00:00:00:05 - 00:00:35:11
Speaker 1
Welcome to another episode of the Style and Strategy podcast. Today I am very lucky to have Steven Ann Dovico chatting with us. And so Stevie is a technologist, a strategist and an innovator, a leader and a mum to seven year old Allegra. She has a larger than life energy and a passion for developing people and teams. Stevie has spent almost 20 years in banking and financial services, leading large global teams and tech platforms that actually support some of the country's largest businesses.
00:00:35:16 - 00:00:57:21
Speaker 1
She's currently the CIO of beyond Bank and one of the largest customer owned banks in Australia, and one of the best big clubs in the country. Outside of work, Stevie loves to train with a balance of a little bit of hard cardio and lifting heavy weights. She also loves to socialize with friends and family and is always looking for more good restaurant recommendations.
00:00:58:01 - 00:01:33:12
Speaker 1
I think you're going to love my chat with Stevie today. There's lots of change, transformation, and learnings along her professional and personal journey. Let's get into it. I'm Sonya, a personal brand and style coach. My journey began in the corporate world and through lived experiences has led me where I am today. I've walked in those uncomfortable shoes, faced the same challenges, and questioned my path to professional success while simultaneously navigating my personal style, journey and the challenges that each decade brings.
00:01:33:14 - 00:02:01:19
Speaker 1
I wholeheartedly believe in the fusion personal brand and style strategy. My mission here is to provide you with practical, actionable strategies and lived experiences to help you unlock your next level of success through the power of personal, brand and style. Let's get started! Stevie, welcome to the Style and Strategy podcast. I'm so excited to be spending a little bit of time getting to chat with you.
00:02:01:21 - 00:02:36:23
Speaker 1
And for those that don't know, Stevie and I have known each other in a past life, I think for both of us, but still sort of in the world of financial services, which has its ups and downs, but definitely some good, I would say learning ground to come from. When you talk specifically around change and transformation. So when I think about that, Stevie, you know, and I look at where you are today, you're actually, you know, out there as an incredible female role model for so many women, especially in that tech space within banking and financial services.
00:02:37:01 - 00:02:52:04
Speaker 1
So why don't you give me a little bit of color around what I would describe as your leadership journey and evolution over? You know, especially the last few years. And you know how that's really evolved and changed you.
00:02:52:09 - 00:03:02:14
Speaker 2
Yeah. Cool. So firstly, thank you for having me. I was very excited to be part of a strategy and style. Podcast, so. Yeah, very me.
00:03:02:14 - 00:03:03:10
Speaker 1
A little bit different.
00:03:03:13 - 00:03:30:04
Speaker 2
Yes, it is. And I love the melding of those two concepts. So like worlds onto bringing us masses. So yeah, like my leadership journey. Cool. Well, I spent most of my career in banking. Like anyone who kind of quickly has a Google like a LinkedIn squeeze will say that. Yep. Like, every time I think I'm going to move out and branch out it like I'm always drawn back by banking.
00:03:30:04 - 00:03:56:02
Speaker 2
And I mean, it's because I love it, but it's a lifelong banking journey. And that I guess that ecosystem's really shaped my leadership and career journey to date. So I started it as a consultant at doing KPMG, mostly because I finished like a combined commerce and tech degree and I still had no idea what I wanted to do, like, which is like a lot of people are in that situation.
00:03:56:04 - 00:04:22:00
Speaker 2
But I knew, like, I was passionate about solving problems. And interested in the way that organizations worked. And I wanted like a variety of work, and that was good at managing stakeholders and working as part of a team. So like, consulting just kind of seemed like it was probably the like a natural best fit. And it was great in terms of leadership because it's more at that junior level, like an individual contributor path.
00:04:22:00 - 00:04:46:13
Speaker 2
So the focus is really about social leadership and influencing it and getting to know yourself, which I think is a really good grounding to foundation for like a leadership journey. And so that kind of led me to find the next opportunity because as I said, like I was kind of interested in like people leading and like a self leadership kind of role was a really like fulfilling me as much.
