'The Planet and Me' webinar: Boosting leadership skills for the modern challenges with Sylvia Acevedo

The Planet and Me webinar series boosts your professional skills with insights and advice from industry leaders, for today's fast-paced work environment. In our first episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Sylvia Acevedo to explore how high-impact leadership can transform your career and remind us that “no” is often just the beginning of a negotiation. A tech executive, author, engineer, and former rocket scientist, Acevedo’s career spans NASA, Dell, Apple, and the Girl Scouts USA boardroom.

What are the leadership skills needed to navigate the challenges of the global, dynamic work environment?

Watch the episode here:

Her story offers practical leadership lessons for professionals at all levels to apply. Acevedo’s journey began with selling Girl Scout cookies, where she learned early lessons in persistence and negotiation that would shape her entire career:

• The “three no’s rules”: “My Girl Scout troop leader taught me to never walk away from a sale until you hear ‘no’ three times.” Sylvia used this practice throughout her career to find common ground and turn a no into a yes.
• Leadership vs. management: Sylvia shared how, after exceeding expectations at a company, she realized that leadership is not just about being a great manager. It is about navigating the unknown and innovating in uncharted territory.
• Aligning with strategy: Exceeding expectations is not enough. Sylvia says you must also articulate how your work aligns with the company’s broader strategy. “When I did this,” she said, “doors opened that never had been opened before.”
• Continuous learning is another cornerstone of Sylvia’s approach. She focuses on acquiring new skills, understanding company challenges, and staying adaptable in an evolving environment. A key aspect of this is the ability to communicate your value. Sylvia believes it is essential to align your work with the bigger picture and make your contributions visible, especially when seeking growth or promotion.

Sylvia’s career highlights how persistence, strategic thinking, and effective communication help leaders break through barriers. At Cummins, these principles are essential to fostering resilient, forward-thinking teams that drive progress. Watch the webinar episode here to hear Sylvia’s insights on career advancement and turning setbacks into success.