‘Your Voice’ is back! This series features the women leaders of Tech Data, a TD SYNNEX company. Launched by the Asia Pacific and Japan DEI council, this initiative is dedicated to raise the voices of the many talented women in our organization, share their stories, experiences and valuable insights.
The voice you’ll hear in this edition is Nadine Lane, Country Manager for New Zealand, who has been with Tech Data for 17 years. Originally from Melbourne, Nadine is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching the Australian Football League (AFL) and tennis, as well as cycling with her Jack Russel, Barney.
As this edition’s ‘Voice’, Nadine shares insights on her career journey and offers advice for aspiring leaders.
Q: How did you start your career at Tech Data?
My roots in Tech Data started when I joined Alstom IT. A recruiter reached out to me while I was working at a system integrator. After a great interview with the branch manager, I made the decision to join the company. I was so excited about the opportunity! What’s even more remarkable is that I am still friends with the branch manager to this day.
Despite the company undergoing several acquisitions and rebrands — from Alstom IT to ITX Group, to Avnet Technology Solutions and finally as Tech Data — I’ve remained a part of the Tech Data family for 17 years and counting.
Q: What do you enjoy about your role?
What I enjoy the most is working with the talented and dedicated team at Tech Data, as well as collaborating with our esteemed vendors and partners. I also relish the challenges that come with the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of the business and IT ecosystem, as well as enjoy the buzz of winning. It is rewarding to navigate and overcome these challenges and ultimately contribute to the success of our vendors and partners.
Q: What inspires you as a leader?
As a leader, I take pride in being able to foster people’s growth and success. I am committed to supporting my team members in achieving their targets and reaching their full potential. Simply put, I would like to see people develop to their full potential at Tech Data.
Q: Have there been key leaders at Tech Data who have inspired you? How did they inspire?
I draw inspiration from past mentors, leaders and co-workers who have set amazing examples for me to follow. One manager stood out to me by acting as a buffer between his team and senior management, as he recognized that he was ultimately responsible for their performance. Another manager inspired me with their exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ), using it effectively to align everyone towards the same shared goals.
I have also witnessed how individual contributors can inspire not only their peers but also the leadership team. I recall one instance where a co-worker had an innate ability to sense the pulse of the people around them, providing insightful feedback to the leadership team that led to a positive change.
Drawing from these experiences, I strive to lead by example and empower my team to succeed.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring leaders?
If you aspire to a leadership role, I urge you to adopt a listening and learning mindset. Actively seek out and listen to the opinions and experiences of those around you and strive to learn from them. You must also embrace every opportunity that comes your way as saying yes to new challenges can broaden your skills and experiences, helping you to develop into a more versatile leader. Lastly, reframe setbacks as valuable learning experiences which will make you stronger and more resilient.