00:04:46:18 - 00:05:08:15
Speaker 2
And so as I'm looking for the next opportunity, it just happened to be that GFC hit. So we had no fun clients in consulting and we just had bank work to do, and that was mostly bank compliance work, which for me seeped into like in-house with Westpac. And that's where I met you. So that was really exciting, a good opportunity and I'm showing it now.
00:05:08:15 - 00:05:27:07
Speaker 2
But yeah. And so like as I shifted into banking, that actually gave me my first real people leadership experience. So that's like another dynamic of leadership that I really wanted to get an idea. Did, you know ran like part of the risk and compliance program and like, since then I've kind of worked in almost every aspect of banking.
00:05:27:07 - 00:05:54:09
Speaker 2
So like from running these compliance programs to auditing to product and proposition development, strategy and innovation, enterprise transformation, and then tech. And that's because I like it was purposeful, my leadership journey because I wanted to gain like really naturally experience like one part because I still couldn't figure out what I love to do. But the other bodies like I philosophically believe, like you need in order like to grow kind of upwards.
00:05:54:09 - 00:06:22:06
Speaker 2
You also need that kind of horizontal leadership and as you grow as a more senior leader, in fact, that's like what a lot of people are looking for is this really T-shaped leaders that kind of really shaped like how I got to the next opportunity, like via having that real breadth. And then in tech, I ran kind of systems and platforms and have been accountable for taking almost every sort of line of business.
00:06:22:06 - 00:06:45:13
Speaker 2
And, you know, then I ran digital at NAB and that kind of saw me lead teams from kind of five people all the way to 600 people globally. And again, that's like a really big shift from a leadership perspective because like leading small teams and big teams is really different. Leading people and then leading people like leaders of leaders adds another lens of complexity.
00:06:45:15 - 00:07:09:19
Speaker 2
The like whole divisional areas. And then leading through people is another lens. And then lately onshore and offshore and hybrid models is again a different. So like there's multiple kind of evolutions in that journey by XI experience of just leading different teams. And then leading through Covid was another one where we've all had to kind of navigate. And that's really interesting.
00:07:09:19 - 00:07:36:20
Speaker 2
Like it was an interesting journey. And now the next evolution of my career kind of moved me out of to the of the executive role into the CIO role here at beyond Bank. And that's a whole other evolution. A little bit on accountability, because basically run everything from, oh, help me, my laptop camera, is it working to like what's the cybersecurity response and how do we intend to architect the bank over the next five years?
00:07:36:20 - 00:08:03:23
Speaker 2
And what's our, like, perspective on nascent technology, generative AI. So like really, really broad. And that again is like my breadth of experience has helped me in that. Like that's a really good thing because again, like the conversations I'm having now are very elevated. You know, with the executive and the board around. And that's like that's pivoting like the learning here is okay, you've got to now learn how to pivot myself out of the operational, which I love to do.
00:08:03:23 - 00:08:29:16
Speaker 2
And it's really hard for a person that wants to ask 20 whys on something and understand exactly how something works. Like again, another evolution is okay, now you've got to like lift out of the operation or in into the strategic. And that means hiring choices are really critical because you need to hive your team to be on top of that operational, and to distill the insights and bring you the things that you need to have those conversations.
00:08:29:18 - 00:08:38:22
Speaker 2
So yeah, I mean, that's a very long winded version, but like, they kind of the pivotal moments in my career and what's helped shape that leadership journey.
00:08:39:00 - 00:09:07:21
Speaker 1
And so when you kind of reflect across those for someone that you know is going through that change of trying to decide, maybe, you know, I'm straight up and down versus across the team or vice versa, you know, what advice would you give them in terms of taking that step forward to, you know, you trail something to go have it go along those lines to really then to get that clarity of what that next step might look like.
00:09:07:22 - 00:09:39:18
Speaker 2
So I would I always encourage you like give it a go. I mean, there's too many times where people will say to me, oh look, I've only got like kind of two of the criteria. So I sort of let that opportunity slide. And my overwhelming response is don't let any opportunity slide. Like if you read this job description or of a job at and it's something that you think is interesting and you're passionate about and you think you would do a good job, or you'd like to learn like just go for it because that's really, really important.
