Joan Sherlock, VP of Marketing Programs at SAP, California Native, and Foodie  

Joan Sherlock may be that rarity: a Silicon Valley worker who was actually born and raised there. She is a VP for Marketing programs at SAP, a German multinational software company headquartered across the pond, but with huge offices in Palo Alto (and incidentally named not only on a Forbes list of “Best Employers,” but also coming in at #28 of the “World’s Most Valuable Brands.”)  Sherlock also worked at Apple during her twenties, and is excited now to be at SAP where she says, she loves “working for a company that is in the forefront of change.”

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? 
I was born and raised in Silicon Valley and was fortunate to raise my kids in the same house I grew up in.  I appreciate all the opportunities and natural beauty the Valley has to offer. We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years – but the last ten years have been the biggest.  We’re in the middle of a technology boom like never before, and I love working for a company that is in the forefront of change. It’s one thing to invent a company, it’s another to re-invent one!

I’ve been a marketing generalist for high tech firms for over 20 years.  I believe that helping others grow and innovate elevates us all to new heights of creativity and success, so I try to spend a lot of time mentoring others.  Outside of the office my world includes raising three terrific daughters, community service and career-coaching graduating college students.

I maintain my intertwined work and personal life by being an ardent foodie, running, cycling, being an SF Giants fan, and painting California landscapes.

What does a day in your shoes typically look like? 
In a global job, you’re on the phone constantly.  The occasional “fire drill,” otherwise lots of interface with my team members to assist them in finding their own solutions to problems.  Some time spent selling our programs up the chain.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning, and the last three things you do before you go to bed? 

Morning:

• • • Start the coffee
    • Go outside and look over the beautiful green valley in front of my house and say thank you for all my blessings
    • Get on the phone (I have a global job and Europe’s on by 6) 

Evening:

• • • Review email and calendar for the morning as meetings start early
    • Stretch
    • Read, read, read —  New York Times, plus multiple books

What is your breakfast of choice?  
Peanut butter and jelly on a toasted gluten-free English muffin.

What keeps you energized and motivated at work? 
Definitely Peet’s coffee!  Also, great leadership is a must for me.  I have to believe in the people I work for.  Then I like taking on challenges — there is no bigger adrenaline rush than massive problem-solving.

What is the favorite part of your job?  
My team — we love working together to reach common goals.  And they’re just great people!

What and who inspires your work? 
My mom was a big inspiration, not only because she was one of the few working moms in my neighborhood, but also because she was a political activist and fought for what she believed in.  She also had very high expectations of herself, and always tried to make the world better.  I think this has to carry into the workplace – if you take good care of your team, show them key values and expectations, they will respond in the way they work and deliver.

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful work week? 
Distance cycling, or hanging out in my veggie garden, cooking fresh food with friends, family and a glass of wine.

How does your culture/background influence your work? 
Things were not handed to me on a silver spoon.  Though I’ve been very lucky in my life, I’ve also had to work hard to get (and keep) what I have and how my career has grown.  I come from Irish and German stock.   The creative crazy side balanced out by a “get it done” spirit.

How many times have you changed your career direction?
Not a job change but did start out pre-med in school and changed to English Literature.  English gave me skills and an appreciation for global cultures that I would not have gotten elsewhere.  I initially went into sales upon graduation, then fell easily into Marketing at Apple Computer in my twenties.  Never looked back, have been marketing technology ever since.

What has been your biggest obstacle in your career and how did you overcome it? 
Definitely fear of failure. That’s why I work hard to recognize when fear is holding me back, and make a plan to move past it – it’s huge, especially for women in the workplace.  Coaching others has made me better at this; I recognize it in others, help them with tools to overcome, and apply those back to me on a continuing basis.

Three questions you like to ask during an interview to know if the candidate (or job) is the right fit?

• • • “Finish this sentence: ‘Your work life is ideal when you are _______.’ ”
    • “What was your favorite job and why?”
    • “What keeps you up at night?’
    • “Why do you think Obama won his latest bid for President?”  (Yes #4- I had that asked in an interview two years ago!).

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?

• • • Having empathy
    • A talent for communications
    • An ability to fight for what you believe in
    • Naturally able to be trusted
    • Having energy

What advantages do you see as a woman in the workplace?
We’re smarter (JK).  Well, maybe – I do think we are able to balance more things at a time, and that broadens our scope and capabilities.  Also, right now there’s a big focus on getting women onto for-profit boards, because they’ve seen the long-term revenue gains in the companies that have women on their boards.

What advice would you give women starting their career? 
Even if you’re just beginning, start a plan of where you want to go.  One year, and five year goals.  Revisit every quarter and modify. And second – find a couple mentors levels above you immediately and start a discussion around where you want to go and how they can help you understand the path to get there.  Never be afraid to ask!!

What book would you recommend for women just starting their career? 
Definitely Lean In, then Off Balance by Matthew Kelly so that they understand the intertwining of work and personal life.

What is your favorite quote you try to live by? There’s the obvious:  “We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests.” — Sheryl Sandberg

And another one I really like: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”    — Albert Einstein