Join us in welcoming Destiny Spears to the AWESOME community! Destiny, the Senior Director of Residential Technology at Shaw Industries Group, Inc., brings over 15 years of experience in technology strategy, transformation, and AI.
In our recent conversation, Destiny shared her impressive career journey and offered valuable insights and lessons learned. Holding an M.B.A., Destiny has a deep passion for technology, marketing, and business development. She excels in leveraging digital tools to enhance strategic initiatives and operational performance, focusing on building agile, high-impact teams that swiftly adapt to business and innovation changes.
Welcome to AWESOME, Destiny!
AWESOME
We’re so happy to welcome you to the AWESOME community of women leaders. What makes you excited about this network?
Destiny Spears
I always get excited about programs that empower women. Coming from a rural, southern area where leadership opportunities for women were scarce, I’m really passionate about supporting and mentoring others. I love helping people advance and find their place in leadership roles.
AWESOME
That’s fantastic! How did you hear about AWESOME?
Spears
I was introduced to the network by Shaw Industries’ Chief Transformation Officer, Kevin O’Meara, after he attended a recent Symposium.
AWESOME
I’m glad he spread the word! I would love to hear more about your professional background. Can you share some details?
Spears
My professional background has primarily been in manufacturing, particularly within the flooring industry. Initially, I took a job in flooring just to get through college, as it’s a significant industry in my area, though it wasn’t something I was passionate about.
Once I earned my undergraduate degree, I transitioned into marketing and discovered a real passion for it. I have worked in various marketing roles, including product marketing, program marketing, and operations, with a particular interest in digital and technology.
I began my journey in digital technology by building websites for our B2B customers. I noticed that small businesses were struggling with their digital presence, so I became more involved in helping them establish effective online platforms and local advertising.
My role has evolved over time, and I’m now a divisional technology leader for my company. My team focuses on ensuring we have the right technology, maximizing the value returned from our tech investments, and using technology to enhance our business processes and accelerate growth. Over the breadth of my career, my passion for learning has never wavered. I now hold an MBA in Digital Marketing and an MS in Data Analytics.
AWESOME
That’s quite a journey! What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Spears
One major challenge has been dealing with corporate bureaucracy. The office politics and knowledge hoarding can be unproductive. To overcome this, I focus on being transparent, ensuring open communication within my team and working to empower others to always contribute ideas for diversity of thought. This helps us stay efficient and avoid unnecessary slowdowns.
AWESOME
It sounds like breaking down silos and ensuring smooth communication across departments is crucial.
Spears
Absolutely. It is important to have an enterprise-wide perspective. Often, people are so focused on their specific tasks and immediate responsibilities that they don’t consider how their work impacts the broader business. I am driven by a strong societal motivator—I want to contribute meaningfully to society. So, I am always thinking about not just how we can be profitable, but how we can enhance our customers’ experience and be a positive force in our community.
AWESOME
I love hearing that passion! So, in your opinion, what are some key opportunities and challenges facing women leaders in supply chain today?
Spears
In the supply chain, especially in manufacturing, technology is both a significant opportunity and challenge. I was drawn to technology because I saw how outdated our processes and tools were, and I recognized the potential for improvement. Technology and digital advancements are rapidly evolving, and staying updated is so important. If we don’t keep pace, we risk falling behind. So, finding ways to integrate and leverage new technologies is a major opportunity for us.
AWESOME
What are your thoughts on AI and its impact on the industry?
Spears
I am a huge proponent of AI. I don’t think it’s going to take over the world, but I do believe it’ll become as integral as the internet has. AI will help us work more efficiently and effectively, rather than replacing jobs. For example, we developed an AI tool that takes customer inspiration and quickly turns it into a project palette. It’s a great way to speed up processes and add value.
AWESOME
That’s a great perspective! Moving to a different thought bubble, how do you balance leadership demands with personal and professional growth?
Spears
Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, especially as a mother of five. Time management and prioritization are key. It’s important to stay present and not get distracted by things like your phone or other interruptions. Being fully focused helps you manage your time better. My biggest advice for anyone considering work-life balance is to be intentional and thoughtful about your priorities. Identify where you want to focus your time, and then create a personal strategic plan based on those priorities.
AWESOME
What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in supply chain?
Spears
My biggest advice is to be present, thoughtful, and confident. Many women are incredibly smart but might hesitate to voice their opinions or navigate difficult conversations. It’s important to be aware of your contributions and use your voice positively while being empathetic to the conversations around you. There is a saying you commonly hear at my company— fail fast, fail forward. It means don’t be afraid to fail and don’t be afraid of change, just make sure you learn something from it.