00:09:39:20 - 00:10:14:13
Speaker 2
But even before you started, like always think about opportunities. But even as you kind of thinking through what's next for me, like what I always encourage people to do is really go, okay, have a conversation with yourself about what you think your strengths are like. Where are you really strong? Like where are your kind of development areas? Then go and take a JD or take the description of the role that you think you might want to move into and look at what are the requisite experience and skill off the back of that one, and then just kind of match it to like, do you have these things?
00:10:14:13 - 00:10:34:04
Speaker 2
And if you don't, how do you go and purposely like craft your development plan to get that experience? Because that put you in an even more like a stronger position to get that next role. And even as you start, you're going to start strong because you've got like a lot of that already, you know, there. But like, I wouldn't shy away from experiences.
00:10:34:04 - 00:10:56:06
Speaker 2
I mean, the other one I would really think about is have a look at this role. And it's the opportunity for growth. You need the people leadership or technical leadership. And you see this a lot in technology. People seem to think, oh well, like the only way I can grow in seniority is by being a people leader. But that puts a lot of people, leaders who aren't passionate about people in people leader roles.
00:10:56:08 - 00:11:15:00
Speaker 2
And that's a problem because like, like a people leader casts a dark shadow, you know? And if you get it wrong, it can create all types of toxicity. So, you know, like, I think you really need to think about like, if people aren't what you're passionate about. And that's okay, because not everyone can be passionate about the same things.
00:11:15:05 - 00:11:29:14
Speaker 2
Then like look for a role that's going to let you grow in seniority and experience and whatever, but in a like individual contributor way, and like working out which side you kind of sit on is super important, even for your own fulfillment.
00:11:29:16 - 00:12:00:08
Speaker 1
Yeah. That's great. Stevie, I think, you know, whether you're looking in employment and you're trying to work out ways to position your career, that becomes a really nice, laser focused way of looking at it. And then even if you are in business for yourself, your question is, you know, are you stepping in as CEO of your business or are you wanting to focus really on the the technical components and therefore, you know, you don't want to have a whole team of people sitting underneath you, you know, doing the execution while you're the kind of face as well.
00:12:00:08 - 00:12:34:14
Speaker 1
So yeah, great advice there. So in an industry that's often perceived as and I think I spoke to Imara once around this, the either black or white T-shirt and jeans design because back then you would be classified as you're in tech right where that's the case. I think what really resonated with me as I watched your career evolve is that Stevie stayed really true to who you were, and it came through across in your brand and it came through in your style as well.
00:12:34:19 - 00:12:48:23
Speaker 1
So a question for you being, did you feel like that was very deliberate? Did you realize it or was it just, look, I really like dressing like that. This was part of my brand. What was the thought process around? Yeah, you know, if you reflect back.
00:12:49:03 - 00:13:13:05
Speaker 2
Yeah. So yeah, almost embarrassingly like and maybe it shows my age again, you know, like I'm so still wedded to wearing high heels, you know, and I get that a lot of, like, people will be like, really? Are you going to be like, the last woman standing in high heels because it's not cool anymore? Like people wear sneakers to work, so, you know, and like but some like part of that is a bit of like personal brand.
00:13:13:06 - 00:13:40:12
Speaker 2
I wear them because I love them, I love the look. And also I'm very, very short. But like, you know, people always comment about my shoes because I like to wear really bright colors and, you know, like, again, like that's kind of true to your style. I mean, a lot of the foundations or the frameworks around the things I wear have been like influenced by strong role models and like, strong female role models in my career, especially in the early days.
00:13:40:12 - 00:14:00:10
Speaker 2
And like, my mum is one of those people who, like, she's very corporate conservative when it comes to dressing like way more than me. Like she would hate this shoulder that's showing. But you know, from the beginning she was like, you know, when you go to work, like people are employing you because you have a perspective and they want to hear what you say.
00:14:00:15 - 00:14:32:05
Speaker 2
And so it's really important to dress in a way that's not going to distract people from the message you're trying to get out. Right. So like this is like help a little slack for these. But like, she's always said to me, like, you know, just like get a sense of how low your top is or how short your studies or whatever, just not because of anything like go out on the weekend and do like go to the beach and getting a bikini, but like at work, like wearing things that distract from what you're saying.
