At My Company, We Are #OneTribe: Working in Synch to Achieve Partner Success

If you’re looking to balance your personal needs and professional goals, “You can have it all,” encourages Jen Waltz, a leader at Equinix, Inc. — the world's digital infrastructure company. Waltz is dedicated to both her career and her family, and she’s able to balance all her passions due to her own resolve and dedication, as well as with support from Equinix.

Balance, she explained, is critical to her success. “When I thrive while being my authentic self,” Waltz said, “I know I have achieved balance.”

We spoke with Waltz about her passion for her work and how Equinix makes it possible to devote time to her personal and family life in addition to her career.

Tell us about your job.

For the past 10 months, I’ve been Director, Partner Channel Sales within the Americas Region at Equinix. Previously, I was a director for Channel Partners in the U.S. and Mexico at a regional technology firm. 

I love my job and career. I’m passionate about scaling sales growth via the channel! I do this by helping partners leverage and monetize our respective joint value while growing market share and increasing revenue. I see channel partner sales as an unbreakable link in the proverbial chain between Equinix, our excellent partners, field sellers, customer care, operations, and engineering.  

Paint a picture of a typical day for me. 

I start my day around 5:00 a.m., when I spend an hour focusing on meditation and self-care — being positive is how I get through the workday. I think through how I want my day to progress while making a list of things to do. I catch up on world events by listening to NPR while getting ready. 

My husband Aaron is incredibly supportive and always prepares hot tea to start my workday. My day usually consists of meetings to check in with our valued partners, my team, coworkers, clients and potential clients to ensure that our partners have a world-class experience. At the same time, we continue to progress with our primary initiatives.

Attaining work-life balance can't be done solo. What/whom do you rely on to get it all done? 

At work, I rely heavily on the incredibly talented people at Equinix! We are #onetribe, and no matter which department these capable humans belong to — whether it’s my team of dedicated Partner Development Managers, our expert Field Sellers, the brilliant Global Technical Sales team, the wonderfully creative Marketing team, the keen Legal and Commercial Solutions team, or the heroic Operations team — we are all laser-focused and devoted to partner success. 

At home, my husband helps me run an efficient schedule to support our family, friends, and community. As for my personal development, I belong to several organizations that help me overcome any perceived limitations while acquiring new personal and professional skills. 

What does "balance" mean to you?

To me, the art of balance is living out your passions equally. It can be a tricky thing to achieve and maintain. 

My passions are my work at Equinix, my marriage and my family. Having balance means taking a step back now and then to relax and enjoy the fullness of my life — gardening on our small acreage with private woods right out our back door, taking in nature, completing DIY tasks, or watching a cooking show.

Maya Angelou once said, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style." When I thrive while being my authentic self, I know I have achieved balance. 

What's one misconception you think exists around work-life balance today?

There’s a belief that the number of hours worked equates to productivity.  Eight hours on video calls can be more or less productive than eight hours working through data, contracts, or sales presentations. It all depends upon the day and how you structure and use your time to be effective, not burn yourself out and stay focused on your primary goals.

What do you appreciate about Equinix’s culture?

Equinix is extraordinary! The opportunity to serve our customers and how our team of people show up to work daily make Equinix a phenomenal place to work.

The collective personality of our company determines our destiny. My company is genuine in its continued efforts toward being a great place to work. Equinix pays attention to the issues of society at large and enhances all of our lives, with equality in mind. 

Being positive is the key to harmony, and development fosters better outcomes. Equinix demonstrates interest in my success by championing my participation in McKinsey's Black Leadership Program, which is essentially an executive MBA program focused on advancing managers via heightened skill development.

What's your go-to stress-relief activity?

Reflection and meditation. I enjoy peace, which allows my creative energy to flow. I also tend my English garden outside — I love flowers! To me, they’re proof of nature's diverse beauty. And running strengthens my ability to work through challenging situations. 

What kinds of boundaries have you established to separate work and family time?

Boundaries are mandatory — you need to give each passion its own private time to thrive. I converted one of our bedrooms into a home office, so I close the door when I'm working to focus. Typically, unless emergencies arise, I set a specific time not to check or respond to work emails and no longer take work-related calls. 

At times, this is easier said than done; though I try to get my work done for the day, in priority order, before reserving time at night for our family (and myself). There are certain times when self-care needs to be a priority, so I adjust a Wednesday workday for appointments. 

What kind of support does Equinix offer employees?

Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to focus on family and your career. My advice is to educate yourself on all of the options available. For instance, working mothers are encouraged to create the necessary environment and support as they balance motherhood and careers. 

Equinix also offers maternity leave, new family/mother groups and continuing resources for young and growing families. There are a number of different programs and options for working moms to take advantage of during their family and career progression. Not everything will work the same for all moms at the same time in their career and/or personal life, so having numerous options to try is key.

What are you especially good at home? What about at work?

I’m very good at keeping an orderly home, ensuring the house is spotless — ready for company at any minute, while maintaining a comfortable and inviting living space for my family. At work, I can accomplish tasks, achieve goals and cut through noise and distractions, enabling me to stay focused on business results and performance management.

What's your #1 tip for married women who are navigating the balance of working and family?

Trust your instincts, yet keep an open mind. Stay encouraged by finding your tribe of other women who can relate to what you are experiencing. Research all of the options available to you, and if you can’t find what you need, ask for it!  Never lose focus on both your personal needs and professional goals — be confident, because both can be achieved successfully. You can have it all! 

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