At PeopleConnect, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We don’t just talk about development and diversity — we actively promote and practice it. As part of our ongoing efforts to support inclusion, we recently partnered with Women Coders, an organization dedicated to empowering women in STEM careers.

Together, we hosted a “Thursday Thrive” event focused on authentic leadership for women in STEM. The event featured Lauren Settle, PeopleConnect’s Front-End Engineering Manager and Sr. Software Engineer. She shared her insights on what makes a successful leader and how to remain authentic while managing multiple priorities in work and life.

The Challenges for Women in STEM

The tech industry continues to be a male-dominated field, with women significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. Worldwide, women hold only 29.9% of senior STEM roles and just 12.4% of executive roles. Obstacles for women include gender biases, a lack of mentorship or sponsorship, and imposter syndrome — challenges Lauren herself also faced.

Overcoming these barriers requires a concerted effort to create a more inclusive industry, which is why the work of organizations like Women Coders is crucial. Lauren’s own career path is an inspiring example of overcoming such obstacles to achieve success.

Lauren’s Journey to Leadership

When Lauren first graduated college, she didn’t know the first thing about coding. In fact, her first role involved cold calling business owners to convince them to advertise on Yelp. When confronted with technical questions about Yelp’s platform, Lauren’s initial response was to deflect. Then, she thought to herself, “What if I could understand how it works?”

That single question led Lauren to where she is today as our Engineering Manager and Sr. Software Engineer. Throughout her tech career, she’s met her fair share of good and bad leaders. When her mentor asked if she’d ever considered management, Lauren’s imposter syndrome acted up. But, she decided to approach management the same way she’d approached software engineering: she jumped in and didn’t look back.

As a leader of six talented engineers at PeopleConnect, Lauren has developed a strong understanding of what makes a successful leader. She knows firsthand the challenges women face in leadership roles, whether it’s the pressure to be perfect or the fear of failure. She cited imposter syndrome as one of her biggest limiters — an obstacle that more than half of young women reported struggling with in 2023. But, as Lauren points out, bad leadership isn’t making mistakes — it’s failing to be authentic with your team.

How to Become a Female Leader in STEM

Think back to your favorite boss, teacher, or mentor: why were they your favorite? When Lauren posed this question to the members of Women Coders, the answers included:

• “Down to earth”
• “Sincere”
• “Self-aware”
• “Composed in times of pressure”
• “Honest”

Honesty, integrity, and sincerity are crucial to leadership development. Our most cherished leaders understand the intersection of authenticity and leadership and how it leads to success. By sharing personal experiences or vulnerabilities, leaders can foster trust and inspire their teams.

10 Key Lessons in Leadership

Ultimately, effective leadership isn’t about perfection but about being genuine and open to learning. Based on her experiences, Lauren offers 10 essential leadership principles:

Don’t believe everything you hear.

Challenge assumptions (even your own) and form your own opinions.

It’s okay (and sometimes necessary) to fail.

As we like to say here at PeopleConnect, “Fail hard, fail fast.”

Admit when you’re wrong.

Honesty builds trust; own up to your mistakes.

Lift others up and leverage their strengths.

Empower your team members.

Fearlessly advocate for your team and colleagues.

Be a strong and vocal support of your team.

Fight for what is right.

Never accept mistreatment.

Be direct and assert yourself.

Be your biggest supporter and confidently express your thoughts and opinions.

Listen actively.

Openly support different perspectives and accept feedback.

Embrace uncomfortable conversations.

Growth often comes from difficult conversations.

Trust your gut.

Trust yourself — not your inner critic.

PeopleConnect’s Commitment

By embracing these principles, women in STEM can better position themselves to overcome challenges and rise to leadership roles. At PeopleConnect, we’re proud to support and empower women leaders in STEM like Lauren who are paving the way for future generations.

Want to be part of a workplace that empowers women? Check out our Careers page for open positions.