Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary: Episode #335 Waverly Deutsch: Computer, Broadway, and the Beautiful Mess of Career Design

Introduction

In Episode #335 of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan engages in a profound conversation with Waverly Deutsch, exploring the intricate balance of love and logic that has shaped her diverse career path. This episode, part of a three-part series titled "Love and Logic," delves into Waverly's personal journey, highlighting how emotional intelligence and analytical thinking converge to guide meaningful career and life decisions.

Early Life and Educational Foundation

Waverly Deutsch’s upbringing was a unique blend of creative passion and analytical prowess. As a child, she developed a deep love for theater, often attending performances with her mother. Simultaneously, she excelled in mathematics and logic puzzles, demonstrating a natural affinity for computer science—a rare pursuit for women in the early 1980s.

Notable Quote:

"Waverly is the only professor I've encountered who dared to use the word love in a business school classroom." — Vince Chen [00:12]

Waverly pursued a dual major in theater and computer science at the University of Pittsburgh, navigating a predominantly male environment in her computer science classes. She recounts:

"I fundamentally believe that love and logic are a blend in humanity that we artificially separate into have to be honest." — Waverly Dodge [08:54]

Navigating a Male-Dominated Field

In the early 80s, Waverly was one of only a few women in her computer science classes, which typically consisted of 20 to 35 students, with women making up about 5% of the cohort. She credits her success partly to having a female head of the computer science department, providing her with a crucial role model. Her ability to bridge the gap between her theatrical talents and technical skills allowed her to thrive both socially and academically.

Transition to Teaching and Academia

Waverly's passion for teaching led her to pursue a Ph.D. in theater history, aiming to combine her love for performance with a desire to educate. Despite her academic accomplishments, the late 80s and early 90s recession significantly impacted job prospects in academia, particularly in specialized fields like theater history. With limited opportunities and a desire for a more impactful career, Waverly transitioned from academia to the technology sector.

Notable Quote:

"I ended up doing a Ph.D. in theater history because I really wanted to teach." — Waverly Dodge [14:53]

Joining Forrester Research and Embracing Entrepreneurship

Waverly joined Forrester Research as their first research associate, a role that allowed her to leverage her analytical skills and passion for technology. Her tenure at Forrester coincided with the company's significant growth, during which she learned the nuances of scaling a business and developing entrepreneurial ventures.

Decision-Making: Balancing Heart and Head

The conversation shifts to how Waverly approaches career decisions, balancing intuition (heart) and analysis (head). She shares experiences where gut feelings guided her choices, sometimes leading to unsuccessful outcomes when overriding intuition with pure logic. This interplay between emotion and logic underscores her belief in the importance of listening to one’s inner voice alongside analytical assessments.

Notable Quote:

"If your gut is telling you this is a bad idea, listen to it." — Waverly Dodge [35:14]

Influence of External Factors and Building Resilience

Waverly discusses the impact of community and societal expectations on personal and professional decisions. Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian household, she developed resilience by separating from her community, which empowered her to prioritize her values over external pressures. This resilience has been pivotal in her ability to make independent career choices and foster a supportive community around her.

Notable Quote:

"One of the things that gave me the kind of resilience is the fact that I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian household and I had to separate from my community." — Waverly Dodge [37:20]

Conclusion and Future Insights

As the episode concludes, Vince Chan reflects on the blend of love and logic that defines Waverly’s career trajectory. He highlights the importance of integrating emotional intelligence with analytical thinking to navigate complex career landscapes. Vince also previews the next episode, which will delve into Waverly’s 22-year teaching career at Chicago Booth, where she mentored a diverse group of innovative and entrepreneurial minds.

Notable Quote:

"To our listeners, I hope today's episode inspires you to integrate your own love and logic in whatever paths you choose to pursue." — Vince Chen [40:33]

Key Takeaways:

• Integration of Passions: Waverly’s career exemplifies the harmony between creative and analytical pursuits, demonstrating that diverse interests can coalesce into a fulfilling professional journey.

• Resilience and Independence: Overcoming societal and community pressures can cultivate the strength to make autonomous and authentic career decisions.

• Balancing Emotion and Logic: Effective decision-making often requires a blend of gut feelings and strategic analysis, rather than relying solely on one aspect.

• Adaptability: Shifting from academia to the tech industry showcases the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunistic moments.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Chief Change Officer offers valuable insights into navigating career transitions with a balanced approach of heart and head. Waverly Deutsch’s narrative serves as an inspiring model for listeners seeking to outgrow themselves by embracing both their emotional and logical capacities.

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