Monica Batra

As many of you know, Dropbox is virtual-first. Most of the time, we work from home, but we also get together for team off-sites and team building. Recently, I had the opportunity to join my team in San Diego for a "Strengths in the Sun" session. We spent time discussing our Gallup Strengths. My biggest takeaway: Instead of spending a lot of energy on improving your weaknesses, know your team's strengths and surround yourself with those whose strengths complement yours.

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🌟 Meet 1Moore: Seattle's DEI Superhero 🌟 In the bustling tech hub of Seattle, a new superhero emerges, not with a cape, but with the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Meet 1Moore, the advocate our community never knew it needed so dearly. Each day, 1Moore champions for change, ensuring every voice is not only heard but also valued. Whether it's by hosting inclusive workshops, leading brave conversations, or advocating for policy changes within leading corporations, 1Moore moves us one step closer to a truly inclusive society. Why the name 1Moore? Because there's always room for one more perspective, one more story, one more chance to make things right. BTW if you need 2 more solutions you have a problem. Join 1Moore in making Seattle not just a place of technological innovation, but a beacon of inclusive growth. Because when we lift each other up, we all soar higher. #DEISuperhero #InclusionMatters #SeattleLeaders #ChangeMakers #embraceAI #notafraidofAI

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👋 As a Google team member, I've had my fair share of "long time, no see" messages...from total strangers. 😅 💡 If you're sliding into my DMs, let's make it count! Share your intent, spark a conversation, or drop a funny GIF—just don't leave me hanging with a bland Hi/ Hi, How are you? / and the worst- Hi, how you been, long time (especially when I don’t know you) 🙅‍♂️ That's why I'm sharing my top tip: always add value to your message. 🎯 Whether you're reaching out for networking, or collaboration, make your intent crystal clear from the start. 📝 Check out this article I found for some fantastic templates to craft your next LinkedIn message: https://lnkd.in/gGCQ2P6E 💻 And remember, if you're using LinkedIn on your PC or laptop, take advantage of the "Notes" feature to keep track of your conversations. 📝 🔍 Let's spice up our professional networking game with a dash of personality and purpose! 🚀 Hit that follow button and join me on this wild ride of professional networking shenanigans! 🎉 #LinkedIn #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerTips #JobSearch #Communication #ConnectWithPurpose #CareerAdvice #LinkedInTips #NetworkingTips #ProfessionalConnections #Google #Recruitment #JobHunting

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It's the end of June, halfway through the year, so today's #FridayUpdate should reflect this past year. Interestingly enough, today is also the 1st anniversary of Zapier's layoff. I've stayed connected with many of this group as well as other Xapiens. That network has been so incredible on the job hunt and decompressing from the unexpected layoff. Some folks have landed a fantastic position, others have opted to take a career break, and then a few of us are on our second layoff since that date. It's been rough, but without these amazing humans, I wouldn't be in such a positive state of mind. Thank you all! 💜❤️‍🩹 During my 14 weeks at Lucidworks, I accomplished significant results: revamping 2 critical processes, establishing a culture of continuous improvements but finding and completing quick wins, and helping teams with differing delivery processes work better together. 💪🏻✨ Since February, I've stayed focused on what I want to do next, applying only for positions and with companies that align with that: leading process delivery folks and supporting process improvements. That often looks like Engineering Operations Management. While I haven't found my new home yet, I have some irons in the fire. 🔥🤞🏻 In May, I started my own consulting service, E3 Solutions. I'm currently providing Agile Coaching services following an Agile Transformation and helping with program management on a vital project with tight timelines and substantial business impacts. It's been wonderful meeting the incredible IT team. Within a week, one partner said they found their Agile person 🥰🎉 This month, I've been pondering the concept of boundaries. It's one reason I haven't posted in a while. A post on this is coming in July, but I want to do more research and feel comfortable with the level of vulnerability I will be sharing. The first half of this year has been unexpected, but I've learned so much about myself and what my partner and I need to be happy. I'm taking what I have learned into the second half of the year. What reflections do you have on your professional life in 2024 so far? #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #AgileTransformation #EngineeringOps #ConsultingLife #ContinuousImprovement #2024Reflections #JobSearchJourney

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Very sorry to hear about today's #GoogleLayoffs, my heart goes out to those that were impacted. As someone who recently left Google, I can assure you that your skill and talent is actively desired elsewhere! If anyone in my network is actively hiring for Account Directors, Customer Engineers, Solutions Engineers, or Technical Account Managers, feel free to leave a comment to connect with those newly on the market! #techlayoffs #gcp #cloud #tech #googlecloud

