We recently had a brilliant session with Collette Johnson as part of the Women in Tech Special Interest Group event at Cambridge Judge Business School.
A few things that stayed with me:
1) Great product leaders are those who are masters of adaption. Technical skills can be learnt, but these core abilities are what truly drive impact.
*Strong communication skills
*Tolerance for ambiguity
*Ability to resolve conflict
2) If your career path in tech is all squiggles, don’t worry. It’s not just normal, it’s necessary
3) It is easy to get swayed by job titles, but they vary wildly between companies. Our focus needs to be on the impact, not the label.
4) Communication is not one-size-fits-all anymore. A key skill is customising your style for the different audiences you will sit opposite, from high-ranking executives to neurodivergent teammates.
Collette also shared an anecdote from her recent visit to a glassblower’s studio. The artisans explained that their craft isn’t about mastering glass but about perfecting moulds and designs that could work with any material. That perfectly captures the essence of a product career – it is not about mastering one specific skill set but developing adaptable skills that can be applied across industries and roles.
Women in Tech – The truth
* Go after that role you want and apply even if you are a 50-60% match – don’t wait for 100%.
* Don’t let age be a barrier. Find companies that value diverse experiences.
* Pro tip: Check a company’s health/wellness policies as they reveal the real company culture.
* Building authentic allies starts with women supporting women.
The tech landscape is evolving at lightning speed, with no fixed playbook – just infinite possibilities. And that’s exactly what makes it so exciting!
Thank you to everyone who is part of the Special Interest Group at Cambridge Judge. We’re excited to keep connecting with women across the tech industry who inspire others to explore and thrive in tech careers. This event set the stage for more conversations about women and tech careers in the coming term, and my MBA classmates, Prachi Malhotra, Sambhabi Chanda, and I are excited for what is still ahead on our MBA year.
Thanks again to Collette Johnson for her insights and time and thank you to the Careers Team at Cambridge Judge Business School for their support throughout.
For more on Special Interest Groups on the Cambridge MBA and the Careers Team at Cambridge Judge Business School visit our website here>
