It’s Women’s History Month, and all month long, we’ve been spotlighting incredible women in Tech on our Twitter and Linkedin page. Today, we’re bringing you an extended highlight of one of the most impressive women in tech today – Anneleen Demasure, CEO of Belgium-based digital experience agency Dropsolid.
Read on to hear Anneleen’s thoughts on being a woman in technology and her advice for other women who want to enter the field!
Drupal Association: What's it like to be a woman in technology?
Anneleen Demasure: Good question, as I do not think it is about woman versus man or about technological versus creative industries. For me, it is all about balance between male and female energy. The world these days is so complex that it needs both male and female energy.
I am most enjoying my time as a woman in technology when all different energies can flow in respect of each other. When my own male and female energy is in balance and stress is under control, I feel I can support the team and the company best, and that makes me happy.
I am lucky to work in a technological company, Dropsolid, where there is openness, transparency and both female and male energy on all levels which makes it much easier to address unbalances.
DA: What keeps you motivated in your career in technology?
AD: An important starting point for me is the psychological safety to be yourself at any time. Everyone has talents and personal strengths, but all strengths also have downsides to them. Feeling appreciated with your ups and your downs is crucial to flourish.
Next to that, the autonomy and freedom to be allowed to change things, the connection with colleagues, and making progress together keeps me motivated.
Often in technology, you're building something big together: when a team succeeds in doing that, it surely gives a boost.
DA: What's your favorite aspect of working in tech and/or Drupal?
AD: I guess what is precious to me is the feeling of jointly creating and developing something new which makes a customer happy (because it is of important value to them).
The co-creation, the joy of working together, and the impact are my favourite aspects of working in tech.
Too often, we see technology as wireframes or code or design where, in the end, they are (vital) solutions for people to be helped, to be heard, to find their way, to be unburdened...
All good technology should have this bigger purpose: a housing platform helps people to find a new home, a hospital platform helps people to find the right medical services, a tourism platform inspires you for your next holiday... So it is not about the perfect code or design but about what it brings to people in their daily life. At Dropsolid, Drupal is the means to accomplish this. And the fact that it's open without lock-in, makes it even better.
DA: What advice do you have for aspiring women business leaders?
AD: Whatever situation or crisis you're in, never lose your female energy as one of your drivers. We are dominantly trained and learned to take action and talk, but it often helps to step back and listen to yourself and to others. Finally, always trust your inner voice - it will not betray you.
We cannot thank Anneleen enough for chatting with us and giving such fantastic advice! For more from Anneleen, check out her recent blog post on Dropsolid.com, ‘A plea for wider inclusion and more feminine energy’.