In this episode of Beyond Barriers, we join host Brooke Skinner Ricketts as she dives into a transformative conversation with Christine Sandman Stone, CEO and Founder of Deliver At Scale, a global tech leader known for her modern management expertise and her relentless focus on driving results.
Christine shares her unique perspective on how joy can be a powerful data indicator in both personal and professional growth. Discover how she has harnessed this insight to lead teams through crisis, drive organizational change, and mentor the next generation of leaders.
Whether you’re navigating your own career progression or looking to inspire your team, Christine’s actionable strategies and insights will equip you with the tools to make a meaningful impact.
Check out the book that she co-authored with her daughter,
- Joy as a Data Indicator: Christine explains how identifying and following what brings you joy can lead to better performance and career satisfaction.
- Resilience in Leadership: Discover Christine’s approach to navigating challenges and turning crises into opportunities for growth.
- Mentorship and Sponsorship: Learn the difference between mentors and sponsors, and how both are crucial for career advancement.
- Data-Driven Success: Christine shares her strategies for using data to measure and achieve impactful results in leadership.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers
[00:30] The Power of Resilience
[01:24] Joy as a Leadership Tool
[01:32] Meet Christine Sandman Stone
[02:57] Christine's Journey and Insights
[09:16] The Modern Management Mentor
[13:50] Navigating Career Paths
[20:09] Building Resilience and Confidence
[22:16] Daily Habits for Success
[23:23] Overcoming Fears with External Mentors
[24:43] Goal Setting and Achieving Success
[26:36] Weekly Planning and Adaptation
[29:03] Building Strategic Relationships
[31:15] Effective Mentorship and Sponsorship
[36:22] Significant Mentors and Their Impact
[41:17] Lightning Round: Personal Insights -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. DweckQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: If you have to eat a plate of frogs, eat the biggest one first.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: The Advisor.Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: Turning off my phone or leaving in a different room.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: So this one is a tie. It's either going to be Moaning Lisa Smile by Wolf Alice, or it's going to be Doja Cat's Boss Bitch.Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I want to leave the world better than I found it. About seven years ago, I started challenging myself more actively. I had always been involved in women in tech and diversity in tech, but a couple of things happened that made me realize I wasn't making the impact I truly wanted to. So, I began keeping track of the people I’ve helped—whether it was getting new jobs, opportunities, or promotions. I maintain a running list, and every year for the past seven years, I’ve helped 60 or more people, with my top year reaching 78. When I pass away someday, I want everyone in the room to say, ‘This is how she made an impact on my life, on my group.’ I genuinely believe the world can be better, and I want to do everything I can to contribute to that. -
Quotes
Joy is a powerful data indicator in both life and work.
Christine Sandman Stone
Mentors provide guidance; sponsors change your wealth and career trajectory.
Christine Sandman Stone
Your career thrives when you master the art of making a difference.
Christine Sandman Stone
Resilience is built by navigating challenges with confidence and clarity.
Christine Sandman Stone
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About
Christine can change the trajectory of a team, a leader or an audience in an hour.
An expert in modern management and career progression, Christine is known mostly for getting sh*t done.
She leads Deliver At Scale (a speaking and advisory organization) after 35 years in tech leadership delivering results, growing and turning around teams in companies including Dell, Volkswagen, McDonald’s Groupon and others.
Christine pairs professional transformation expertise with a master’s in organizational behavior. Her methods for delivering results and getting the best out of teams are one of the reasons her most recent book The Modern Management Mentor is award-winning.
An OKR expert, Christine has an OKR for herself to track the number of people she helps get new jobs, promotions and opportunities. She walks her talk. Her long-time advocacy for women is impactful and diverse; she mentors for the Chicago Innovation Women’s Mentoring Co-op, AnitaB, ChiTech Academy, Illinois Math Science and Tech Coalition, and tech startup incubators.
A credible, insightful speaker – she is equally powerful in front of thousands, running custom workshops for hundreds, and one on one with leaders.
By the numbers: Author of 2 books including The Modern Management Mentor, parent to 4, partner to 1, and mentor to hundreds.
Vices? creative cursing, caffeine, and being a Monday and a morning person.