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What you are doing is inspiring. I learned so many things in DSA by following your takeuforward Raj Vikramaditya #takeuforward

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I got a job once, with one sentence. OK, I had been through a handful of remote interviews and was flown out to SF for an in-person, including a 12 person panel, so it wasn't just one sentence. But it was. In the panel, a senior manager, well-liked, well-respected, a doer with passion, who would become my direct report, asked directly, after patiently listening to my presentation and slide deck... "What would you suggest we do when we keep reporting the same bugs and they keep not fixing them?" I said something diplomatic, like, "Well, I would want to make sure we were appropriately quantifying the negative impact and scope as well as the upside if it were fixed so they had a quantifiable sense of priority." Then I paused, physically, and I looked him in the eye and said, "But, that said, I would challenge our thinking here. Who is we? And who is they? I'd really insist we start thinking of our customer function AS the company, not a separate entity." It was just an honest reaction, but the executives in the room couldn't help but nod along in approval. Using we and they language not only abdicates the customer function's seat at the decision makers table, it also creates a false narrative that the customer function is just a feedback mechanism, and not responsible for company outcomes. There is only us. One Team. The Team The Team The Team

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Running 👟 and trail walking 🎒 have been my go-to activities for physical and mental health, helping me process thoughts, solve problems, and connect deeply with others. The therapeutic power of moving through nature, whether running or walking my dog or talking with a friend, has always been profoundly healing. 🌲 The concept of eco-therapy or "walk and talk" therapy caught my interest during the pandemic. While I still have questions about its legal and ethical aspects, the potential benefits for both therapists and clients are promising in today's high-stress healthcare environment. Preventing burnout and providing therapy in a more holistic way support clients' mental health, as well as the health and well-being of coaches and therapists, and seem worthy of further exploration. Exploring these intersections of movement, nature, and wellbeing fuels my passion for creating healthier humans and workplaces. https://lnkd.in/gytQ4_gt

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I repeatedly earned a 4.2/5 manager satisfaction rate at Amazon--this outranked my peers (3.9) and the average manager (3.7) across the company. Here's how I did it: I made my team feel included. I empowered them. I listened to them. I genuinely cared. I didn't micromanage. I didn't wait for annual reviews to give feedback. I didn't treat them like numbers on a spreadsheet. Your Manager(s) are 2nd in line for who has the most impact on your career (behind you, of course). And, sadly, many do not or will not care enough about your success and growth. I've had ~30 managers throughout my career across 12 different companies. Here's the history of which ones cared about my development: 🔴 Manager 1 🔴 Manager 2 🔴 Manager 3 🔴 Manager 4 🔴 Manager 5 🟢 Manager 6 🔴 Manager 7 🔴 Manager 8 🟢 Manager 9 🔴 Manager 10 🔴 Manager 11 🔴 Manager 12 🔴 Manager 13 🔴 Manager 14 🔴 Manager 15 🔴 Manager 16 🟢 Manager 17 🔴 Manager 18 🔴 Manager 19 🔴 Manager 20 🔴 Manager 21 🟢 Manager 22 🔴 Manager 23 🔴 Manager 24 🔴 Manager 25 🔴 Manager 26 🔴 Manager 27 🟢 Manager 28 See a pattern? It's hard to come by Managers who care about your development. You could go 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 in your career without having a manager that cares. My advice? If you've got a manager who doesn't care about your development, find someone willing to help you who does. Doing it on your own will always be limited by what you know, and nobody knows everything! You don't have to switch jobs, you don't have to rely solely on yourself. It's easier than ever to find people ready and willing to help you develop skills you need, navigate the challenges of the workplace, and help chart your path for growth. I have taken what I learned from leading high performing teams and want to help others achieve their goals and solve problems. How can I help you?

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I am deeply honored and humbled to be recognized by Women We Admire as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of California. This acknowledgment means a lot, and I am truly grateful to be in the company of such accomplished and inspiring women. As I pause to reflect on this recognition, I am reminded of the critical importance of our ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership roles. A recent report by S&P Global Market Intelligence highlights concerning trends in gender parity, indicating a potential slowdown in the growth of women's representation in senior corporate positions. In 2023, women held just 11.8% of C-suite roles assessed, down from 12.2% the previous year—the first decline since 2005. This data underscores the urgency of our collective mission to break barriers and create pathways for women in leadership. It reaffirms my commitment to advocating for inclusivity and empowerment at every opportunity and my determination to contribute to meaningful change and to inspire future generations of leaders. #WomenLeaders #DiversityandInclusion #Gratitude #WomeninTech

