pollinating ideas to create cohesive teams. Cynthia also explores how curiosity enables leaders to navigate blind spots, make informed decisions, and balance urgency with thoughtful collaboration. Her unique perspective, shaped by her diverse roles in tech and nonprofit sectors, underscores the importance of empathy and adaptability in leadership.
As an advocate for continuous learning, Cynthia offers practical advice on fostering curiosity in engineering teams, from scenario-based recruiting to encouraging reflective practices like learning from mistakes. She also recommends the book Think Again by Adam Grant, which inspires readers to challenge assumptions and stay open to new ideas. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, and creating a culture where curiosity thrives.
Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
- Website:https://curiositybased.com/
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/
Connect with Cynthia Tee:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiatee
#CynthiaTee #Smartsheet #CuriosityAtWork #EngineeringLeadership #RemoteWork #Innovation #TeamCollaboration #Leadership #ContinuousLearning
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