Melisa Rojas - Global Head of Practices & Markets at Simmons & Simmons
Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition exemplifies an intuitive, adaptable managerial style that brings out the best in her teams. A multi-faceted leader, Melisa Rojas brings ongoing curiosity and openness to her role as Global Head of Practices & Markets at Simmons & Simmons. Armed with both law and master’s degrees, this native Peruvian launched a London-based career that quickly uncovered her natural gifts for marketing and business development.
As for the inevitable professional challenges Melisa has faced along the way? She shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana a personal strategy that includes being bold, positive – and stowing any twinges of Impostor Syndrome in an imaginary drawer. This self-professed “glass half full” executive brings out the best in her global team by staying attuned to diverse cultures and communicating effectively across multiple time zones while keeping remote workers connected to one another. It’s a formula that embraces Melisa’s native ability to form strong relationships as well as a deliberate commitment to mentorship for ongoing career development.
Learn how Melisa developed her unique leadership style and why she believes that fostering human relations – including empathy and openness – is key to building healthy corporate cultures. This episode also offers insights into time management, the importance of networking and what it means to be brave. “It’s good to get outside your comfort zone and give things a try,” says our guest. “It may work or may not. But you need to find out.”
If you enjoyed this discussion, please click here to find previous episodes of Leaders with Ambition.
Key Takeaways
Starting out
About Melisa’s attraction to the law even as a young girl in Peru and how pursuing that passion launched a career managing global teams from London to Madrid and beyond!
Seizing opportunity
Where Melisa went professionally once she had secured both a law and master’s degree, taking unexpected turns and exploring paths leading to marketing and BD.
Soft skills
What her innate ability to connect with others and build strong, diverse relationships did to ignite Melisa’s work experience and a global “dream come true.”
Key sponsorship
How a pivotal leap forward into leadership was facilitated by an early mentor who provided sponsorship critical to Melisa’s short-term growth and long-term career trajectory.
Be brave, be bold
Why Melisa believes it’s so important to push outside our comfort zones and “go for it,” even if it sometimes results in errors or setbacks.
New insight
About the deeper understanding and empathy, Melisa developed when her initial role with Simmons included managing HR and a spectrum of employee needs.
Forward-thinking
How Melisa challenged Simmons to create a remote leadership role pre-Covid, pioneering levels of virtual collaboration that are commonplace today.
Time management
What it takes to effectively manage global teams across varying time zones, cultures and expectations. (Hint: Staying flexible and open is key!)
Ongoing transition
Why Melisa believes becoming a leader is a never-ending process that includes discovering one’s own particular leadership style and how to get the best from people.
Role modelling
About Melisa’s commitment to coaching her team members, setting aside any whisper of Imposter Syndrome to focus on those struggling with personal or professional issues.
Cultural intent
How Melisa provides her team members easy access to on-the-job support to maximize career growth, networks, communication and job retention.
Special wisdom
What Melisa’s father has done to challenge her always to “add some spice” and push herself to achieve personally and professionally.
Current challenges
Learning about AI as a tool that can be harnessed to free up resources; having enough hours in the day to connect with teams, whenever and for whatever they need.
Words of wisdom
Have fun! Your career can be a surprising adventure full of learning and new people; when tasks feel dull, look for ways to spice it up!
Key Quotes
“Mentors are reassuring. They give you tools and confidence, teaching you what you should be doing … You’re taking their skills and in some ways making them your own.”
“My parents and the nice mentors I’ve had in my career have had a way of convincing me that it’s good to get outside your comfort zone and give things a try. It may work or may not. But you need to find out.”
“It’s about how you want to lead. Do you want (team members) to adapt to you or do you want to adapt yourself to them, to make it easier for them, making them feel … that you are always reachable and can help?”
“When you work in large firms, it’s possible to get quite isolated and just do your job … and take care of your local priorities. And we don’t want that to happen.”
“(Trust) comes when you’ve proven yourself. You may take your son or daughter to the doctor’s but then you will be coming back, logging on and making sure that your jobs are done. It’s really important that flexibility is a two-way thing.” (Nicky)
“It’s a learning curve that never ends because at the end you are leading people and people are different. They change and it’s not something fixed.”
“I keep it in a drawer. If you actually let Impostor Syndrome take over, it’s going to affect your outcome as a leader.”
“If you think of networking as having conversations with people, then it takes a whole different slant. Most people, even if they’re extroverted, will feel a little uncomfortable but if you focus on doing it for a purpose and reason, then it does get a bit easier.” (Nicky)
“Whatever makes you have fun – try to incorporate it in your way of doing things … It’s contagious!”
About Melisa
Melisa is a key part of the M&BD Leadership Team at Simmons & Simmons, a global firm that’s at the forefront of the changing world of law. Her role sees her leading a large team of practice and market-aligned M&BD talent that stretches across Simmons’ 20 plus office network. Crossing legal disciplines and cultures, the role sees her work proactively with firm leadership on key projects and initiatives designed to generate revenue growth and an enhanced profile in the global marketplace.
About Nicky
Nicky has led high-performing recruitment teams for over 25 years. As the Regional Managing Director of Ambition UK, Europe & US, she leads a team of highly-skilled recruitment consultants who specialise in Business Services functions within Professional Services and are experts in their niche specialist areas. With an extensive network of senior and board-level contacts, she is also heavily involved in Executive Search, focusing on Director-level appointments across Business Services for a range of Professional Services firms.
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