E59: Balancing Workload and Leadership as a Woman in Tech Management

This week we were joined by Rebecca, a Team Leader for NEXT Finance systems to share her journey from team member to manager in the world of tech, sharing real insights and tips for anyone stepping into leadership roles. Hear firsthand experiences on tackling new responsibilities, building team connections, and embracing confidence as a leader. Subscribe for more episodes with inspiring stories from the NEXT team! 00:00 Intro 00:30 Becky’s Role at NEXT 01:15 Managing Payment Systems at NEXT 02:10 Early Days and Career Path 02:55 University and Cybersecurity Background 04:05 Choosing a Hands-On Field of Study 05:00 Internship Experience at Next 06:00 Discovering Career Opportunities Through Internships 07:10 Career Evolution within NEXT 08:20 Why People Stay at NEXT 09:00 The Many Roles within NEXT's Tech and Retail Departments 09:45 Building a Career Through Internal Growth 10:30 Continued Work During University 11:20 Transition from Placement to Full-Time Role 12:05 Becoming a Manager 13:00 Mentorship and Internal Promotion Culture at Next 13:40 Long-Term Growth at NEXT 15:00 Adjusting to Management Responsibilities 16:12 Balancing Awareness Without Micromanagement 17:25 Communicating Upwards with Confidence 18:30 Favourite Aspects of Management 19:43 Team Size and Onboarding Challenges 20:48 Learning and Explaining Company-Specific Systems 22:00 Adapting Internal Communication for Clarity 23:12 Advice for New Starters: Ask and Listen 24:40 Reflecting on Active Listening and Its Importance 25:50 Early Management Growth 27:03 Leaning on the Team’s Knowledge 28:15 Building a Supportive and Collaborative Team Culture 29:12 Final Thoughts on Management Progression 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more podcast episodes from NEXT! Pursue your ambition and join the NEXT team → https://careers.next.co.uk/ Follow us! Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatnext TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lifeatnext Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifeatnext LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/lifeatnext