00:14:32:05 - 00:14:50:15
Speaker 2
People are only going to be looking at the things you're wearing or whatever. And so there was always a bit of that. And then I think, like my advice on that, it's important to stay true to your style, like, you know, but think about like, let's say you're presenting and always think about this is I always ask, like, what's the room going to look like?
00:14:50:15 - 00:15:27:15
Speaker 2
And where are we going to be sitting? Because, you know, like you usually don't really high chairs or really low ones. I don't know why they don't put you just on a normal chair or, you know, like it's always a really awkward thing and like because I'm really sure again, it's high chairs. It's the worst. And so, you know, like it's mental, like you should wear pants to these not because you're trying to be really conservative or anything, but like it will make you feel less comfortable, like in a skirt or whatever on a high chair because and you're not going to be able to perform as well and all of that kind of stuff.
00:15:27:15 - 00:15:52:00
Speaker 2
So it's like it's always like staying true to your natural style, but like in context. So be conscious about the context in which you're operating in and then like where you want the focus to be. And like I do have my t shirts in like jeans days, but then like, they're not so many of them, mostly like you flat shoes and sports shoes and whatever the gym like, other than that, I'm kind of yeah.
00:15:52:02 - 00:15:57:16
Speaker 1
No, I love it. And I love that you're standing true to the heel as well. Gave up on that a little while ago.
00:15:57:16 - 00:16:05:04
Speaker 2
If you feel like even my mum has like everyone's like, it's done, let go of it. I'm like, no, I love heels.
00:16:05:06 - 00:16:30:04
Speaker 1
But I do. I do have a soft spot and I do appreciate a good heel for, you know, an event or something. But so can you tell me a little bit around as a leader that is, you know, working through the complexities of tech and innovation as well in the financial services sector? So, you know, I can really appreciate the challenges associated with that.
00:16:30:06 - 00:16:37:02
Speaker 1
What are some of the biggest lessons that you think you've learned in trying to navigate some of that?
00:16:37:04 - 00:17:07:17
Speaker 2
Yeah, there's probably quite a few lessons learned, like in terms of tackling complexity, because as a leader, you never sure of that in tech. You know, it's really about putting in perspective the problem you're trying to solve. Because if you try to go head on to like this giant issue, you get overwhelmed and like deflated and you feel like you're kind of chipping away at a mountain with a fork and like, look, a lot of the times you're going to anyway, these are big, big problems.
00:17:07:17 - 00:17:44:21
Speaker 2
Like, if they were easy, they wouldn't come in, asked like good people to come and solve them. Like it'd be cheaper and faster to get easy. Problem solved. But like, not really highly technically competent kind of people. But yeah. So you know, like I would definitely take like break down the problem into kind of smaller problems to solve and, you know, really measurable problems to solve because like there's some level of like satisfaction or whether it's, I don't know, dopamine addiction or whatever that, you know, like of ticking off things on your list.
00:17:44:23 - 00:18:08:04
Speaker 2
And so when you break big problems into smaller problems, like you do feel the satisfaction of making some momentum and that helps you push along, like the lengthy journey to solve big hairy problems. I think the other big lesson is you're only as good as your team, and so you've got to think really, really hard about who you hire for the role that you need.
00:18:08:06 - 00:18:32:11
Speaker 2
So, for example, like in my leadership team today, I've got heads of technology under me. But you know, these are not just leaders that manage teams because the scale that we're operating in and beyond bank is quite small. And so everyone needs to get their hands dirty. So when you're hiring, it's like you've got to be really purposeful and like clear about like, yes, this is a senior role.
00:18:32:11 - 00:18:50:14
Speaker 2
Yes, you have a team. But like everyone gets their hands dirty here. If that's not for you, then this is probably not the role for you. And I've been so lucky to be able to hire like, like really great people with teams. But I also really take competent and can get in there and like help to resolve issues when we need to.
00:18:50:14 - 00:19:08:13
Speaker 2
So, you know, that's really good. And that's allowed me to kind of lift myself out of the managing the day to day and think more strategically about where we're going. So, you know, like make sure you're hiring the best people, people that are way smarter than you because that will help you do your job so much more easily.
