Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

SHOW NOTES:

In this engaging episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth sits down with Stefania 'Stef' Mancini, GM and VP of Product at Intuit Canada's Consumer Business. Stef shares why she left a fulfilling career in marketing and advertising, and the transformative steps she took at Intuit that enabled her and her team to achieve three years of unprecedented double-digit growth. We discuss how to take big risks; how to get people excited – even when you miss the mark; and the art of blending authenticity with corporate politics. Stef’s got advice for how women can lean in without losing their humanity, more than a few sports analogies -- and even some dark humor, sharing the wisdom gained when she thought about work on her death bed (it’s not what you think).

• Stef had a stellar career – but still wanted to do more
• Keys to finding the missing link between where she wanted to be and could be – and where she actually was
• “Sitting in stagnation [for me] was worse than failure”
• How Stef pursued and landed her job at Intuit (they move fast!)
• How Stef was able to build important relationships -- despite not meeting anyone in corporate or on her team in person for her first 18 months
• How Stef reconciled the dissonance of wanting to be be authentic and direct with “playing politics”
• Old Stef vs new Stef: how she went from pushing to be right -- to understand what success looks like for someone else
• Going about getting a mentor and sponsor (and the difference between the two)
• Getting a sponsor: luck of the draw or can you land one without a magical first connection?
• “Be a racehorse that can deliver”: the building block of being somone that top people will sponsor
• The benefits of checking in with no reason, using Slack to let people know you notice them
• Golf, baseball, formula one, and sports: what Stef means when she says “take big swings”
• “Take big risks fearlessly”: How Stef took a risk and strong stand that was unpopular
• Putting Canada on the map: Using a failure to unlock new insights and change the paradigm of what the company could do
• Stef’s view on how women can navigate challenges: “Don’t just walk away” but think about if changing your approach might yield a different response
• “If the idea of failure is not the thing that stops you, then everything is an experiment.”
• The impact of stage 4 cancer
• On her deathbed, Stef DID think about work (and how that provided clarity)
• Delivery is important, but how to package that up in a meaningful way
• How to get people excited, even when you miss the mark
• People want to support others – and work for others – that are driving change and making good things happen
• Executive Presence: how to bring energy and what most people are afraid to do
• How to pronounce Stefania? The hilarious story you will never forget
• Lightning round! Stef on what non-Canadians need to know about Canada; the next luminary she WILL meet; where to eat in Toronto; and what English lit we should all read
• Why it is critical that more women have a seat at the table, as AI shapes the next revolution

BIO AND LINKS:

Stefania Mancini is General Manager for Intuit Consumer Group Canada, overseeing all product, marketing and revenue generating activities for TurboTax and Credit Karma in Canada. Intuit Consumer Group Canada provides AI enabled technology solutions and professional expert services to help over 5 million Canadians power prosperity. Prior to joining Intuit Consumer Group Canada, Stefania spent two decades in leadership roles at Klick Health, Say Media, Rogers Media, BMO Financial Group and AGF Funds Inc. She holds her degree in English literature and history from the University of Toronto. Stef is a Stage IV cancer survivor and has an amazing blended family, four children, with her husband Anthony.

• Intuit Canada: https://www.intuit.com/ca/
• Stef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniamancini/
• Stef featured on Women of Influence: https://tinyurl.com/3ryda7ws
• Stef named as Intuit Canada GM: https://strategyonline.ca/2023/05/18/in-brief-intuits-head-marketer-now-its-gm/
• Radical Candor concept: https://a.co/d/dXkgspD
• She recommends you read Alexander Pope: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alexander-pope
• Michael’s book, Get Promoted: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74