Amanda Lin - From Silicon Valley to Silicon Allee: How I Found My Groove

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From Silicon Valley to Berlin: Embracing Diversity and Superpowers in Leadership

Hi, I am Amanda, a senior product manager at Chaco, a Berlin-based startup focused on creating a sustainable food system. Today, I am excited to share my journey from Silicon Valley to Silicon L.A., i.e., Berlin, and how I found my groove as a leader in unconventional environments.

Breaking the Mold: My Leadership Journey

My journey to leadership began in a small town in New Jersey, as a first-generation American with Taiwanese parents. From a competitive boarding school for high school to earning my bachelor's and master's degrees from Stanford University in Symbolic Systems and Computer Science, the path was not straightforward. I found myself often surrounded and dominated by a single image of male leadership in the workforce.

However, I quickly discovered that fitting into this masculine leadership mold was not for me. Instead, I found strength in my differences - a realization I owe to my mentors. It was these differences that enabled me to not just fit in, but become a truly effective leader.

Three Key Learnings in My Leadership Journey

  1. Finding superpowers in our differences: Your distinct characteristics and experiences are what make you, you. Embrace these and leverage them to do your best work.
  2. Navigating the system successfully: Ours may not be a perfect system, but learn to use your unique qualities to flourish within its confines.
  3. Holding companies accountable: Businesses need to walk the talk in creating a more equitable and diverse working environment.

Making My Differences, My Superpowers

Throughout my life, I've grappled with being different - from being an Asian in America to being a female voice in tech leadership. Along the way, I discovered that these "differences" are exactly what make me a robust leader.

My different culture taught me to value diversity of thought, an inclusive atmosphere, and a heightened sense of empathy - all necessary components for successful product management. Showing vulnerability, contrary to the common belief, did not weaken my leadership but fortified and inspired deeper connections.

Navigating the System with My Superpowers

Learning to leverage your unique attributes to navigate the professional world is pivotal to succeeding within the system. This journey involves building a cohesive team, maintaining open communication, optimizing my working style, and finding parts of the system that work for you.

It's crucial to remember that one-size-does-not-fit-all when it comes to work environments. Sometimes, you need to be true to yourself and move away from something, even if that means journeying into the unknown.

Holding Companies Accountable: Aligning Personal and Professional Values

Choosing a company that aligns with your values is key to creating a positive and impactful work life. Holding companies accountable for living their values and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is an essential step in creating change within the business world.

At Chaco, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion is not only recognized but also put into action. The understanding that an inclusive environment and the upliftment of diverse voices is an asset has been empowering and rewarding for me.

The Future of Leadership: Embracing Diversity and Superpowers

In conclusion, I challenge you to broaden your definitions of successful leadership. Celebrate your unique attributes, learn to navigate within our current system, and hold your companies accountable. Embrace your differences and hone in on your superpowers, to find your groove and create your unique model for success.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to seeing how you create your own leadership story.


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