00:19:08:13 - 00:19:27:13
Speaker 2
And then the last one is really about like communication, like making sure that you're communicating your wins, like celebrating success, celebrating the success of your team. I think in tech particularly like people. What like there's a lot of introverts, right? So like there's not a lot of people that are comfortable about being like here's what we did. And like it's so great.
00:19:27:13 - 00:19:45:03
Speaker 2
And here's how we're solving customer problems and all of that kind of stuff. And I do a lot of it on LinkedIn, and I usually get a little bit slack. So like, like you're just posting again, but I'm like, I'm so proud of what we've achieved. Like, I want to talk about this. I think people should hear about all the great things we're doing.
00:19:45:07 - 00:20:12:14
Speaker 2
So like, never shy away from talking about the exciting achievements that like your team and helping you do and, you know, celebrate that success and, you know, make sure that you've got a really good comms plan so that your message is out there often, because that's going to help both you and your team, you know, and everyone gets motivated and then they these big ugly hairy problems in as big because, you know, we've got the motivation to keep going and all of that.
00:20:12:14 - 00:20:13:16
Speaker 2
You know.
00:20:13:18 - 00:20:48:21
Speaker 1
Yeah definitely. And I think out of those three really that communication piece, especially if the teams aren't so strong at doing that communicate and celebrating those wins, you know, really marking those milestones becomes really, really important. So if I turn to someone that has actually received, you know, some really fantastic recognition for your leadership in the digital space and tech, what advice would you give to female aspiring female leaders who are in these fields and really going, well, how could I do that?
00:20:48:23 - 00:20:51:15
Speaker 1
What steps should I be taking in that space?
00:20:51:18 - 00:21:16:20
Speaker 2
Yeah, I mean, so like it goes back to the communication piece that I said before, like, and the recognition for the things that you're doing, you know, just just doing great things and not talking about it like he's not going to get you the recognition. And it's not to say, oh, you only do things for recognition. No, you do things because you know, you like solving problems and it's important customer problem to solve it with your job or whatever.
00:21:16:22 - 00:21:40:11
Speaker 2
But if you do well, you should talk about it. And like when you talk about it, people, they recognize that you've done something and then like is your avenue for things like that. Are more industry want recognize more just you want and like this is how like you get nominated for awards because someone like looks at you know your postings is actually that's really great and wow look at the outcome and blah blah blah like that kind of stuff.
00:21:40:15 - 00:22:01:10
Speaker 2
And I think the way to do that really well, so that people do pick it up and like realize the impact of what you've done and like is really cool out the problem that you were trying to solve, how you solved it and what it did do, like the outcome is really important because you can say a lot of things, I did this and I did this and whatever, but like to what end?
00:22:01:12 - 00:22:12:06
Speaker 2
Like the more impactful your outcome is like, the more likely it's going to be recognized and celebrated and all of that kind of stuff. So, you know.
00:22:12:07 - 00:22:33:18
Speaker 1
Yeah, wonderful. And so now I've got three quick questions for you. So I know we touched a little bit on style at the beginning, but what is your go to style signature piece that you feel truly represents your personal brand, and why is it a central part of your wardrobe?
00:22:33:20 - 00:22:58:17
Speaker 2
Oh, okay. So I'm probably known for my red high heels. Like everyone knows that I wear these red like pants, denies they're really nice. So they might go to. And I kind of feel like it really is my favorite color, I guess you can say like it's a vibrant color. I think it like, you know, encapsulates like confidence and all of that kind of stuff.
00:22:58:17 - 00:23:17:04
Speaker 2
So, you know, I tend to like move towards red anyway, but like they are my go to and like and it's a red like pointy high heel is so universally like able to be worn. So you know, I wear that a lot and I love them.
00:23:17:06 - 00:23:39:20
Speaker 1
Love it, love it. Spot you a mile away. So then for my listeners who are looking for a little bit of inspiration, what book are you either currently reading or have read or maybe listen to that you thinks had a significant impact on your the brand leadership kind of journey?
