The modern era of business represents a time of both uncertainty and opportunity for women. Many new jobs are opening up, along with a number of executive positions, but it takes more than just a resume to secure a place in the evolving future of technology. Those opportunities will go to the women who recognize the strength of their abilities.

To gain some understanding of the challenges women face in this new environment, John Furrier (@furrier), cohost of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, spoke to Stella Low and Susan Tardanico at the EMC World 2016 conference. Low is VP of global communications at EMC, and Tardanico is CEO of The Authentic Leadership Alliance and executive in residence at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Leaning into change

The conversation started with a view of how women can take advantage of the present situation. Low said she would focus on how to modernize and direct one’s career in this sea of change. Tardanico agreed, asking how does one lean into that change? Look at your potential, she said, with a different lens. Look at the value of one’s transferable skill sets.

It is really important, Low said, that women consider their careers right now. Only a very few of the latest CEO ascensions were women, she said, and there are less women learning about tech now than in the 1980s. “We need to change this course,” she stated.

Fear and perfection

Women are scared to go into areas that are unknown, Low said, because they’re worried about making mistakes. We need to share that it’s OK to make mistakes. Men will apply for a job if they do even a percentage of what’s on the application, Low said. Women will give up if they can’t do the vast majority of things on the list. That sort of response needs to change.

So many women stop short when it comes to having the confidence to start again if things don’t work, Tardanico said. There’s a need to be incredibly strategic in this environment. A strategy provides power and confidence, she said. Women should be clear on the goals for their lives, but also willing to make a new choice and begin again, she advised.

Watch the full video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of EMC World 2016.

Photo by SiliconANGLE