Shinie Shaw ─ Dynamic security leader with a reputation for bringing creative and effective solutions to tough problems…
June 7, 2022 • 3 Minute Read
Shinie Shaw
Senior Director of Networking & Security Strategy and Planning
VMware
Are you looking for a dynamic security leader with a reputation for bringing creative and effective solutions to tough problems? We know the person—Shinie Shaw!
Shinie Shaw is the Senior Director for Worldwide Networking & Security Strategy and Planning at VMware. Renowned for her leadership skills and strategic and operational excellence, she is motivated by continuously learning and tackling new challenges to help businesses grow. She has a reputation for bringing creative, effective, and efficient solutions to tough problems. Shinie received the Presidents Club Award from VMware in both 2021 and 2022 for recognition of her and her team’s outstanding efforts and sales results when she was the Director of Worldwide SDDC Sales GTM. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband Luke, and their 2 children Lilia and Liam, as well as their very vocal husky, Willow.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Shinie Shaw!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I’m terrified of heights, but on a whim during a trip to Sonoma, I signed up to go skydiving. It was beautiful and terrifying. Glad I did it, and glad to never do it again.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I had a stretch goal of 50K miles. Since the pandemic, it’s been zero.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Ant eggs in Mexico City.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
My first time managing a team taught me a lot about the personal aspects of leadership. My team contained people with very different levels of experience. I didn’t fully appreciate this, and it was a hard realization that I was stymying my team by adopting a uniform management approach.
Last year, I led a sales team as an interim leader. It was hard, high-pressure, time-consuming… and I had no prior sales experience. I learned a ton and gained so much perspective. Despite having a team that was at roughly ⅓ capacity, we ended up outperforming the broader organization in quota attainment that quarter.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Early in my career, I worked for Eaton Aerospace, and I inherited our F-35 fighter jet contract with Lockheed, which was woefully behind schedule. I gave a project update to Lockheed, and their buyer responded brutally, telling me that I was worthless and that I personally would be responsible for losing the company hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts. When my manager learned about it, he called the buyer on speaker and told him that his behavior was unacceptable. This was a watershed moment for me in demonstrating the power of leaders standing up for their people and facing down bullies, even if it meant risking a customer relationship.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
I would remind my younger self that we work to live, we don’t live to work. I would encourage her to make space for a life outside of work and to not feel guilty about enjoying it.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I strive to help those that are earlier in their careers. I’ve hosted women’s career circles for various companies I’ve worked at, become involved in recruiting and interview prep for undergrad and grad students at my alma mater, and worked with a number of individuals who have proactively reached out to me for career guidance.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Working with my kids to create a business, KidzCre8, at our local kids’ business fair. They recycled crayons by melting them into letters. It was awesome to see them evolve their pitch from simply asking for purchases to selling experiences and value tailored to the people they were talking to.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I’m working on building common vision aligned to organizational outcomes. There is always more to do than can be done, and it is imperative that the team is able to prioritize their work in the context of larger goals so that they can make trade-offs without seeking constant guidance.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
COVID has brought with it dramatic changes to how and where we work. I’ve worked hard to set and respect boundaries for myself and for my team, and I have asked my team to do the same.