00:23:39:22 - 00:24:15:19
Speaker 2
So the one that I've read quite recently that I just love, I think it's fantastic, it's called Never Split the Difference and it's I forget the guy who wrote it but he is an ex CIA like really top guy. And he's like is they bring him and he's a specialist in like really high pressure negotiations. So like in really terrible events where people have been taken hostage or whatever, they bring this guy in and he, like is able to kind of unpick the situation and help navigate to a better situation.
00:24:15:21 - 00:24:42:02
Speaker 2
And there are just so many incredible nuggets. Not about like, oh, here's how you win an argument kind of thing, but really about like, well, when you're faced with these tricky situations, those catch 22 or like things that seemingly have no way. So like how do you position the things that you're saying or, you know, like your what you want to get the best out of this situation.
00:24:42:02 - 00:25:04:11
Speaker 2
And I just I found like every piece of that book so interesting. And the way that it's framed in the context of stories and real life, like both business examples and these hostage situations, is just nuggets and nuggets of gold. And it's like really good to take with you and kind of reference to like, look at this. Is this situation like what did they do?
00:25:04:11 - 00:25:10:00
Speaker 2
He I know that step by step things and yeah. So that's been great okay.
00:25:10:00 - 00:25:33:15
Speaker 1
That one's going on. Not my list. I've got quite a few from a lot of the guests we've talked to you that I haven't looked at yet. So definitely that one. And my last one is we all have those days where we kind of need an extra boost. Right. You bit of out of a funk. Something's happened. What would be your quick mindset ritual that helps you turn things around and makes you feel a bit more empowered and ready to tackle anything?
00:25:33:20 - 00:25:56:02
Speaker 2
Yeah. So I really like kind of just doing like really short bursts of guided meditation. Like I'm not at this level where I can just sit and meditate. I've got it like I use an app or whatever. And I like the infrared sauna. So like my thing, if I'm feeling like I'm in that funk or whatever, like I'll go for a walk up the road to the infrared sauna.
00:25:56:02 - 00:26:23:08
Speaker 2
Not like sitting there. Headphones on, guided meditation and just kind of disconnect from the world. And I think sometimes you get in that state because or like personally, I get in this state because there's just so much going on all the time like that. You don't have that just opportunity to create just some space. And, you know, like I'm like into computer, like you can't just leave them on running all the time.
00:26:23:08 - 00:26:57:10
Speaker 2
Like you got to turn them off at night or reset or whatever. And like, I don't know, as a parent, sometimes you don't get to reset at night because you get sick or whatever. And, you know, just stuff I know you pet is not well or stuff happens, right. And like if you don't get that, like the sleep is not the opportunity to like really decompress then like I find having these sort of rituals are really quite good because it does give you that like turn off and on or like reset and then you kind of feel like, okay, like I'm back.
00:26:57:10 - 00:27:02:09
Speaker 2
I've got like the energy and I'm pumped to kind of take on the rest of the day.
00:27:02:11 - 00:27:21:15
Speaker 1
Love it. Well, thank you very much, Steve, for our chat today. It's been fun reconnecting as well as getting all those insights that you have sent through. Now, if someone wants to maybe connect with you or follow and hear about all these columns that are going out of writing, where would be the best place to locate you?
00:27:21:17 - 00:27:32:01
Speaker 2
Oh, I'm probably the most active on LinkedIn, so like feel free to connect with me there. That's usually what I put most of my stuff.
00:27:32:03 - 00:27:41:17
Speaker 1
Amazing. Well, I will have Steve's details in the show notes, but again, thank you so much Stevie for taking the time. It was great to chat. Yeah.
00:27:41:21 - 00:27:43:16
Speaker 2
Thank you.
00:27:43:18 - 00:28:04:00
Speaker 1
Thank you so much for being part of this inspiring episode. If you found value in today's discussion, please don't keep it a secret. Share it with a friend on social media. Tag me at Your Style Collective and leave a review. Your support means the world. Join me again next week for another empowering episode of style and strategy, The Leadership Series.
00:28:04:01 - 00:28:10:14
Speaker 1
Thank you so much for tuning in, and remember, you're already taking that first step towards your transformation journey. See you next time!
