This interview was originally published by Reward on LinkedIn, and has been reproduced below:
In the second instalment of Reward's Women in Tech series, Marketing Director, Anna Jaycocks, sat down with Joann DeLanoy, Managing Director of Toaster EMEA, at Reward's London offices.
Joann shared valuable insights, including her biggest successes, the challenges she's faced, the importance of women supporting each other, and the initiatives she champions to promote work-life balance and ensure a happy, engaged team:
What’s been the biggest contributor to your success?
Leaning on and building relationships with other women in the workplace has been invaluable. It’s a network of shared experiences and mutual encouragement that has helped me navigate the challenges of leadership.
Another key factor has been finding mentors, in any shape or form. Mentorship doesn’t always have to be a deep, long-term relationship; sometimes it’s as simple as having a coffee and listening to someone’s experiences. It’s always nice hearing stories you can’t read in books or watch on socials.
What’s been the most significant barrier?
Judgment based on appearance is something women face more frequently than men. For me, this bias centred on my age – questions and doubts were raised that would never have been asked of a man in a similar position. Another challenge is the "Simon says" phenomenon – your voice is only validated when a man echoes it. You can propose an idea, but it doesn’t gain traction until a man repeats it, and only then does the room start to agree.
To overcome these challenges, it’s important to keep asking yourselves ‘who isn’t in the room?’. Bringing more women into leadership positions and decision-making spaces is crucial in changing this dynamic, focusing on who isn't at the table and make a concerted effort to get their voices heard.
What are your biggest learnings?
Making mistakes is a natural part of growth. One of the biggest challenges for me was adapting my communication style. When I moved from New York to London, I realised that my directness, which is often appreciated in New York, wasn't always well-received in London. I've had to learn to pause and think before I speak, recognising that there are situations where being direct is effective and others where a softer approach is more appropriate.
Another important lesson came during my time at Google, where I learned the importance of avoiding burnout. I realised that I wasn't in this alone, and trying to take on everything myself was neither sustainable nor necessary.
What’s your biggest achievement?
Something I’m really proud of are the teams I’ve built throughout my career. I’ve had the privilege of recruiting talented groups of people who have gone on to create incredible work. One of my proudest moments was building a women-led team at Toaster, but ultimately, it's the people I’ve worked with and helped grow that I consider my most significant achievement.
I’m a big believer in championing yourself. While women don’t always like talking about our achievements in the workplace it’s important that we back the value we contribute to business success. #IAmRemarkable is an amazing initiative I’d recommend checking out, that helps not just women but all under-represented groups learn how to articulate their achievements.
What can people do to progress from traditional patterns of women and work?
One positive trend is the rise of healthy competition among women. More and more women are finding their voices, and platforms like social media have played a significant role in amplifying those voices. LinkedIn for example, has become a powerful tool for women to showcase their accomplishments, share their expertise, and build professional networks.
What’s your advice for the next generation of female leaders?
My advice for the next generation of female leaders is to never let age become a barrier. Whether you're younger or older, age has nothing to do with your ability to lead or achieve your goals. Secondly, if you have the will, there’s always a way to make it happen. Too often, people are held back by the fear of failure. Transform setbacks into valuable lessons that will make you stronger and more resilient as a leader.
As I mentioned before, having the emotional intelligence to understand who’s NOT at the table will only strengthen your leadership, while also driving success of your business with different perspectives on how your company should be run.
How do you foster a positive worklife balance?
One of the key strategies I've embraced is reminding myself that at the end of the day, we’re not saving lives, and it’s important to put things into perspective. Another essential part of maintaining balance is setting clear boundaries. For example, I’ve made it a priority to ensure that meeting hours don’t interfere with important personal commitments, like childcare pick-ups.
Equally important is carving out time for self-care. I make sure to spend time with myself, whether through meditation or getting my nails done! These practices help me recharge allowing me to be more present and effective at work.
I’ve also introduced initiatives to support the team's well-being. One of those is "Time Out Thursday," where everyone gets an extra hour on top of their lunch break. If I have the power to make changes like this that positively impact my team, I’ll do it.
How would you suggest women support other women?
I believe one of the most important ways women can support each other is through fostering genuine friendship. It can be as simple as offering a compliment or showing appreciation – a "love bomb" of kindness and positivity, boosting someone’s confidence and reminding them of their value.
Ultimately, it’s about empowering other women. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or simply lifting each other up in everyday interactions, we can create an environment where women feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.
