Why Having A Work Family is More Critical than You Might Think

Why Having A Work Family is More Critical than You Might Think Anneliese Olson,General Manager and Global Head of Home Printing Solutions at HP Inc, has been with HP for nearly 25 years, in large part because of the work family shes found there. HP is a family unlike anything Ive seen or experienced before at other companies, she says.She recently shared with Fairygodboss what, exactly, this kind of camaraderie looks like I had just been promoted into management when I welches thinking about starting a family, Olson recalls. I had so much worry and stress about being pregnant and out on maternity leave that first year and how it would affect my career. Looking back, I laugh at the worry I put myself through because it welches a complete non-issue. My manager and team were supportive of me and I was able to pursue my passions both at work and at home.HP is Hiring Now Browse OpportunitiesOlson told Fairygodboss about how she decompresses after each work day, why her mom is her hero an d she also offered some super applicable career tips for job seekers.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously? Ive been in my current role for just one year. Prior, I ran HPs PC business for seven years in APJ, based in Singapore. I made the shift to lead Home Printing globally as an opportunity to take what I learned from being part of our HP PC transformation and apply the learnings to help transform our Print business. In total, Ive been with HP for 24 years with roles across segments, different geographies and different business models for PC, Print and Services.Whats the first (and/or last) thing you do at work every day?To start, I check my calendar for the day, take a quick look at emaille for hot topics, and get the day going. At the end of the day, I save my commute time home to do a 11, often not with a direct member of my team/staff to talk live about something going on with our company culture, top talent or the business directly. Then it is a short podcast to finish the drive home usually TedTalks or WorkLife with Adam Grant (which provides provocative concepts and helps me decompress).Whats the most unique or interesting aspect of HP?HP is a company thats reinventing ourselves constantly however, were grounded in the original imagination of our founders. Every time I see Bills and Daves our founders offices (yes, theyre still intact here on the Palo Alto campus), I feel both very humble and proud. I take it upon myself now in a senior role to keep that vision of reinvention alive.Whats something you think most people (perhaps even current employees) dont know about HP that you think they should? The camaraderie among the HP executive leadership team, as well as up and down the organization and across geographies, is something truly special. People at HP have a loyalty to the brand, business, and especially to the people here and that doesnt always exist in other places.There is also a heritage and knowl edge base that exists at HP because of the loyalty of long-term folks both in the business and work we do. Personally, I believe that my colleagues are my work family theyre a group of people around the world in different roles who I can call at any time for support both at work and in my personal life. HP is a family unlike anything Ive seen or experienced before at other companies.Whats something youre especially good at work? Im a communicator, and I have a lot of passion in both my work and in helping people unlock their own potential. This translates into my strengths for my job, including my ability for driving authentic, transparent conversations with all levels of the organization. I can pull things out from the shadows for example, I can get the sacred cows onto the table for discussion, have real development feedback discussions about what is holding someone back in their role, and essentially ensure we are naming the problem whenever possible. My self-motivation, my ded ication, and my experience empower me to take on the hard challenges.What about outside of work? Two things especially. Finding interesting music and putting my amateur DJ skills to practice gives me cool mom status with my kids. Also, I can host a kick-ass, multi-course dinner party at home.What are you trying to improve on? In my leadership role, its my job to cut through the clutter and make decisions that impact how my team operates. Im continually focused on making decisions faster, as well as making it a priority to tackle the hard things first vs. saving them for the end of the day.Whats your favorite mistake?I had just been promoted into management when I was thinking about starting a family. I had so much worry and stress about being pregnant and out on maternity leave that first year and how it would affect my career. Looking back, I laugh at the worry I put myself through because it was a complete non-issue. My manager and team were supportive of me and I was able to purs ue my passions both at work and at home. Whats the one career move youve made that youre most proud of? Im most proud of myself for jumping at the chance for moving my family andI to Singapore with the HP PC business. It was a new team with new players and I had no history with any of the execs, the press or customers/partners in the region but we made it all work. Personally, and professionally, it was an amazing move for us.What do you love most about HP? I literally can bring my whole hard working, crazy, loud, committed, results-driven self to work every day at HP.What are you currently reading/watching/listening to? Lots For music, Ive had Childish Gambino This Is America on repeat since it came out. I love his style and approach to highlighting issues. Also, Amber Mark is one of my favorites this year. Shes a self-trained musician and songwriter. Lose My Cool is my favorite on her 333am album. Im also reading two books currently. The belastung Black Unicorn by Tiffany Had dish (easy read) and Sapiens A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari (more challenging read).Whats your 1 piece of advice for women who are looking for jobs right now? Make sure to use your network of mentors and sponsors in your search. Your results speak for themselves, but sponsors and advocates can speak even louder.Who is/was the most influential person in your life and why? My mom. She was a 3rdgeneration Idahoan raised on a farm who went off to university, graduated in Education, and went to the big city of Boise to teach English. She is well-read and wicked smart, and had a broad set of experiences teaching juniorin high, high school and university.My mom was a single mom for a while so our family didnt have much money, but we always knew about the world. It was because of her that I became an exchange student in Europe at 18, before going to university that year abroad living with a family, learning and traveling in new cultures and learning a new language not only str etched me out of my comfort zone, but showed me I could figure out how to do anything. My mom encouraged and fostered that trait in me, while anchoring me in sports, church, the outdoors and the idea that it is smart to remain humble.I live by the mantra to whom much is given, much is expected because of my mom. Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received? You can have it all, just not at the same time. Also, Make sure you take your seat at the table, which is one I use almost every day.What was the best quality of the best boss youve ever had? Trust and belief in me.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with HP Inc. Find a job there today