An interview with Christine Pizzo
Christine Pizzo is Boston Studio Lead, Digital Products at Accenture. A highly specialized Manager and Senior UX/UI Experience Designer at Accenture with a Master’s Degree in Advertising: Creative Technology/ Experience Design, and over 8+ years creating in the digital space.
We chatted to Christine ahead of her conference talk at Leading Design Festival this March.
What has 2020 taught you about design leadership?
Christine: Flexibility, tenacity and vulnerability are terms we really didn’t fully understand until we were delicate spun sugar on the boiling edge hoping not to crack (can we tell I watched GBBO in quarantine?). And leadership became less discipline-based and more, “We’re all in this together; what the heck can we do to help?” It meant allowing the grace and necessity to completely pivot a team or a company — even if for a few months — to make it through, in whatever format that means, and then being comfortable with the inevitable outcomes or repercussions of those decisions. Then there was the whole ‘trying to save the many’ bit, while ‘not losing yourself in the process’ growth that either strengthened leaders or crystalized their weaknesses. Adversity made honest mirrors of us all and defined who we are as leaders, not just in a time of crisis, but with all the artifice stripped and our true selves laid bare.
Your session is all about managing millennials. Are millennials that much different to other generations?
Christine: I have much to say, and have written about this… but the largest point here is the shift in the sharing of information; both what’s accessible at their fingertips and also the outlets for others to comment on them. They are not the first generation to be labelled or disparaged, but they are the first generation to experience a digital description that can span the globe and reach more than 50% of it before you can blink. This means the rest of us need to incorporate context and thoughtful tactics to mesh with these expectations and not clash. Immersing yourself and working as a partner, instead of a dictator, goes a long way for a group cautious with their respect. But once earned, you can have the most passionate and strongest team, hungry to grow.
Millennials seem to come in for a lot of criticism considering they make up almost half the workforce. What don’t people get about managing millennials?
Christine: Like anyone not part of one generation while trying to figure another out… “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes” is hard. Often as humans, we easily stray towards patterns and we’re pessimistic by nature. It’s easier for the brain to process than positivity or optimism, which in turn makes us skeptical of those coming behind with “less experience”. Frequently, I’ve witnessed the immense value this generation has brought in ways previous generations don’t understand, such as social media-based activism, or the endless wealth of tutorial videos and education, many compensated with only goodwill to fill their young hearts. We are often moving too fast to reflect and provide the opportunity for their valuable attributes to shine. But make no mistake, they have some duller, non-shiny bits too …as do we all.
How can leaders pave the way for people from all types of backgrounds to realise their leadership potential?
Christine: Empowerment. It’s become a buzzword that has not only lost its meaning, but it’s tactical actions as well. So to be blunt: Give up your responsibilities to those below or around you and instead, shepherd and shout about their efforts. The best indicator of someone’s capabilities is the opportunities in which they own the result and process. The secret many leaders don’t realize is you do not need to do everything yourself, and often results are more dazzling if you handed an initiative to someone hungry and impassioned to succeed who can focus intently upon its journey. The more you can delegate away and guide or advise while controlling the narrative to make sure that individual gets the recognition and exposure they deserve, the more they will be able to test their mettle and cultivate a strong case for career progression.
You joined us a few years back for a leadership retreat in Norway. What was the experience like for you and what did you take away?
Christine: Calling myself out as practically an event brochure with all the positive things to impart, but honestly, it was a transformative excursion of a lifetime. I found conviction within myself and stored up serenity for the moments I need to stabilize –I frequently picture the deep peace of nature and the crisp air (and the pumpkin soup). The location was truly surreal, and without sounding like embellishment…the power that Juvet left branded is hard to convey. I felt all Eat, Pray, Love without having liked the book or movie. The content of the retreat itself was so intimate and bonding, we were each our genuine selves and supported in kind with our truths. It was humbling, in a moment I was on a career decision precipice, it was everything I needed without providing me an answer. And what I found are connections and compatriots I value and Zoom with frequently.
What are the common challenges you see faced by new leaders?
- Delegation to curb burnout, by trusting in the team’s capabilities to perform better than your fractured attention with just light guidance from you as a leader.
- Self-compassion and emotional separation in the face of hard personnel situations and not allowing these moments to define or cause them to shy away from future ones. They never get easier, but you do grow and improve at handling them, you just need to allow yourself the grace and self-awareness to get there.
- Indecision or conviction in their decisions. Often they want to be validated with each tough email or staffing call when really it is their team. They need to take responsibility and own those decisions to stand strong as a leader in their own right, much like a mini startup CEO.
Lastly, what’s the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to in 2020?
Christine: Found from The Blogess’ Nowhere Bookshop Reading Club: “A Deadly Education” by Naomi Novik — A gritty, delightfully dark, more murderous Harry Potter-esque storyline with a sassy, sarcastic female protagonist.
We’re delighted to have Christine speaking at the #LDFest Conference in March. Tickets are available now.
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