The year 2020 has presented unique challenges and interruptions across all aspects of our lives, but it does not stop us from celebrating the various accomplishments and achievements of women leaders of color! Throughout the month of August, we will spotlight these amazing women and share their unique perspectives, philosophies, and stories.

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Thear Suzuki is Americas Consulting Talent Leader for Ernst & Young (EY). She is responsible for innovating and leading comprehensive programs, creating a work environment for over 20,000 professionals to grow their careers and achieve their goals. EY’s motto is “Building a Better Working World”, fitting in perfectly with Thear’s passions to build leadership and philanthropic capacity within others.

Aside from her work, she is enthusiastic in giving back to her community. She serves on several boards, including: the Texas Women’s Foundation Board, the Economic Leadership Council, the Orchid Giving Circle, the SMU Lyle Engineering School Executive Board, the Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum Board, and many others. Thear is also a 2019 Presidential Leadership Scholar and will be recognized with the Women Leaders in Consulting Future Leader Award, Wing’s Mentors & Allies Award, Each Moment Matters Award, and 2019 Nomi Network Abolitionist Award.

Thear has been an inspiration for many people in her community, and she had this piece of advice to offer when we reached out about her journey to success:

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Throughout your leadership journey, from your first job to your current position, what are some key lessons you’ve learned that have shaped you as a leader?

Thear Suzuki: Attack the issue and not the people. The majority of my career has been working with diverse teams from different organizations to solve large scale and complex technology program delivery. They were hard projects… timelines were always tight, multi-million dollars at stake, and the stress levels were incredibly high. In my early 30s I was picked by a client to be the leader for one of these programs… his advice to me was to attack the issue and not the people. That advice helped me work through the most difficult of teaming challenges, earn the respect and trust of more experienced team members, and in the process, build lifelong relationships. We are constantly problem solving in our personal and professional lives… keeping this top of mind will serve us all well. This key lesson has been useful in the workplace as well as at home!

Oftentimes, a fear of failure can prevent us from taking risks to move forward. Can you recall a failure that you were able to pivot into a growth opportunity and/or success?

TS: Show up, engage, and speak up. Earlier in my career I viewed myself as not as smart as others and that I was lucky to get the job. I was heads down, worked hard, and didn’t think I had anything valuable to offer in meetings. I had a strong case of fear of failure. When I was a manager, at a technical vendor bake-off, where I was in the audience, a mentor sitting next to me nudged me to ask a question. I was half way paying attention to the presentation, wasn’t really interested in the subject matter, and I had zero desire to ask a question. For over 20 minutes, this mentor persisted. I was very nervous. I can still feel the heat rising in my body as I recollect this story. I managed to get a question out and after the workshop, I received a compliment or two from colleagues. That experience was a turning point for me… I made a personal commitment to pay attention, engage, and ask a question or make a meaningful comment whether in a meeting of 5 people or 5000. I have done that ever since and it has helped to build my confidence and raise my visibility.

What podcasts are you listening to?

TS: Work Life – Adam Grant.

Having a “daily routine for success” has been shown to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. Do you have a daily routine?

TS: Daily routine: Radio Headspace… just 5 minutes first thing in the morning, lunch and dinner with family at the same time, and nightly swim.