If I knew then what I know now: Dell’s Marie Moynihan shares the business wisdom she’s glad she ignored

As senior vice president of global human resources services at Dell Technologies, Marie Moynihan leads a team of 800 HR professionals globally. She is also responsible for Dell’s global HR approach and influences all key HR decisions for the company – impressive to say the least.

But despite her many accomplishments, Marie didn’t begin to recognise her success until she won the IMAGE Management Professional Businesswoman of the Year Award back in 2012. “The award was the first time I saw my achievements being highlighted and recognized externally,” she says.

It definitely increased my confidence, helped me to be more comfortable with the limelight and elevated my brand both internationally at Dell and externally as well.

This merited accolade gave her the confidence she needed to continue to climb, and as a new awards season approaches, she’s encouraging other young women who may not feel they are well-deserving to nominate themselves for an IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Award.

“You have nothing to lose,” she urges. Awards like this elevate both your brand and your confidence. There is really no downside. Go for it!”

With that in mind, here are a few more nuggets of wisdom from Marie…

What’s one lesson you have learned in business that you wish every woman knew?

Do not overly dwell on things…especially when they go wrong. Reflect only for the time it takes to learn what you would do differently next time, and then move on! We have a tendency to waste a lot of emotional energy ruminating, and it eats up our confidence.  There is no up side!

What’s the most valuable piece of financial advice you’ve received?

Owning things brings a lot of stress, and life is for living. The more you can enjoy things and hand back to the key the better!

Is there any business advice that you’ve (thankfully) ignored?

You should have a career plan! I never really had a plan … I knew what I enjoyed doing and focused on making an impact and leaving a legacy in each role. I then took opportunities that arose where I thought I could actually add value. It worked out.

What’s the most over-shared piece of career/leadership advice given to women (that should be ignored)?

You can have it all. My experience tells me you can have a very fulfilling life both personal and career-wise, but it involves trade off’s and prioritisation all along the way.

Describe your career in three words:

Energising. Impactful. Personal Growth.

What’s your favourite inspiring quotation?

Your happiness depends on the quality of your thoughts.

If you knew then what you know now, would you do anything differently? 

I might have branched out into other parts of the business early on in my career.  The broader your direct experience, the better your perspective, and the more choices you have later in your career.