Inspirational Women Leaders Of Tech: Ford Motor Company’s Sondra Sutton Phung On The Five Things You Need To Know In Order To Create A Very Successful Tech Company
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Decisiveness. This is probably the most sought-after trait in a large organization as leaders in large companies can sometimes make “decisions by committee.” Leaders who make decisive decisions are valued by the team that supports them. The team can then accept that decision and act upon it. The team should still assess the pros and cons of an issue…that absolutely must be done. However, after assessments have been made, exuding a clear and confident position sets good leaders apart from good managers.
As a part of my series about “Lessons From Inspirational Women Leaders in Tech”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sondra Sutton Phung.
Sondra Sutton Phung led a team that delivered over $1B of profit for Ford Motor Company’s iconic SUV portfolio. Recently named Marketing General Manager for Electric Vehicles, she leveraged her STEM & HBCU education to create her transformational, data-driven marketing approach. Her perspective impacts millions in the Automotive Tech Industry. Sutton Phung is reducing the learning curve and sharing how leaders can accelerate their results. To learn more follow Sondra on Linkedin.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you so much for having me as your guest. My career path started with necessity and transformed into a wonderful set of experiences. The necessity was me realizing that an academic scholarship was the only way I could afford to go to college. Securing an academic STEM scholarship allowed me to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with zero debt.
While in my last year of graduate school, Ford offered me an opportunity to join their two-year rotational program. I said yes in the Fall of 1996 and started the following summer of 1997. Twenty-five years later, I am still enjoying the journey.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began at your company? The most interesting story? Let me think about that.
Let me think about that. I guess it would have to be how I was offered an international service assignment in Japan after two years at the company. I had no idea what to expect work-wise or culturally, but I was willing to take the leap of faith. In Japan, I experienced earthquakes for the first time….one LITERALLY woke me from my sleep. Nothing quite like an “earthquake wake-up” to make you realize that you aren’t in Michigan anymore.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I don’t think I’ve ever shared this, but when I was in my second year at Ford, I was assigned the task of securing a vehicle for a drive event. I’d only been on the job a few weeks, so I was not really clear about the process, but what I heard was, “Don needs the vehicle to be there at 8 am.” So I reached out to Don a few days in advance and said he already had transportation. He meant he has his car…not the car I was supposed to secure for the drive event! Epic fail on my part. My boss was livid. I learned a valuable lesson: never be afraid to ask questions to clarify an assignment.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Ford has a 119-year history of selling amazing products around the globe and is one of the most recognized brands in the world. You will often hear the term “Ford Family” used to describe its people. That term is so accurate. The people I have engaged with over the past 25 years have, in many cases, become my family; we have shared successes together and have been there for one another whenever help was needed.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Yes! I recently joined Ford’s Model e organization as the Marketing General Manager for the Mustang Mach-E brand. Nothing more exciting than a Mustang-inspired SUV powered by electricity! Being at the forefront of Ford’s electric revolution is beyond exciting… it’s game-changing!
Ok super. Thank you for all that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Are you currently satisfied with the status quo regarding women in STEM? What specific changes do you think are needed to change the status quo?
What excites me right now is seeing the growing diversity in STEM. We have more women and more minorities deciding to pursue STEM careers. With diverse representation comes more varied perspectives, leading to better business outcomes.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by women in STEM or Tech that aren’t typically faced by their male counterparts? What would you suggest to address this?
I believe the challenges for women in STEM resemble the challenges for women in other careers. That is:
- Confidence. We tend to second guess our abilities in STEM fields. We are just as capable as men, but we have to believe it.
- Advocacy. Secure an advocate….very different from a mentor. These people will need to believe in you enough to break down barriers that will inevitably exist in a large corporation.
- Wage Gap. This one is personal for me. Women, especially black women, have always faced pay gaps to their male counterparts. I have had pay adjustments twice in my career because I identified gaps in my pay versus men doing the same work. My advice is to know your worth and not be afraid to ask for it.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a woman in STEM or Tech. Can you explain what you mean?
The biggest myth is that “we just aren’t good at STEM subjects.” I have loved math and critical thinking all my life. My degrees are in mathematics, and I have taught math at community colleges. I firmly believe we have to tell our girls they can achieve anything….early and often. I practice this with my elementary school daughter now. She is willing to try anything, making me proud to be her mom.
What are your “5 Leadership Lessons I Learned From My Experience as a Woman in STEM or Tech?”
An effective leader is expected to have a laundry list of traits. However, the five qualities that I have appreciated most over my 25-year career are:
- Accountability. A good leader takes full responsibility for their team’s performance, whether positive or negative. When outcomes are positive, good leaders take the time to appreciate the team members who helped make it possible. When negative, that same leader takes the time to reflect on what they and the team could/should have done better and provides feedback on those learnings in a constructive way that keeps the team motivated.
- Adaptability. Being able to change plans and objectives at any time is key. No leader expected to have to deal with a pandemic for 2+ years, but the leaders that adapted quickly and learned how to thrive in a virtual environment are the ones who are winning. Taking on (whenever possible) a flexible approach from the start should always be a goal but when that is not possible, being able to problem-solve in real-time is critical. At Ford, we recently announced an organizational split of our EV and ICE-focused business units. This was a bold move by Ford..two distinct businesses working together to combine start-up speed with unbridled innovation.
- Decisiveness. This is probably the most sought-after trait in a large organization as leaders in large companies can sometimes make “decisions by committee.” Leaders who make decisive decisions are valued by the team that supports them. The team can then accept that decision and act upon it. The team should still assess the pros and cons of an issue…that absolutely must be done. However, after assessments have been made, exuding a clear and confident position sets good leaders apart from good managers.
- Great Communicator. Being able to deliver clear, concise, and tactful communications is a crucial leadership skill. Teams “lean in” to people who provide valuable information, ask for feedback, ask intelligent questions, and (as noted above) are decisive in what they want/need from an interaction.
- Empathy — Empathetic leaders can understand the needs of others, inclusive of being aware of their feelings and thoughts. In a market where unemployment is at an all-time low and resignations at an all-time high, this trait becomes even more valuable in helping to retain talent. I recently saw a stat in Forbes that notes how 50% of people with empathetic leaders felt their workplace was more inclusive and that 76% of people were more engaged. When people feel engaged, included, and understood, they stay longer and deliver better results.
What advice would you give to other women leaders to help their team to thrive?
I have found that successful teams tend to all have the following characteristics:
- They have clear goals and plans
- They have leaders that are accountable and decisive
- They collaborate effectively
- They resolve conflicts constructively
- They each have a clearly defined role to play
- They celebrate each other and the team’s success
What advice would you give to other women leaders about the best way to manage a large team?
1. Build relationships with the people you manage. Employees are more productive for managers they like.
2. Set clear goals and objectives, ensuring everyone understands the deliverable.
3. Empower your team to make decisions. Every decision can’t wait for your approval.
4. Ensure your team (at every level) has the resources they need to do the job.
5. Celebrate and reward a job well done.
6. Manage conflicts quickly and effectively
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
This answer is an easy one. Lawrence (Larry) H. Collins was the first person at Ford to truly advocate for me. When I applied for my first supervisor role, I was put on a “perform first plan.” I got the job but was given it at a salary grade lower than the actual position. Larry pulled me aside and said, “Look, I am about to throw so much work at you that you won’t be able to breathe….BUT in 6 months, I will go back to the same team that would not promote you to supervisor and tell them to make it right.” He was a man of his word, and I will be forever thankful for his advocacy for me.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
Paying it forward by helping those who did not have the advantage of a “roadmap to success.” For me, that means supporting 1st generation college students. I did not have the benefit of parents who worked in corporate America. I did not have a college-educated close family member. Every step of the way, I made the best choice I could, which sometimes meant I was not making the “best choice.” Now I mentor 1st Generation college students through our Ford First Gen program, an innovative new program aimed at improving graduation rates among first-generation college students. My goal is to help them stay motivated to complete college and help them feel prepared to enter the workforce confidently. Once they reach Ford or another employer, I also help them by being a mentor and advocate as they navigate a corporate environment for the first time. As I can attest to personally, this program can have generational impacts on a family, and I want to pay it forward to as many 1st Gen students as possible.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂 When I think of movements, I always think about basic needs that so many people are struggling to maintain: healthcare, food, shelter, and access to education. So for me, that would mean inspiring others to give back to those less fortunate. As Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Whenever I am feeling at my lowest, I think about my alma mater’s school motto: “Find a Way or Make One.” A simple and powerful message reminds me that; no matter how difficult the task, anything is achievable.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Well, if they see this and agree to lunch, I’ll happily do 3 more interviews with your team anytime you want. I adore smart, talented women who know their worth. Because of this, I would have to say Anita Hill. She was so brave to live in her truth in 1991, despite the horrible way she was treated at the time. I am happy that a woman as smart and talented as she is was able to weather the storm and become an ICON for women’s rights.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Inspirational Women Leaders Of Tech: Ford Motor Company’s Sondra Sutton Phung On The Five Things… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.