Tiffany Wright ─ leveraging digital transformation to re-imagine education and learning outcomes
February 16, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Tiffany Wright
Education Director
Microsoft Australia
Are you looking for an experienced technology leader who is leveraging digital transformation to re-imagine education and learning outcomes? We know the person—Tiffany Wright!
Tiffany is currently the Education Director for Microsoft Australia where, together with her team, she is focused on helping educational institutions re-imagine education to achieve better learning outcomes through digital transformation. An experienced IT veteran leader in the APAC region, she has over 20 years of success in a range of roles spanning sales, technology specialisations, and partner and distribution channels. She is also the mum of three gorgeous children.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™—Tiffany Wright!
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?
That one of my favourite things to do is turn up the music really loudly and dance around the house like a maniac with my 3 kids (and my husband).
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Too many! I am really enjoying that neither my husband nor I have travelled for almost a year.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Crocodile at a restaurant in Johannesburg.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
One of the key experiences that shaped my career is having children. Having kids made me more determined to show them an example of a female who could have both a happy and healthy family life, and a challenging and enjoyable career if they choose to do so. It also forced me to find the right balance in my life and not become all consumed by work.
The second point is not a specific single experience; however, I would say my journey has been largely shaped by putting my hand up for opportunities that push me outside of my comfort zone. Whenever I start to think to myself that I am comfortable, I look for new experiences that will test me and even scare me a little (or a lot!).
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?
Rather than formal mentors, I have had coaches and sponsors in my career. I have benefitted from people who saw opportunities for me to contribute my existing skills and believed in my ability to develop other skills as needed. I tend to seek out coaches rather than mentors as I feel I learn better when my own thinking is challenged.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Be braver, more curious and stay humble.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I look to have a balance of experience across my teams, which helps everyone learn from each other. Early in career team members bring fresh ideas and ask questions more seasoned resources have stopped asking, whilst at the same time gaining advice and coaching from those with more years of experience. I also love the idea of ‘reverse mentoring’ and look to draw on the perspectives and experiences of early in career team members in my own thinking.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I came to Microsoft to set up a new Digital Sales organisation for the Asia region. This was an incredible opportunity to build an organisation from the ground up and really test my assumptions and assertions on what makes a truly successful team. Over 3 years, the organisation grew to nearly 200 team members and successfully demonstrated a new way of working with our customers.
And then, just when I thought it couldn’t get more interesting, I took the opportunity to lead the Education business in Australia at the beginning of February 2020, just before things really kicked off with Covid19. These unprecedented times have really tested me personally and professionally.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
My current focus is on coaching for top performance: how do I engender an authentic coaching culture within my team and how do I coach even more effectively to really lift all team contributors into performing to their best capability.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Ensuring employees, customers and communities have the digital skills needed for the future.
