Peppercorn.ai hosted an inspiring conversation with Katharine Weymouth, moderated by Anita Ganti.
Katharine Weymouth is the former CEO of the Washington Post. She is a Board Member and Leader with a background in law and media.
Katharine is the Chief Operating Officer at Family Care, a platform and community for parents of struggling and at-risk teens. She also currently serves on a number of public and private boards and advises startups.
She has a demonstrated history of transitioning to digital media as well as experience identifying and growing talent.
Katharine shared key insights from her leadership journey, including when and how to seek guidance, learning on the job, giving your team the room and ability to succeed, being self-aware, taking risks, and dealing with a crisis as a leader.
Multiple Pivots in her career
English major in college
Earned a law degree
A litigator for 8 years
Moved over to do law at the Washington Post
Moved over to the advertising side of the business (not doing law)
CEO of Washington Post for 8 years
Sold Washington Post to Jeff Bezos and stayed on for one year transition
Worked with 2 startups in COO positions
Board member for both public and nonprofit
Valuable skills you should gain as you go through your career journey:
Not being afraid to lean on others for things that you may not know.
Being open to learning on the job.
Surround yourself with people who are really good at what they do and let them run with it.
Giving people the room to go do what they do well
Its really about teamwork when in a company
Self-awareness
Being willing to take risks and making mistakes
eg. doing live events at the Washington Post.
Owning mistakes as a leader (even as a team)
What are insights to think about as you embark on a pivot?
Understand that it takes courage
Look for companies that are looking for smart, talented people who will figure it out
Know that pivoting can be energizing
Become self-aware and learn what you really want to do and what you are interested in and passionate about
Take a leap of faith
Articulate what your skills are and what will take you to the next level
Join Peppercorn Discovery - www.peppercorn.ai/pdpd
Leaders she looks up to!
CEO Accenture - Julie Sweet
Ex-CEO Xerox - Anne M. Mulcahy
Her grandmother - Katharine Graham
Her own mother - Lally Weymouth
What are your thoughts about pivoting? Any additional thoughts to add?