Cathy Oakes
By | November 1, 2013
SVP, Operations, SCTE
Under Oakes’ watch, SCTE has strengthened its Tuck Leadership Institute, created the association’s Vet-Net program for veterans in the cable tech community and expanded initiatives that reach women and minorities. Not to mention, she has spearheaded continued growth of Cable-Tec Expo programs. Success, according to Oakes, starts with your employees. “The team is a reflection of the values, cultures, and possibilities of an organization,” she says. “It’s important to listen to ideas, respecting experience, and capitalize as a team on individual strengths.”
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Two things: my job never gets boring, and I get to work with the SCTE team and our MSO and vendor partners to provide value to the industry. It’s extremely rewarding to plan and execute such diverse projects as SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, packaging training to meet MSO needs, working with corporate allies and developing women’s programs like Women’s Tech Connect in partnership with WICT.
How do you define success in the workplace?
Success is realizing that your employees are the biggest asset a company has and making sure the team is positioned to accomplish goals through clear direction, positive and constructive coaching, recognition and respect, professional development and other growth opportunities. The team is a reflection of the values, cultures, and possibilities of an organization. It’s important to listen to ideas, respecting experience, and capitalize as a team on individual strengths. At the same time, we need to be aware of individuals’ limits and the need for quality of life.
Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?
Being able to make adjustments when you are paying too much attention to one aspect and not the other. Making sure you are “fully present” when you are with your family and friends, and separating yourself from routine, day-to-day family concerns when you are at work.