Embracing Fear for Professional Growth
“If you’re afraid, do it with fear,” asserts Fernanda Guarro, CEO of 3M Mexico, reflecting on her path to leadership. She acknowledges that fear can hinder professional growth but emphasizes that facing it and maintaining constant preparation are crucial for reaching top management positions.
Professional Background and the Road to Leadership
Fernanda Guarro’s professional background is in supply chain management, having worked for companies such as Dupont, Monsanto, Sanofi, and Merck. Although she envisioned herself in a leadership role, it wasn’t necessarily as a CEO, as traditionally, those positions are often filled by individuals from finance or business backgrounds.
In 2019, Guarro became a mother of twins and returned from maternity leave in 2020, only to find two significant changes: the pandemic-induced work-from-home situation and her role within the company being eliminated as part of a global restructuring.
This scenario prompted her to redefine her career trajectory and join the Corporate Affairs department as the right-hand person to the Vice President of Latin America, who also served as the General Manager of 3M Mexico.
When the directors moved to global positions, leaving the country, Guarro decided to raise her hand. “I’m interested in this position. I know I have a lot to learn, but I am willing to do it,” she recalls.
During her time in Corporate Affairs, she gained visibility within the organization by leading key issues in healthcare supply management, such as the N95 mask and labor reform implementation.
Raising her hand and overcoming fear were crucial to becoming CEO. “That’s been my formula throughout my life for continuous growth, always taking on roles with greater responsibility, leading me to where I am today.”
Being the First Woman: An Opportunity
Guarro acknowledges that challenges are constant, but highlights that one of the most significant has been being a first-time woman in various spaces: the first woman to receive Mexico’s National Logistics Award, the first woman in high-level positions across multiple companies, and the first Mexican woman to lead 3M.
“I don’t see it as a challenge but an opportunity. The responsibility isn’t just to be the first, but to ensure you’re not the last. Paving the way and removing barriers so more women can reach leadership positions,” she explains.
However, she emphasizes that opportunities must be sought with preparation. In her early career, she noticed the lack of female leaders in supply chain management and decided to pursue a master’s degree to strengthen her profile.
“I am the CEO of my own career, and I don’t delegate that responsibility to anyone else. I didn’t wait for my employer to pay for my master’s degree; I identified the need and took action,” she says.
Sponsors: The Key to Growth
For those seeking professional growth, Guarro advises embracing discomfort. “That’s where you learn and grow the most,” she notes. She also encourages involvement in cross-functional projects and building relationships beyond one’s direct area.
She recounts that when her role was eliminated, she realized the importance of developing an internal network and having sponsors. She was asked repeatedly, “Who knows you?” Although she had global recognition in her area, she understood that she wasn’t visible to other decision-makers within the company.
Identifying sponsors is crucial: “People who will speak highly of you when you’re not in the room and understand your value, ensuring your name is on the table when opportunities arise.”
Diversity Strengthens Decision-Making
Fernanda Guarro stresses that leadership should not be approached solely from a gender perspective but through diversity. “It’s not about opening spaces for women, but redesigning the tables where all voices are heard. From diverse conversations, decisions become more robust and impactful, reaching more people.”
She acknowledges that there are still few women in top management but insists that the solution requires a collective effort: determined women and organizations committed to fostering diverse talent.
On a personal level, the first step is genuinely wanting to grow. Then, create a support network that allows balancing personal and professional life and communicate this to those around you.
“For me, work-life balance is extremely personal; it may mean something different for you because we’re in different life stages. I am a mother of six-year-old twins, leading a global company’s organization, which can’t be the same for those around me because they might be in a different life phase.”
From an enterprise perspective, she highlights that the pandemic taught us that flexibility is possible. “Organizations should leverage technology to promote more flexible and sustainable work arrangements.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is Fernanda Guarro’s advice for overcoming fear in professional growth? Embrace discomfort and constantly prepare yourself for new challenges.
- Q: How did Fernanda Guarro’s career path lead her to become CEO of 3M Mexico? She redefined her career after her role was eliminated, raised her hand for new opportunities, and gained visibility through cross-functional projects.
- Q: What role do sponsors play in Fernanda Guarro’s career success? Sponsors speak highly of her when she’s not present, ensuring her name is considered for opportunities.
- Q: How does Fernanda Guarro view diversity in leadership? Diversity strengthens decision-making by incorporating various perspectives and experiences.
- Q: What does work-life balance mean to Fernanda Guarro? It’s a personal matter, and what works for her may not work for others due to varying life stages.
