Penny Herscher.jpgMegan Muir.jpgCONTRIBUTED BY
Megan Muir

Penny Herscher, President and CEO of FirstRain, a search-driven business and analytics research firm, has a recent blog post that summarizes a talk she gave to women leaders of a hardcore semiconductor company in the Valley.  She’s talking from what she knows – she started out as an R&D engineer at TI – and has held leadership positions in tech companies for nearly 20 years.

Her 5 keys to leadership as a woman in tech (although her ideas are not exclusive to women or tech) are excerpted below.  Read the full piece and other entries on her blog The Grassy Road.

1. Embrace making decisions

“Companies need people who are decisive and courageous.  A common issue with new entrepreneurs and young managers is that they hesitate to make decisions.  It’s tough when you don’t know what to do, but it’s better to make a decision quickly and decisively, and be ready to change it if you are wrong, than to hesitate, hash it over many times, or wait for someone else (your board, your team, your boss) – or even worse time and delay – to make it for you.”

Trust yourself and your judgment, and surround yourself with strong, smart people you trust who will challenge you when you are wrong.Continue Reading Penny Herscher – Thoughts on Leadership for Women in Tech