Cancer Changed Everything: Finding Empathy, Balance, and Grace | Sharmeen Chapp (Stripe)
Aug 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Sharmeen Chapp, Head of Product for Revenue and Finance Automation at Stripe, shares her inspiring journey of overcoming breast cancer while excelling in her career. She discusses the crucial role of empathy in leadership and how she managed her health as if product-managing cancer. Sharmeen highlights the importance of community support, balancing work and family, and emphasizes giving oneself grace during tough times. She also reflects on her rapid career growth and the user-centric culture at Stripe, showcasing how personal challenges can inspire professional excellence.
Empathy in leadership requires setting aside ego to foster collaboration and enhance both individual and organizational success.
Facing a cancer diagnosis led to personal growth, emphasizing the importance of prioritization and honest communication in balancing health and work.
Deep dives
Leading with Empathy
Empathy in leadership begins with setting aside personal ego and approaching team members with genuine intentions. By actively listening to their needs and desires, leaders foster an environment where everyone can thrive, eliminating the need for competition among colleagues. This collaborative mindset not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to the overall success of the organization. The ability to balance empathy with high standards is essential; it is possible to provide constructive feedback while maintaining a supportive atmosphere.
Navigating Personal Challenges
Facing a breast cancer diagnosis shortly after starting a new role at Meta presented significant challenges, yet it also served as a pivotal point in personal growth. The experience taught the importance of confronting fears head-on and focusing on actionable treatment plans, similar to managing a project effectively. By sharing her journey publicly, the speaker aimed to raise awareness about early detection, highlighting the impact of community support during difficult times. This transparency not only fostered deeper connections with others but also aided in finding strength amidst adversity.
Work-Life Balance During Treatment
The speaker chose to continue working through cancer treatments, finding a sense of control in a tumultuous situation. Clear communication about energy levels and work capacities allowed effective collaboration with her team while managing her health. Establishing priorities helped both the speaker and her colleagues to set realistic expectations in the face of a demanding treatment schedule. This careful balancing act demonstrated that personal health and professional responsibilities could coexist when approached with intention and transparency.
Embracing Growth and Learning
In the rapidly changing tech landscape, a growth mindset and adaptability are crucial for career advancement. The speaker emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities that require stepping outside one’s comfort zone, as challenges often lead to significant personal and professional growth. Maintaining open lines of communication with managers about aspirations can ensure alignment on career development goals. Ultimately, recognizing the learning opportunities in every experience—whether successful or disappointing—contributes to long-term success and fulfillment.
My guest today is Sharmeen Chapp, Head of Product for Revenue and Finance Automation at Stripe.
In 2021, Sharmeen was diagnosed with breast cancer after becoming a Senior Director at Meta and a new mom. She shared lessons on leading with empathy through cancer, growing from IC to VP in 6 years, and Stripe’s unique product culture.
Brought to you by:
- Amplitude: Get their North Star playbook for free https://bit.ly/4fPxUmg
Timestamps:
(00:00) Empathy starts with leaving your ego at the door
(01:59) I basically product-managed my breast cancer
(03:22) Silver lining of sharing my journey publicly
(05:54) Balancing work, family, and cancer treatment
(12:20) Why empathy and excellence are not mutually exclusive
(17:34) Operating high and low on vision and execution
(22:05) Transitioning to PM and overcoming doubts
(25:03) Growing from IC to VP in 6 years
(27:56) Why I deprioritized my own product
(36:59) Stripe PM culture of user-first and humility
(41:55) Remember to give yourself grace
Get the takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/leading-with-empathy-through-cancer-sharmeen-chapp
Where to find Sharmeen:
X: https://x.com/luckiesharms
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmeenchapp/
📌 Subscribe to this channel – more interviews coming soon!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode