Female leadership in technology: lessons from the Skill Group

In today's corporate landscape, where data, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence are accelerating business at an unprecedented pace, one element remains a major competitive differentiator: the human factor.

To explore how purposeful leadership, Customer Experience (CX), and governance intertwine in the technology market, the podcast Elas em Tech, in episode 08, featured Bárbara Santos and Jéssica Amaral, managing partners of Grupo Skill.

The episode featured a conversation about the challenges of digital transformation, the importance of an authentic ESG culture, and above all, the strength and challenges of female leadership in a historically male-dominated sector.

The journey: from operational to strategic leadership

Building corporate authority begins with practical experience.

Jéssica Amaral has 13 years of experience at Grupo Skill. She began her career as a receptionist and today is responsible for the company's commercial and financial areas.

Bárbara Santos, in turn, began her career as a consultant implementing payroll systems. Later, she managed external teams and, seeking a more dynamic and people-focused role, took on the area of ​​strategic relationship management for the company.

This trajectory demonstrates that leadership doesn't necessarily begin with an initial hierarchical position. It's built through experience, the ability to take on new responsibilities, and an increasingly broad understanding of the business.

Female leadership in technology and overcoming "imposter syndrome"

The technology market is undergoing a structural change. Unlike the scenario a decade ago, today it is increasingly common to find qualified women occupying leadership positions in IT.

The Skill Group is an example of this transformation. The company is led by a female CEO and has a team that is predominantly composed of women.

During the episode, Jéssica Amaral highlighted this change when discussing women's relationship with the technology environment:

Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. Among them is the so-called "imposter syndrome," associated with self-criticism and the pressure for perfection that has historically affected female professionals.

To overcome this barrier and take on decisive positions, one of the recommendations presented in the episode is to rely on courage and authenticity.

Authenticity not only strengthens leadership but also contributes to building credibility without the need to replicate the behaviors or leadership styles of others.

Read also: Women in technology and the data age: how female leadership drives innovation

Customer Experience: the technology that liberates humanity

A strategic focus on data, automation, and innovation does not eliminate the importance of human relationships. On the contrary: technology can actually free people from operational tasks so they can dedicate their time to activities related to business growth.

At Grupo Skill, this vision is also present in the way the company approaches Customer Experience (CX).

The customer experience doesn't end with the technical delivery. It's necessary to follow their journey, understand their pain points, and continuously identify where the company can step in.

As Bárbara Santos explains:

This approach requires a consultative approach and a deep understanding of each organization's context. From this understanding, it becomes possible to offer comprehensive solutions and build strategic alliances capable of generating value throughout the relationship.

This proximity is also one of the elements that sustain retention and strengthen trust in the technology market.

The challenge of time in the age of innovation and Artificial Intelligence

For leaders and managers, time has become one of the most valuable assets and, at the same time, one of the biggest pains of the corporate routine.

The speed of technological transformations demands that professionals keep up with new tools, trends, and application possibilities, while remaining responsible for executing essential management processes.

The arrival of new Artificial Intelligence tools further amplifies this challenge. It is necessary to find a balance between exploring new technologies and maintaining efficient operations.

In this scenario, continuous learning becomes part of the routine for those who lead technology teams and businesses

ESG in practice: governance and actions that engage

The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goes beyond institutional discourse.

At Grupo Skill, ESG practices are part of internally structured initiatives. The company maintains an ESG committee and promotes awareness campaigns among employees.

Among the initiatives are the replacement of disposable materials and symbolic engagement actions, such as planting and monitoring four-leaf clovers.

More than isolated initiatives, these actions help transform sustainability into part of the organizational culture and bring the concept of ESG closer to the daily lives of employees.

The flip side: how do female leaders recharge their energy?

Maintaining a high level of performance in the B2B technology market also requires finding opportunities outside of the professional routine.

For the leaders of the Skill Group, personal activities serve as a way to maintain focus, balance, and resilience in the face of market pressures.

Music plays an important role in this process. One of the leaders performs as a vocalist in an all-female band, an experience that also helps her overcome the natural fear of exposure and the stage.

Family ties also emerge as an important source of emotional balance and help in coping with the pressures of the professional environment.

Technology, people, and alliances for growth

Digital transformation does n't happen simply by adopting new technologies. It depends on the combination of innovation, people, culture, and relationships.

The career paths of Bárbara Santos and Jéssica Amaral demonstrate how different professional experiences can contribute to building a more strategic and human leadership style.

In a constantly transforming technology market, companies also need to choose the right allies to sustain their growth. In this context, the Skill Group highlights the importance of long-standing alliances, such as the partnership with Skyone.

Listen to the full episode of Elas in Tech

Want to learn more about female leadership, Customer Experience, innovation, ESG, and the challenges of working in the technology market?

🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Elas em Tech podcast on Spotify and check out the stories and lessons learned by Bárbara Santos and Jéssica Amaral, from Grupo Skill.

Written by Skyone