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March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions, expertise and leadership of the women who shape Parker Technology.
From driving innovation and customer experience to leading operations, marketing, client success, quality assurance and technical services, women play a vital role in our growth, culture and success.
To recognize them and all the work they do, we’re highlighting the lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers.
These are their lessons, in their own words.
1. Influence and Action Matter More Than Titles or Gender
True impact doesn’t come from a title or gender; it comes from how you inspire, support and lead by example. Leadership happens at every level, and the best way to earn trust is through action.
“Model what you want to see. People follow and respect leaders who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.” – Heidi Barber, VP of Marketing
“Confidence is key. Believe in yourself and what you offer. Confidence inspires trust and success.” – Shelley Bullock, East Coast Sales Executive
“Lead by example. Your team will want to do better when they see you actively showing them how it’s done while also giving them space to succeed in their own way.” – Tina Gray, West Coast Sales Executive
“Leadership isn’t about gender; it’s about influence. Strong leadership is built on the ability to inspire, motivate, and align decision-making with the team’s and business’s needs.” – Lynda Black, Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
2. Empathy, Emotional Intelligence and Communication Drive Connection
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Success in business, and in life, comes down to how well we connect with others. That starts with listening, understanding different perspectives and communicating effectively.
“People bring their whole selves to work. That means understanding they may have personal challenges affecting their work. Building rapport and relationships allows leaders to be a support and guide, not just professionally, but personally.” – Heidi Barber, VP of Marketing
“Listen more than you speak. This allows you to truly hear what the speaker is saying rather than just trying to get your point of view across.” – Crystal Roth, Accounting Manager
“Empathy can be a strength, not a weakness. When I listen and understand my team members’ struggles, I can build stronger relationships and increase retention rates.” – Lynda Black, Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
“Communication is a two-way street. You control one side, but the receiver interprets based on their own experiences. Find people different from you to help uncover nuances in your messaging.” – Tammy Baker, COO
3. Adaptability, Resilience and Learning from Mistakes
Challenges are inevitable, but how we respond to them makes all the difference. The ability to adapt, learn from setbacks and push forward is key to long-term success.
“Zig when they Zag. Don’t be afraid to share new ideas that are outside the norm. Trying new ways of doing something will never hurt, you’ll either get better or learn from the mistake.” – Tina Gray, West Coast Sales Executive
“Stay adaptable. Every day brings new challenges. Flexibility and openness to change keep you ahead.” – Shelley Bullock, East Coast Sales Executive
“Learn from mistakes. They are opportunities for growth, not reasons for embarrassment or shame.” – Crystal Roth, Accounting Manager
“Be a role model for resilience. When things don’t go as planned, I show my team how to bounce back and push forward.” – Lynda Black, Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
“If you hear the same message from different people…pay attention! If feedback trends across multiple scenarios, the only constant is you. Identify small tweaks that can make all the difference.” – Tammy Baker, COO
4. Balancing Compassion and Authority
Creating a supportive workplace doesn’t mean avoiding accountability. It means striking the right balance between understanding and expectations.
“Being a compassionate leader doesn’t mean being a ‘soft’ leader. Striking a balance between kindness and enforcing policies is key.” – Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
5. Work-Life Balance is Essential for Sustainable Success
Burnout helps no one. The best teams are made up of people who take care of themselves and each other so they can perform at their best.
“Monitor your work-life balance. Deadlines are demanding, but if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to perform at your best.” – Crystal Roth, Accounting Manager
“Taking care of yourself is key. Setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and asking for support when needed can prevent burnout and make you more effective.” – Lynda Black, Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
6. Relationships and Teamwork
At Parker Technology, we know that business is built on relationships, whether with customers, colleagues or partners.
“Build relationships first. Trust drives success. Genuine connections with clients and colleagues create lasting partnerships.” – Shelley Bullock, East Coast Sales Executive
“Fulfilled employees lead to thrilled customers. Investing in your team leads to happy customers and a thriving business.” – Heidi Barber, VP of Marketing
“Never underestimate the power of networking. No one can do it all on their own. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Be a voice for your team. The great leaders I’ve had ‘had my back,’ and that’s something I continue to ensure for my teams.” – Claudia Lopez, Experience Manager
7. Seeking Mentorship and Guidance is a Strength, NOT a Weakness
Great teams lift each other up. Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a strategy for growth.
“Asking for help is a sign of strength. Leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about enabling those around you.” – Tammy Baker, COO
“Find a good mentor. Someone you trust who gives honest and constructive feedback. That can be invaluable.” – Claudia Lopez, Experience Manager
8. Data Helps Drive Better Decisions
While people come first, data helps make better choices and improves overall performance.
“Data-driven decision-making, whether managing call volume, tracking employee performance or handling customer feedback, helps identify areas for improvement and measure success.” – Lynda Black, Senior Operations Manager – Indy Call Center
9. Make Work Fun!
A positive work culture doesn’t just happen. It’s created by the people in it.
“Make work fun! Gamify tasks to create urgency and excitement. I like to set a timer for a task and reward myself with a dance break when it’s done.” – Tina Gray, West Coast Sales Executive
Recognizing the Women Who Make a Difference
This month, and every month, we celebrate the expertise, dedication and impact of the women at Parker Technology.
They bring diverse perspectives, fresh ideas and a deep commitment to their teams and our customers. Their insights don’t just shape our company – they inspire, challenge and drive change in every area of their life.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s continue to amplify women’s voices, recognize their contributions and celebrate the impact they make. Not just in leadership, but in every role they take on.
Katelyn Perman
Content Marketing Manager
Katelyn Perman has 4+ years of experience in marketing, specializing in social media strategy, email campaigns, graphic design and copywriting. She holds a B.S. in Strategic Communication and Human Communication Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University.