140: Grow to VP - Female Executive Journey to the Top with Megan Ford | Vice President of Engineering at Freeosk

  What does it take to be an effective engineering executive? How can women in engineering overcome adversity to reach VP level positions? Is delivering top performance enough to make it to the top?   Listen now for these answers and more!   ============================   When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help you build your engineering career:   1. Engineering Career Accelerator™️ Scorecard … foundational development actions and key points you can check, score, and apply immediately to stand out and excel at work.   2. Join us at Happy Hour … a limited-attendance LIVE monthly workshop where we dig deep into career growth strategies and provide 1:1 open coaching for you at the end of the session.   3. Work with me directly … start with a free chat and ensure it’s a great fit, then work with me and my team privately in our intensive coaching program, exclusively for engineers.   ============================   In this episode, meet the VP of Engineering at Freeosk, Megan Ford.    Now a female engineering executive, her career path was a winding road and ups, downs and lots of challenges. But she held on to a core belief that you must keep an open mind, ask lots of questions, and be willing to make decisions.     Megan shares how self doubt can be really loud when facing a big transition, and you suddenly feel like you have to learn everything all over again. You might also be surprised to hear that Megan, a top performer, was let go.    That was something she never expected to face in her career. But it happens and it is 1000% ok.    We dig into the reality of career building: Not every job, role, boss, is going to be a good fit. Reflect and move on.   And if you’re a woman in engineering, this conversation will be doubly encouraging.    Megan loves the outdoors as everything is better outside, and coffee, because everything is better with coffee also.   So press play and let’s chat… the path for your career growth begins now!   ============================   HAPPY ENGINEER COMMUNITY LINKS:   > Full Show Notes, Resources, & More   > Join our Facebook Group! Get access to bonus content and live coaching as growth-minded leaders build careers together.   ============================   WANT MORE AMAZING GUESTS?   “I love Zach and these amazing guests on The Happy Engineer Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider following, rating and reviewing the show!    I know it’s a huge favor to ask, but when you follow, leave a 5-star rating, and add an honest review of how these episodes are helping you… it’s a massive benefit for getting the attention of powerhouse guests on this show.    On Apple Podcasts, click our show, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with 5-stars, and select “Write a Review.”   Thank you so much.    ============================   Connect with your host, Zach White:   LinkedIn (primary) Instagram Facebook YouTube  

Om Podcasten

The Happy Engineer helps engineering leaders reach the next level without suffering burnout - because success without fulfillment is failure. You will discover how to redefine work/life balance and lead with purpose, while accelerating your next promotion. Bring a growth mindset, engineers... It's time for personal development before technical development, emotional intelligence (EQ) before IQ, and coaching to crush your comfort zone! If you find yourself asking questions like these, then this show is for you: * How do I decide between a technical career path or management? Can I ever go back? * How do I reignite passion and purpose in my engineering career (or just stop dreading Monday)? * Why am I not getting promoted to Manager / Director / VP (and my peers are)? * How can I increase my salary and total compensation faster? * What should I do if I want to change discipline, industry, or even leave engineering? * What does it take to move from engineering to entrepreneurship? * WHY AM I SO UNHAPPY??? Your host, Zach White, knows how frustrating building your engineering career can be. As an engineer himself, he climbed the corporate ladder. He's seen (and survived) it all. He's felt stuck, been burned out from 80-hour weeks, suffered under a bad boss, and had his career plan thwarted multiple times by corporate reorgs. You know the worst part? He lived below his full potential. Ultimately Zach found incredible success in his career, but it was not without trials, failure, and a rock-bottom experience with burnout. Each week, the former engineering leader, now turned CEO and sought-after Lifestyle Engineering Coach, will help you create an action plan to level up your career while designing a life you love. Enjoy inspiring conversations with experts from all corners of industry and life. Learn how to overcome any career obstacle you face. Get off the road to burnout. Build your career. Balance your life. BE HAPPY!