TD Synnex Exec On Life, Leadership And Empowerment

‘Own your story, wear your story and embrace the challenges along the way. Embrace the journey, stay true to your values, and always find ways to empower others along the way,’ says Kristi Kirby, senior vice president of North American communities at TD Synnex.

When it comes to leading with authenticity, it’s important to understand one’s core values and embracing both heart and head in decision-making.

“I guarantee you, there are a few things that jump out right away when you think about your life,” said Kristi Kirby, senior vice president of North American communities at TD Synnex. “What really matters when life gets crazy? The answer lies in prioritizing passion and purpose over external markers like position, paycheck or promotion.”

Kirby spoke at CRN parent company The Channel Company’s Women of the Channel East conference in New York City this week about life and leadership lessons as a lifelong learner and what it means to lead with purpose.

She encouraged the audience of about 1,300 women to imagine what life would look like not just tomorrow but in three, five or 10 years out.

“When you start with the goal in mind, understanding the endgame, it becomes easier to navigate the path to get there,” she said. “It’s not always easy, but it’s empowering.”

To help with big-picture goals, she used an analogy to picture an ice cream cone.

“At first, you’re excited about it,” she said. “But as you get further into it, the cone starts to get soggy. That’s what happens in life too. We get excited, but as time passes, things can lose their sweetness. The key is to stay mindful of the whole experience.”

It’s also important to identify one’s tribe, a personal and professional support network, to inspire, challenge and support both personal and professional growth. That, she said, is crucial.

“I think we all know how important it is to have a professional board of directors, but it’s just as important to have a personal one,” she said. “Your family, your partner, your friends, they were your first team."

And it all comes down to perspective. Kirby likened personal and professional growth to a train traveling along a track sometimes heading straight for another train, unaware of the impending collision.

“Some people can see the danger from miles away,” she said. “Others might not see it until the last moment, and some might not see it at all.”

The lesson, she said, is that some see things at different times and read moments differently. “When you’re trying to make things happen, it’s important to understand where others are on their journey,” she said. “Don’t push them too far beyond what they can see."

Jen Morgenstern, senior manager of partner marketing at Chicago-based solution provider Ahead, said she liked Kirby’s emphasis on self-care and balance.

“Her message about self-care, particularly around managing time and energy, was relatable,” Morgernstern told CRN. “True self-care isn’t just about taking a break, it’s about taking a step back to reconsider where you’re putting your energy. I took away that sometimes it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing less with more intention.”

Kirby closed with a reminder to lead with authenticity and intention both professionally and personally.

“Life is a collection of experiences that teach us valuable lessons,” she said. “Own your story, wear your story and embrace the challenges along the way. Embrace the journey, stay true to your values, and always find ways to empower others along the way.”