Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Carmen Cano, SVP Product Design at Seismic.
Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?
The most impactful factor was discovering and embracing technology, and understanding how it could change or affect how we do things. For me, it started with the web, but it has never stopped. Imagine the possibilities the web brought, followed by the cloud, followed by mixed reality, and now the most fascinating potential of AI. My most consistent thread has been an endless curiosity and a passion to solve problems. It’s amazing what you can do by simply showing up and being the best version of yourself – no matter what. I can talk about moments, but at the end of the day we all are responsible for creating those moments: memorable, scary, clumsy. Let’s have the courage to explore!
Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?
I don’t think I ever thought about getting any specific title or position. My ambition has always been driven by a genuine desire to learn, to grow, to help others grow, and to leave things better than I found them.
For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?
Show up, be prepared, be yourself. Also work hard, be curious, ask questions, have the courage to understand, and have fun.
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work? What’s the most challenging?
It’s all about people.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
Consistently believing I was behind, then realizing I was ahead.
Q&A
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Walking, reading, painting, listening to music, gardening and spending time with my husband.
How do you manage stress?
I mostly worry about what is in my control and do something about it.
For things that we don’t control but may affect us, I tend to curate them into fiction-like stories and observe them from the outside, like when we watch movies. That technique provides me with a much-needed perspective that we often lose, for some reason or another.
How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?
As many as I can. Coffee is an important part of my daily ritual. But it’s not about caffeine… it’s about the smell, the color, the feeling, the thinking while taking that warm cup in your hands. It’s about that pause, that quiet, slow moment the cup creates between you and the rest around you. It frees you up.
Any book or podcast recommendations?
The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath, which says to stop waiting for the memorable to happen, create it.
Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga helped me understand that play is a critical ritual to both discovery and personal fulfillment.
What advice do you have for recent college graduates?
Don’t fall in love with the plan.
