Darlana Lee: Navigating the Challenges of Being a “Covid Leader”

For most of her career, Darlana Lee, Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) Head of Leadership & Culture Development and Delivery, was an informal leader. She describes herself as the person who would “rally the team” and who others would joke was their leader without being their designated leader.?

If you’ve ever spoken to Darlana, it’s obvious why her colleagues look to her for leadership: Darlana is self-reflective and cares deeply about others.??

Being an authentic leader?

Darlana began her career with HPE 21 years ago as a technical consultant. She was one of three women on a floor of about 200 men and one of the youngest professionals in her client’s department. Darlana is grateful that the gender mix in the technical workforce has improved greatly over the years, while she recognizes there are still areas for improvement.??

To prove herself in the early days of her career, Darlana learned to demonstrate what she calls “calm confidence.” This calm confidence has served her well and supported her as she moved into HR and took on ever-expanding roles within HPE.?

When asked to share about her role models, Darlana states that she has worked with many leaders and learned something from each of them. She always asks herself, “What do I appreciate about this person?”?

Darlana says that you can learn from everyone whether the lessons are what to do or what not to do to be effective. However, she also cautions, “Don’t mimic your role models. Decide who you are and lead as your authentic self.”?

Darlana describes herself as “empathetic, understanding, supportive, and driven.” She explains that her drive is focused on helping her teammates, and not necessarily herself, get to their next level.?

Making tough decisions?

Darlana became the Head of Leadership & Culture Development and Delivery during the Covid pandemic. When she first got offered the role, she was hesitant to accept it. Darlana’s support network of peers encouraged her to take the position, which changed things for her significantly.??

Soon after taking on the new role, Darlana had to implement layoffs. In some cases, the people she was laying off were the same people who supported and encouraged her to step into this new leadership position. Darlana admitted that was the hardest thing she’s had to do as a leader.?

Darlana tapped into her empathy as a leader to navigate this challenging transition.?

Creating your support network?

As a leader, Darlana could not discuss some of the challenges she was facing with her former confidants. In some cases, the people she had confided in were now her direct reports and not privy to confidential information. Fortunately for Darlana, she has a supportive spouse and strong network of friends outside of HPE, along with existing relationships with a few key members of her new peer group who she could lean on as she developed broader connections with other leaders at her level.?

Choosing your personal leadership journey?

When asked what she has learned on her personal leadership journey, Darlana offers the following advice to aspiring leaders:?

• Speak up; don’t wait to be called on?
• Lean in and challenge yourself?
• Network and talk to as many people as you can?
• Talk to other leaders about their journeys so you can learn and see what’s possible for yourself?
• Know you’re capable; apply for the job even if you don’t check all the boxes?

Interested in learning more from Darlana? Join NIIT Principal Consultant Pooja Singh Mehta, Darlana, and the panel of other women leaders for “From Glass Slippers to Glass Ceilings | Celebrating Women Leaders in Learning” on March 30, 2022 at 10 a.m.? Eastern time. Click here to register.?