In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting Liaison employees who identify as women whose contributions have been integral to our success.
Léana Cutone began working at Liaison in 2016 as a customer service representative and subsequently rose to the position of Office Manager, a role that impacts everyone at the company. She is responsible for maintaining the HQ office in Watertown as well as making sure things run smoothly within our remote offices across the country. Léana also works on internal events and employee engagement initiatives. She recently spoke about overcoming gender-based bias, the importance of being adaptable and what gives her a “great feeling” at work.
What’s one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a person who identifies as a woman in the workplace?
LC: I have been in situations where I have had to put a greater than normal effort into my work in order for it, and myself as an individual, to be respected and taken seriously by my peers. Sometimes it is disheartening to recognize that the work you do is being judged with potential bias just because of your gender. Nonetheless, this has taught me to always be thorough and put my best effort into my responsibilities at work.
What is the most impactful professional lesson you’ve learned since you began your career?
LC: The most impactful professional lesson I’ve learned is that the ability to adapt can propel you forward during difficult times. When you are working on a project that doesn’t go as planned, it is best to quickly re-evaluate and adapt to the situation at hand. Whether you need to change the time frame of the project, create alternate options or even reconfigure a budget, there is always something that can be done in order to adapt and successfully finish a project.
Where do you see yourself professionally in 10 years?
LC: Professionally, in 10 years, I would like to be working as a Project Manager. For the past four years, working as Liaison’s Office Manager has allowed me to really focus on my great organizational, time and budget management skills. I enjoy not only completing a task, but also facilitating it from beginning to end. Being able to turn an idea into a fully functioning process, running successfully with multiple components, is a great feeling.
When you’re faced with a tough professional challenge, who/what/where do you look for guidance?
LC: When I am faced with a tough professional challenge I usually look to my manager for guidance. With the amount of experience she has, I know that she is a great source for professional advice. I also appreciate that she challenges me to do better, especially in new situations that I don’t have experience maneuvering.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
LC: I would love to advise my 18-year-old self to just take a step back before attending higher education to think about the current skills she has and which field those skills would allow her to excel in. Don’t ignore what you are good at, focus on those skills to take you to new heights.
What are you most proud of?
LC: I am most proud of the fact that I put my best effort into whatever comes my way. From impromptu tasks at work that need to be completed in a short time frame to personal goals that I hope to achieve in the next couple of years, I always remind myself to put my best foot forward and stay positive!