Stacey Cunningham

Our new episode of A Call to Lead is my interview with Stacey Cunningham. Stacey started at the New York Stock Exchange as an intern, quit to go to culinary school, did a stint at rival NASDAQ, returned—and rose through the ranks to become the NYSE's first-ever female president. That's an unconventional path to the top job (yes, "president" is the top position at the NYSE), and Stacey is leading the 227-year-old company in unconventional and new ways. She's full of career advice and leadership wisdom.

Here are five things that Stacey said and my team and I found particularly valuable:

1. Leadership and management are not the same thing. So being able to contribute to the path forward doesn't mean I have to have X number of people reporting in to me, so my organization is bigger. 16:43

2. Be yourself. If I can do my job in my own skin, that's much easier. I think society is becoming a little more welcoming to that. 20:20

3. Never waste a hire. Always hire the best player you can get—and someone better than you. 21:21

4. When I think about the skills you have to have as a leader, you don't have to have them all within yourself. You have to have them within your team. 20:52

5. Make sure that you're not such a key critical person that I can't give you an opportunity to go do something new because I can't take you out of the job you're in. 21:55

Make sure you tune into the NYSE's very own podcast, Inside the Ice House! It's full of great conversations with inspiring leaders and I know you'll love it: https://www.theice.com/insights/conversations/inside-the-ice-house

You can learn more by visiting: www.sap.com/acalltolead. Tweet me @JenniferBMorgan and use the hashtag #acalltolead or e-mail us at [email protected].