In our “Ask me anything” series, Dell Technologies executives sit down with rising talent to answer questions about their career journeys, work-life balance and advice that’s guided them. Here, Jen Felch, chief digital officer and CIO, chats with Megan Wylie, software analyst.
Megan Wylie: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self, whether it be personal or professional?
Jen Felch: I would tell my younger self to speak up more, even if you don’t think you’re right. Sometimes the biggest hurdle is finding the confidence to share what’s on your mind, and if you can find that inner confidence, you’ll unlock worthwhile opportunities and innovations.
What was the thing that really inspired you—as a young person—to get into technology?
I’ve always enjoyed all aspects of math and science. And I love to build things. That combination led me to engineering. Technology is fascinating and exciting, and we have the chance to work on innovative, cutting-edge solutions every day that impact our communities. A lot of what we do at Dell Digital is listening, learning how to solve problems and building solutions—and that’s what I love about working in technology.
How do you interpret success and continue striving for success?
One interpretation of success, which stems from my background in product management, is problem-solving. If we have defined, analyzed, and solved for a problem, that’s success for me.
The other aspect of success is around creating a place for people of all backgrounds to grow and thrive. When we have a work environment that fosters respect and inclusivity and encourages open and honest communication where we can all innovate and participate, that’s a huge success too.
Success is like a muscle that you have to continue strengthening, like a professional athlete would do. It’s also important to stay motivated and focused, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. Stay connected to your “why”—your underlying motivation or purpose for achieving success.
How do you feel traits like empathy and vulnerability play a role in your leadership?
It’s simple—if you don’t care about the people you’re working with and build those relationships, it’s hard to lead them. It’s about creating a culture that’s not only productive and effective but also supportive, compassionate and inclusive. And you have to ensure your actions reflect your ability to connect with team members, understand their needs and build trust. Vulnerability demonstrates that it’s okay to make mistakes. What’s important for leaders is how they react when things go wrong or obstacles arise. This is where the door opens to continuous improvement and innovation.
Could you briefly talk about your first role at Dell and how it contributed to where you are today?
Surprisingly, my first role at Dell wasn’t in IT. When I joined the company, I was helping facilitate decisions for the IT roadmap for the global operations team. I learned a lot about financial business cases, but more importantly, I learned how the company operated. It was a great opportunity to see how the company was working toward global processes and systems. Seeing how much goes into those decisions prepared me for the role I’m in today.
To regain confidence, focus on things that have gone well. And if you make a mistake, acknowledge it, correct it, reflect on what went wrong and how you can avoid repeating it, and move on. It’s all part of the learning process.
—Jen Felch, chief digital officer and CIO, Dell Technologies
When you doubt yourself, how do you regain confidence?
Self-reflection is a powerful tool. When I have doubts or uncertainties about a decision, I start by outlining the pros and cons and try to take any emotions out of the equation.
To regain confidence, focus on things that have gone well. And if you make a mistake, acknowledge it, correct it, reflect on what went wrong and how you can avoid repeating it, and move on. It’s all part of the learning process.
With technology changing and shifting, what is your advice for the IT workforce as they ready themselves for the future?
Stay current with emerging technologies and always keep learning. Take advantage of learning courses, attend training programs, track the latest trends, ask for feedback and seek out opportunities to learn new skills and improve your current ones. I’m an experiential learner, so I like to encourage hands-on experience as much as possible.
Talk to your peers and others about what they’re doing, what’s working for them and what isn’t. It’s also a great way to network.
How do you continue to develop and grow while leading?
My mantra is, “If you want to change the world, become a better listener.” Everyone brings their unique perspective to the table, so to grow, continue to listen and learn. I read a lot, too, and that gives me new ways of thinking about things. Also, having a network of people around you that support you, give you confidence to speak up and give you real-time, contextual feedback on when you do things wrong, is so important.
I love to experiment with technology, and I have two teenage sons who keep me on my toes and give me feedback 24/7 on my experiments. That helps too!
Read more “Ask me anything” interviews.