Thank you for talking to us today, Tejaswini. Can you describe what you do at Salesforce in your current role?
My role overlaps in two different areas of Salesforce. Firstly, I am part of a team called the Global Delivery Center (GDC) which provides value added services to all of our customers. My specific responsibilities are focused on the EMEA and UK operating units, which is an external facing role with revenue targets attached to it – I spend 60% of my time in this area. I also oversee a team of about 100 people that work on Salesforce’s cloud products. Together we work to deliver all service cloud products through the GDC. I’m passionate about my team’s development and consistently work to enable and upskill them.
I saw that you were recently promoted into a Director role, tell me more about that transition.
Moving into this new role has really broadened my perspective within the company and opened so many doors for me. I’ve certainly been leveraging my visibility as a Director to be more efficient in my role. I’ve also taken Meiko’s (AWE Founder & CEO) advice and tried to be very intentional about being aligned with Salesforce’s goals and mission. Going up the ladder means it is more important than ever to be mindful of the direction in which the organization is going and understanding your part in that journey. That alignment is crucial for being a successful leader within a large organization.
Did you always envision yourself working in this industry? How did you stay focused on your goal or pivot when necessary?
I have been in the Software industry for 22 years – since my very first job! I found it was an industry that I really was able to grow and thrive in. Having said that, there were a few moments where I definitely had to pivot – especially being a mother to 2 children. Taking breaks to raise my kids was always a scary prospect because this industry is so competitive. Despite my significant experience, I was apprehensive that I could be replaced so I always worked to upskill myself since our industry is so dynamic and changes so much.
How have you seen your industry change for women since you started?
Absolutely it has changed, especially for women who have a family. When I had my first child who was born prematurely, I couldn’t leave her and go back to work. I took a break from work for 3 years to dedicate my time to her. When I wanted to reenter the workforce after that break, it was very challenging. Many people told me I would not be able to find a job because I had this employment gap – that I should just give up on that idea and be a homemaker. There were times where I felt unwelcome and that really affected my confidence, one interviewer even asked me if I remembered how to type on a laptop. That happened 14 years ago, but it is still very fresh in my mind. Fast forward to today and Salesforce has a specific return to work program for mothers who are trying to reenter the workforce – we’ve hired 50 women through that program. So I think there are definitely more opportunities for women who have taken career breaks for their family which is fantastic.
What are some of the keys to your success?
Never stop learning! Without dedicating time to upskilling, it’s difficult to stay relevant in this industry. Luckily I am a passionate lifelong learner, so I’ve enjoyed the challenges that this industry has presented me with – I’ve never dreamt of going anywhere else! I think being persistent is key – never give up on achieving the goals that you’ve set for yourself. Finally I would say always be a problem solver. People need help and so they value people who can come to the table with solutions.
How has being a part of AWE changed how you show up to work every day? What was your favorite session/training?
When I first joined the AWE Accelerator program in partnership with Salesforce’s Women’s Leadership Development Program, I didn’t know how it would be different from other leadership programs that I had taken part in. But when Meiko (AWE CEO & Founder) started to share her own personal experiences, that was really impactful and I realized that this program was very different from what I was used to. The program environment really encouraged us to be candid and honest about our careers, which was totally refreshing. There was also a big focus on how to engage with male allies in our space – that male managers needed to be enabled to understand the importance of it also which I loved. Some of my favorite topics were Executive Presence and the Art of Storytelling, but one of the biggest takeaways for me was ensuring your alignment with company goals which I mentioned earlier. That caught my attention and I proceeded to do a lot of introspection around that principle to understand how I was intentionally or unintentionally showing up for my team leaders. The program completely changed my perspective around that.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that we can’t find listed on your resume.
I am a very spiritual person and I am super interested in the concept of people’s past lives!