SHE LEADS – with Patrice Mantovani
Welcome to a new series where we talk to real women and hear more about their lives and receive authentic advice for our Girl Talk family and community.
Thank you so much to our very first She Leads interviewee, Patrice Mantovani, an IT Business Analyst at Cox Enterprises. We appreciate her time and loved learning more about her!
What would you tell your younger self?
Determine what you love to do and your unique contribution to the world and go do that. The money will come.
What was your major in college and how did you get to the position you are in today?
Management Information Systems and Business Administration. While still in college I got an internship at Chrysler Corporate in their IT department and it really helped me for after I graduated and was looking for a job since I already had real-life experience.
What was your inspiration and what helped you become successful? How do you define success?
You make a difference! Success is generously sharing your unique gifts, talents and experience with the community to make the world a better place.
How do you balance your work and personal life? Often times one has more importance, and we’re curious to know how you’ve handled the balance.
Balance is an illusion. Face it, you will always be focusing your attention in ways that are not balance. What’s more important is staying calm and taking care of yourself when you go through rough times or take on more than you really can handle.
What is your favorite quote?
“Everybody has a calling. And your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you were meant to be, and to begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself.” ― Oprah Winfrey
What’s your favorite part of your job and why?
I always have to learn new things because technology evolves quickly and there is always something new to learn.
What is your favorite hobby?
Yoga.
What advice do you want to give the next generation of women leaders?
You get to choose. You always have a choice in every moment. You get to pick the life you want to live.
What does leadership mean to you?
Make a difference! Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal.
What’s your advice on mentoring?
Seek out mentors (plural) to guide you. Mentor others to give back to your community.
What’s your favorite ice cream?
Mint chocolate chip.
Is there any other information that you think Girl Talk members would benefit from?
You are the only you this world will ever know. Your unique combination of personality, skills, natural and learned abilities are a valuable gift to this world. Figure out what your contribution is and go do it!