Cindy Sparrow, VP of Marketing at Lennox International, Vanderbilt Alum, Product & Development Specialist, &  Snow-Skiiing Enthusiast   

“Keep up with current events to excel at your job, and dress for the next position you want.“  Excellent advice, and two of the suggestions Cindy Sparrow, a VP of Marketing and Product Management at Lennox International’s world headquarters in Texas, would offer to her fellow career women. Although Lennox is a corporation – located in places as far flung as Zimbabwe and Russia — that concentrates on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Sparrow has specialized in the fields of Sales and Marketing & Products Development across several industries, including chemicals, transportation and retail, and technology.

The common denominator has been to have a customer-oriented inquisitiveness about how a product can be made better – or, as she notes, throughout all these positions, “I found myself constantly questioning and analyzing everything: what drives the need for change in a product, its features and functionality?”  That sort of pro-active curiosity can be enhanced by keeping current with what is going on in the world in general, which is why Sparrow lists “news apps” as one of the first things she reads in the morning.

Sparrow grew up in a house in Dallas with a “very strong work ethic,” and two parents who worked but were never too busy to miss out on homework help; she has vivid memories of sitting at the “family dinner table til midnight (or later!)” doing schoolwork, with her mother offering guidance. She won scholarships and worked throughout undergrad to help pay for tuition, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and economics,  and later a master’s degree at Southern Methodist University.

From these very traditional, white-picket fence roots, she then traveled the world with her jobs for over ten years, and now is ensconced back in Texas. Although she has all the requisite experience for her very corporate expertise, she admits to a huge fondness for snow-skiing, saying that she could see “living on a mountain” – but for now, that will have to wait until her great, analytical interest in the field of Product Development wanes.

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband, Ted, whom I first met while attending Vanderbilt University. Together we have two children, an 11-year-old son Teddy, and a 13-year-old daughter Ali.

What does a day in your shoes typically look like? 
No one day is like the other, and I love it.  I work with a fantastic group composed of extremely high performing team members.  My day is primarily composed of working with Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, Finance, IT and Operations departments to help facilitate and drive to our business goals. We come up with new ideas for products, and build the business cases to justify their development based on customer needs. We then take the product concept through our Product Development process, and eventually to market launch, also facilitating the actual commercialization and marketing of the product.

What 2-3 things do you do to prepare yourself before work, and is there anything you try to accomplish everyday?

• • • Read the news via various new apps every day.
    • Workout Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and drive carpool when possible on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    • Plan day out – work and personal – before heading into the office daily.

What is your breakfast of choice?
Granola cereal with blueberries, grapefruit, boiled egg…and when possible, fresh juice.

What are your rituals or tips for staying energized and motivated? 
Workout, prioritize family dinners (tough with dual working parents and two active kids, but always fun and motivating for work) and try to go to bed by 10 p.m. nightly.

What is the favorite part of your job? 
Favorite Part?  That it’s never boring!  Some people may think, “You’re in a dinosaur industry,” or “You’re just making tin boxes,” however Lennox has been around for over 120 years and innovation is part of our brand promise.  And that’s the fun part!  We are constantly striving to find news ways to sustain our leadership in the marketplace and continue to innovate.  I think about it all day every day, beginning first thing in the morning when I start the day by reading various news apps.  What’s going on in other industries that we can apply to ours?  What are the key consumer trends/wins that we can bring to our products?

What and who inspires you at work?
In the workplace, I continue to be inspired by those who challenge me to think differently and more broadly.  Internally, I am also inspired by those who are at the top of their game despite challenges…whether it be culture, age, gender, socioeconomic, etc.  I really love to see working moms who make it happen without giving up work/life balance.

How does your culture/background influence your work?
I grew up in a family with a very strong work ethic.  My parents both worked very long days throughout their entire careers.  I remember studying late at night and my mom coming home late from work — but despite the hour and her day, she was always willing to sit down with me at the family dinner table as I worked to complete my homework until close to midnight (or later).  We were always a priority.  Growing up with both parents in the workforce has influenced me as a mom and a leader today; I am always mindful of the importance of hard work, but also the need for a work/life balance.

How many times have you changed your career direction?
I truly believe that if you have mastered a core skill set, they can be transferable across any industry.  My career took me from my first job in chemicals, to transportation and retail with FedEX, to technology at Sabre, and then to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) at Lennox Industries…In my career, I have worked in four very different industries, while maintaining a primary focus on Sales & Marketing and Product Development types of functional roles.

What has been your biggest obstacle in your career and how did you overcome it?
To be honest, I loved being in sales.  I traveled the globe visiting friends and closing some big customer deals for just over ten years. However, I also wanted to learn more about product development, marketing and business management.  After a successful career in sales, I worked deliberately to change how people thought of “Cindy” and my overall brand, as I had started to be pigeonholed as a career salesperson.  My company at the time assisted with my MBA, while I also worked with them to give me roles with increasing responsibility and value to the business. By the time I graduated, I was already doing the next role in my career progression.

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful work week?
Very favorite activity is snow-skiing….I only wished I lived on a mountain!  After a stressful week, hanging out with family and friends is my favorite activity without a doubt!

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?
Communication, intelligence, decisiveness, empathy, servant leadership, courage and being a risk-taker.

What are the unforgettable traits of role models who have inspired you most?
Those who are not afraid to take risks; those who inspire you to work harder.

What are your most steadfast ‘don’ts’ rules regarding work and the workplace, and what are your most cherished ‘do’s’?
I would rather focus on the do’s.  Just a few that I keep top of mind…definitely not a be-all end-all type of list:

• • • Focus on the people around you in order for success to be achieved.
    • Be in the conversation and have an opinion.
    • Read the news.  Be up to date on current events.
    • Dress for the position you want to be in next.
    • Be aware of the importance of communication (and giving appropriate context when needed – it can be the greatest motivator).  Always set expectations.

How have mentors impacted your personal and professional development?
I had a mentor who was a CMO at a company and she talked very directly…she spoke often and candidly about what it takes for women to succeed in the boardroom (e.g. use stats to back up your position, etc.).  She also stressed about the importance of dressing for success.  I initially thought of this as very old school, but she was right.  She even talked about the importance to dress and act the part of the role you want…not your current role.

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

• • • “Tell me what you know about the position and this business segment.”  (This tells you whether they took the time to research the business and the position.)
    • I typically take a real example from the past and ask how they would approach pulling together a strategy — for instance, “What are the key inputs to be considered in decision-making?”

Do you have a ‘Power Outfit’ that you wear for a big meeting or important work event?
I will typically wear heels and a jacket for important events.  I mention heels as they make you stand taller.

What advice would you give to women starting their careers?
As you grow in your career, it will be important to really focus on a specific area or two and learn to do it extremely well.  It will make a difference.  It will make you stand out.  Also, network — reach out and look for those who are willing to “champion” you.

What book would you recommend for women just starting their career?
No Ceiling, No Walls: What Women Haven’t Been Told Leadership form Career-Start to Corporate Boardroom, by Susan L. Colantuono. 

What is your favorite quote you try and live by?
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” -Theodore Roosevelt