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Maybe today is the day you… ✨Share your big idea in a meeting ✨Tell your manager you’re ready to take on a stretch project ✨Write an email to your boss detailing how your job description is not lining up with the role you’re actually performing ✨Celebrate a co-worker you previously didn’t work well with Whatever it is, I hope you feel safe enough to share it. That’s what creating a strong culture is all about. #workplaceculture #peopleandculture #leadership

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Unexpected turns can lead to new paths. Recently, amidst discussions of career advancement and contributions at Tesla, restructuring impacted my position - a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the tech industry. But, I'm looking forward with optimism. My commitment to innovation and strategic growth is unwavering, and I'm ready for the next challenge. I’m now seeking new opportunities to bring my expertise in: * Strategic leadership within innovative startups * Corporate strategy and business planning * Program and project management * FP&A, harnessing my affinity for analytics If you know of organizations seeking someone with a passion for driving change and a track record of delivering results, I would be grateful for any introductions. Let’s connect! #BusinessStrategy #Analytics #Leadership #TechIndustry #Innovation #CareerJourney #OpenToWork #Layoff #CareerChange #Startup

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Intuit laying off 1800 (10% of staff): "More than 1,000 of the people being let go were not meeting performance expectations." What does this say about the culture at Intuit? What does this say about management? What does this say about HR? What does this say to the rest?

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Oh my goodness! Can’t believe this is real ;) feeling scared/ excited/ energized and in shock!! Hope y’all take a moment- carve out some time and explore the lessons/ wisdom shared within this book. These are stories / lessons that have been in “development” since my career began. #AlwaysLearning Hope you find them useful in your journey too! https://ukg.inc/3WxUaK7

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As companies think harder about how to keep their talent, a new role has emerged: head of employee listening. Emily Pelosi, PhD took on the title in 2022 at software giant Intuit and leads a team that tracks how workers are feeling, analyzing that feedback to try and improve the company’s workforce strategy. Pelosi told Fortune's Paige McGlauflin that although her job might sound offbeat, it’s actually totally on trend for companies trying to get smarter about their people strategies. “I noticed more and more of these types of roles emerging during the pandemic,” Pelosi says. “When employers realized we have to listen differently, we have to act differently, to navigate the first of many unprecedented global crises.” Read more in the #CHRODaily newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gKhNsrDz

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🌟 Embracing the Fun Side of Life 🌟 Hey, Recently, I experienced a layoff from my position. But guess what? I’m choosing to see this as the most wonderful break ever! Here’s why this break is turning out to be absolutely amazing: 🧘‍♂️ Stress? What’s That?: The daily grind is a thing of the past. Now, I’m waking up stress-free, enjoying my mornings, and feeling more zen than ever. Yoga, meditation, and a good cup of coffee have become my new best friends. 🚗 Bye-Bye Hectic tours: No more living in suitcase! Travelling 22 days in a month was tiresome sometimes. 🏃‍♀️ Health Kick: With all this best time, I’m getting into the best shape of my life. Regular workouts, healthy meals, and plenty of fresh air are doing wonders. I even discovered a new love for cooking nutritious meals! 🧠 Brain Boost: I’m diving headfirst into self-development. From online MBA course to making animated videos for kids, I’m feeding my curiosity and learning new skills. Who knew brushing up on sketching could be so much fun? 🎨 Passion Projects: This break is the perfect excuse to indulge in my hobbies. Whether it’s sketching, animation, writing, or just binge-watching that series I’ve been putting off, I’m loving every moment. I even picked up plantation, and it’s been a blast! 🌟 New Adventures Await: While I’m enjoying this break, I’m also excited about what’s next. I’m open to new opportunities that align with my passions and values. If you have any leads or just want to chat, let’s connect! Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Here’s to making the most of every moment and embracing the unexpected with a smile! 😄 #FunBreak #LifeAfterLayoff #HealthAndHappiness #LearningAndGrowing #NewAdventures

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In today's tough job market, the struggles laid-off employees face in securing new roles are truly disheartening, and many of us wish we had a magic wand to help them all. While layoffs might be necessary for an organization's short-term survival, their execution often lacks compassion. Beyond the immediate impact on those laid off, there's also a significant effect on the remaining workforce, leading to diminished trust, engagement, and, equally important, innovation. It's crucial for organizations to recognize these early warning signs and take proactive steps to mitigate the damage, with strong, effective leadership being paramount. More of my thoughts on this:

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