218: Why Being a Misfit Makes You Magic with Cheryl Johnson

If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in or don't look like those around you, today’s guest will inspire you to recognize that your differences are not just an asset—they're the key to your extraordinary leadership potential. 

In this episode, I invite Cheryl Johnson, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks, to share how she found remarkable success by embracing what makes her different. Cheryl refers to her unique qualities as the "magic in her misfit," and her story is a powerful reminder that standing out can be your greatest strength.

We explore her journey to becoming Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks, highlighting key lessons from her time at Amazon and her transition into leadership. She discusses overcoming burnout, embracing her uniqueness, and the power of being a "misfit" in leadership. As Cheryl shares her experiences, you'll discover how being different makes you successful, especially in a world where companies constantly seek ways to differentiate.

We dive into:

• Cheryl’s career journey to becoming Chief Product and Technology Officer at Betterworks
• Embracing your uniqueness and the power of being a "misfit" in leadership
• Overcoming burnout and finding balance in high-pressure environments
• The importance of authenticity, adaptability, and leading with humility
• And more

**Useful links**

• Connect with today’s guest, Cheryl:
  • W: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylporro
  • W: https://www.betterworks.com
• Cheryl’s current read: New Happy by Stephanie Harrison
• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy 
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode218 
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

This episode was sponsored by our guest, Cheryl Johnson. Thank you Cheryl for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!