Why You Should Always Be Your Authentic Self and Other Insights From a Deputy CTO

When asked what her most memorable piece of career advice is, Deb Lewis, the VP Deputy Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at The Hanover Insurance Group, tells us that it’s to be your authentic self — every day. 

“Early in my career, I remember feeling the need to mirror the other professionals I worked with, who were predominantly white males at the time,” recalls Lewis. “I am so grateful for the mentors and sponsors that challenged me to bring my unique gifts and abilities to work.” Following this advice was a game changer for Lewis, as it also enabled her to unlock her authentic passion, purpose, and voice at work.

Another essential aspect of being true to yourself is acknowledging your mistakes and areas for growth. “I remember when I discovered that learning from mistakes has so much value,” says Lewis. “Throughout my journey, I have had tremendous success and, what I call, opportunities to learn, grow, and develop. Being able to reflect and learn from challenges is so critical. Today, I see opportunity everywhere and am much more open to embrace challenges, accept feedback, and be receptive to criticism.”

As part of this mentality, Lewis has placed a mirror in her office as a reminder to take note of her own reflection. “My goal at the end of each day is to be able to look in this mirror and know that I have been the best version of myself today,” she notes. “No matter the changes I need to make, I can take accountability for being my best self in every interaction.”

Here, Lewis acts on her own advice by reflecting on her life as a Deputy CTO, including tips and tricks for women who may be interested in following similar paths. 

Exploring my life as a Deputy CTO.

Curious about what a role as a Deputy CTO involves? For Lewis, this role entails leading the Infrastructure & Operations, IT Service Management Operations, Technical Architecture, and Technology Program Management teams at The Hanover. She’s also been leading the company’s Data Center Transformation team throughout her time at The Hanover. 

This experience “has been an awesome opportunity to transform people, processes, and the technology landscape by enabling a multi-data center computing environment with The Hanover expertise and managed service providers,” Lewis explains. 

As we can see, leadership is a key component of Lewis’ work — and it’s also the part of her work that she finds most rewarding. “I lead teams and demonstrate the art of the possible,” she elaborates. This enables her to “see team members get excited about delivering on capabilities that support the business and help move the organization forward.”

For others who are hoping to hone their leadership skills like she has, Lewis shares the following advice: “It is very important to know the difference between leadership and management. To me, leaders inspire, empower, coach, develop, and help people become the best version of themselves.”

Finding support in my personal and professional life.

If you’re wondering how Lewis finds work-life balance in such a dynamic role, it’s important to realize that this is another skill that you learn. “Honestly, work-life balance has not always been a strength for me,” Lewis tells us. However, she now has a support system that helps her achieve this balance.

“I have two amazing daughters, Alesha and Ashley, and a fiancé, Albert, who keep me grounded,” says Lewis. “We stay connected by having video calls almost every day, and they bring my granddaughters onto the screen. We share positive quotes, scriptures, and completely lift each other up — everyday.” Beyond this, Lewis also devotes time to finding inspiration in leadership books and personal stories that highlight how other people navigate challenging situations.

And this is not where the support ends either! Lewis also finds that The Hanover fully supports both her personal and professional life on a daily basis.

“My favorite part of The Hanover’s culture is our CARE Values, which stand for Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment,” explains Lewis. “These values really align with my own personal values.” Through their CARE Values, The Hanover demonstrates that they are committed to delivering on their promises and being there for employees like Lewis when it matters the most.

If you’re looking for a place that will support your authentic self — always — then The Hanover is for you! Check out open roles at the company via the following link.

Fairygodboss is proud to partner with The Hanover. Find a job there today!