Long before my career in technology, my youth as a professional horse jumper taught me that leadership isn’t about force – it’s about trust, patience and earned progress. Then and now, progress continues to be gained through discipline, self-leadership and a willingness to do the hard work long before results show up. That mindset has stayed with me at every stage of my journey and continues to shape how I lead a global technology services team spanning 40+ countries worldwide.
It’s striking that in our industry, which is built on innovation and progress, representation continues to lag. As we mark Women’s History Month, the fact that women make up only about a quarter of the technology industry’s workforce underscores why leadership, access and inclusion still matter.
As an executive sponsor of our Women’s Kyndryl Inclusion Network (KIN), alongside my colleague Kris Lovejoy, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Strategy, I see how intentional inclusion creates space for diverse perspectives and stronger outcomes. Reflecting on my own journey — from early career lessons to moments of doubt and bold decisions — one principle has remained constant: what matters most is the discipline to keep moving forward, even without certainty. This has shaped my journey. Here are a few lessons that continue to guide me.Growth comes from curiosity and courage
Some of the most important moments in my life came from being bold and leaning into uncertainty. I was 19 years old when I made the leap and moved to Germany to pursue a career in equestrian sports. I stepped into a culture I didn’t know, with a language I didn’t speak. It took courage to step into the unknown. When you operate in sports, you must work really hard. There are no freebies – a lesson that applies just as much to life and business, too.
Lead with humility
Working with horses, I learned quickly that you cannot dictate outcomes. I weighed about 50 kilos, and the horses weighed about 600. There is no force in that equation. Each horse had its own instincts and needs that had to be understood and respected if I wished to harness their speed and power. In short, I had to earn their trust. That lesson has stayed with me. In business, leadership works the same way. It isn’t about control, but rather humility, understanding different perspectives, building agreement and bringing people along with you.
Mentorship is a survival tactic
At one point in my career, I was doing well in Sweden and felt I was on a fast track. Then I was offered the opportunity to move to Singapore — and I hesitated out of fear of failure. That’s when a mentor challenged my thinking in a way I’ve never forgotten.
He said, “When senior leaders look at profiles for big roles, if someone has always succeeded, we won’t pick them.” I honestly thought he was completely crazy. But then he reminded me that leaders who never stumble are often the ones who never took real risks. That moment fundamentally changed how I see failure. It’s not something to avoid — it’s often evidence that you were brave enough to stretch.
I would never have learned that lesson without a mentor. And it’s one I carry with me today, especially when encouraging others to take on bigger roles. If someone suggests you stretch, it’s because they believe you can succeed — not because they expect perfection.
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