15 Minutes with the Boss
Summer series: Extended interview of Google MD Melanie Silva
Jan 13, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Melanie Silva, the Managing Director of Google in Australia and New Zealand, shares her insights on leadership and the power of intentional communication. She reflects on how her experiences as a mother shape her leadership style and emphasizes the importance of role models for aspiring individuals. Melanie also explores the art of negotiation, highlighting empathy and effective communication as key for cultivating long-term workplace relationships. Her journey underscores the value of resilience and navigating career challenges with self-awareness.
33:29
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Quick takeaways
- Melanie Silva emphasizes the importance of intentional communication in leadership, as words significantly influence team dynamics and morale.
- She advocates for embracing lateral career moves as valuable opportunities for skill acquisition and personal growth, rather than solely focusing on upward progression.
Deep dives
Balancing Chaos and Routine
Melanie Silva, the Managing Director of Google in Australia, shares insights into her hectic morning routine as a working parent. She wakes up early at around 5:30 AM, taking a brief moment for herself with a cup of tea before the chaos of getting her three children ready for school begins. This early time allows her to prepare mentally for the day ahead, even though it can sometimes morph into a frenzied scramble as the children demand different breakfasts or can’t find their shoes. Such morning rituals highlight the balancing act many working parents face, blending personal moments with professional obligations.
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