Clearcover Women In Tech: Sree Talluri, Senior Director of Engineering
Written by Team Clearcover | March 29th, 2022
When discussing her leadership role at Clearcover, Senior Director of Engineering Sree Talluri makes clear her enthusiasm for empowering women in STEM. She values diversity on her teams and takes a thoughtful approach to mentoring other engineers. When she spoke to us for our Women in Technology series, Sree shared valuable insight into taking on a leadership role and how, at Clearcover, she found a company that has allowed her to flourish as a senior leader.
How has your experience at Clearcover differed from your previous workplaces?
Clearcover is a truly people-first culture that values transparency and authenticity. I have been given space and safety to voice my opinions confidently. At Clearcover, I was empowered with information or had the freedom to ask for information to make high velocity decisions everyday. Clearcover being my first startup experience, I was pleasantly surprised how closely we could collaborate as one team on ideas or approaches with senior leadership just as easily as with people in my portfolio or peers.
Can you describe your style of mentorship? What qualities do you hope to cultivate and strengthen in someone you mentor?
Initially when I started my mentorship journey, I assumed my job as mentor was to solve problems, so I was in active prescribing style, recommending solutions. After I made a few mistakes and learned how it didn't help my mentees, I learned to switch to an active listening style by asking more open ended questions to bring more clarity in thinking, and an advisory style of mentorship, which is advising as an objective outsider and giving alternatives so that the mentee can make a choice for themselves.
I hope to cultivate several qualities in someone I mentor: that the mentee takes more responsibility to drive the relationship, a positive attitude, an open mind, and someone who takes the initiative to make the choice for themselves after hearing all the perspectives (and not expecting the mentor to solve problems or make the choice for them).
How has your leadership style changed from your earliest lead role to your current position as Senior Director of Engineering at Clearcover?
My leadership style initially at Clearcover was more around an observing and seeking permission mode as I was new to the company, domain and startup culture. It's less about the latest role/title, but as I understand the domain, vision and mission of the company just enough now, I am more assertive and have a better understanding of who my working cohorts are to make high velocity decisions and trade-off discussions to drive results and/or bring the positive change.
How important is it for you to have other women engineers on your teams?
In general, diversity is really key in building successful products, teams and organizations. I think women engineers help us tap into the unique strengths and experiences that they bring to the collective table, which often leads to more effective approaches.
What advice would you give to women engineers who are hoping to move into leadership roles?
Leadership is much more than a title or a role. My advice to women engineers would be to ask yourselves why you want to be a leader and what you hope to get out of it. What traits in leaders do you admire or aspire to have? Building that clarity, awareness and purpose behind the why will help us stay focused on our destination and accept the hurdles in the journey relatively better.
Don't let the women in leadership numbers scare you or stop you from pursuing it, it's not a race either, stay positive, focused and persistent in achieving your career goals.
Women in Engineering leadership positions help give visibility to the opportunities for female engineers, while also ensuring more equitable, inclusive and representative executive decisions. Together we can strive to bring positive change, not just for us, but for future generations of girls and women in STEM!
Sree's message of empowering team members and valuing diversity is reflective of Clearcover's Leadership Principles which encourage all Clearcover-ers to act like leaders and guide the way we think, behave and interact with each other. If you're looking to join a company that challenges team members to constantly raise the bar and operate like an owner, we encourage you to apply for one of our 60+ open positions in engineering and all departments today! We're currently accepting applications for summer 2022 intern positions in all departments.
