Teresa Lucido
Since joining Spotlight in 2006, Lucido has taken on an increasing number of responsibilities, being named Central Division vp last year. She is now responsible for sales, marketing, finance, production and traffic operations for 18 markets—covering more than 11 million homes—including Chicago, Detroit and the Twin Cities. Her commitment extends outside the office as well, where she has been honored for her work with Michigan’s St John Hospital and Medical Center. How does she do it all? Time management! “A day without a plan leaves me unproductive, unsatisfied and feeling out of control,” she says.
What’s the most important aspect of mentoring?
Mentoring is teaching mentees how to think – not what to think. As leaders, we tend to be solutions oriented and want to resolve issues. Guiding a mentee to their own conclusion instead of jumping in with quick advice, will result in far more growth for the mentee. I like to ask my mentees a lot of questions, listen carefully, and ask them what they think they should do versus telling them what I would do. When we discuss situations, I like to ask them what they want to accomplish with their action, talk through what success would look like, and then hold them accountable to let me know the outcomes at our next meeting. The gift a mentor provides is guidance to the mentee so they feel empowered to navigate their own situations and strengthen their professional skill set. I suggest that leaders ensure they are selective of whom them mentor – mentoring those who take the commitment seriously, are willing to be accountable for the relationship and are driven to action. I find acting as a mentor brings me personal enrichment and if I’m doing my job right….learning from the mentee.
Trick for maintaining personal-professional life balance?
Time management!!! I have three very important areas of my life to integrate – my family, my work, and my own self. A day without a plan leaves me unproductive, unsatisfied and feeling out of control. Effective time management in my quest for personal-professional integration brings together two of my favorite sayings: “plan your work, and work your plan” and “half of life is lived in Plan B”. The needs and priorities of these three areas can change on any given day, and often within any given hour! That means I have to be as equally productive in Plan B mode as I was prepared to be in Plan A mode. I prefer to think of it as personal-professional integration instead of balance, because balance to me implies that things have to be equal….and they never are. Leaders tend to be over-achievers and accepting that all parts of your life won’t always run perfect, while humbling, can actually be liberating.
What are the biggest growth areas for women in cable
It’s an exciting time to be in the cable business and growth opportunities exist in every single discipline. At Comcast, it’s not necessarily about “cable” anymore. We are a technology company that is growing and changing when it comes to products and people. Areas for women to contribute and advance have never been more abundant. I would encourage women to analyze their specific skillsets and explore where they could use those skills to play a role in the future needs of the industry.