For Wendy Steinberg, Group President at Steve Madden, going the extra mile makes all the difference when it comes to leading and cultivating a team.
“People just undervalue conversation and having a human connection with someone, and it really helps business,” Steinberg explained. “I really like taking a bunch of unique individuals and really drawing out each person’s individual personality and skill set and building one amazing team. I really strive to have diversity.
One of her favorite success stories is about a now customer service manager that worked for Steinberg, but hated the business role. In a clear lesson on how empower your employees — especially women — the exec said it was about retooling what the employee wanted. “I loved her, and she had such a great skill set. It was about helping her find the right position, and she is one of the most-valued employees. So I feel like there’s a job for everyone. It’s just you have to work with them, not throw the towel in and really figure out the right place for them.”
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Steinberg is also heavily involved in the company’s summer internship program, often recruiting talent from unexpected places such as Starbucks. She said there are currently about six former summer interns that have been full-time for about eight or nine years.
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She added, “I dedicate a lot of time to having team meetings so that everyone feels like they have a say in what goes on in the division and the company’s success. By empowering them and listening to their opinions, it really helps drive a lot of creativity and drives a lot of business.”
A version of this article appeared in the Feb. 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On Feb. 4, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.