With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Leigh Segall, CEO of Smart Communications, leads the company with compassion and expertise.
She shapes a strategic vision that leverages cutting-edge cloud technologies and drives market-defining innovation in the space.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
After Accel-KKR acquired Smart Communications, I instantly knew that the company was destined to become a truly thrilling and promising venture. I was given the opportunity to create and implement a fresh, new worldwide marketing strategy that would redefine the category and underscore our leadership. Over the years, I expanded the team from four to over forty members. Together we demonstrated the powerful ways that marketing can contribute to a smart business strategy, and we laid the foundations for today’s expansion efforts. Soon after, I expanded my remit, helped build a new executive department, and rose through the ranks to become the company’s CEO.
Looking back, my journey has had its fair share of challenges and opportunities, and every step of the way has been worth it.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
As CEO, my primary focus is twofold: shaping a strategic vision that leverages cutting-edge cloud technologies and driving market-defining innovation in this space. This strategic vision ensures we can effectively support our customers’ and partners’ global ambitions, as well as their continued success in the market.
With over 20 years in tech, specialising in corporate strategy and marketing, I’ve developed a strong foundation in the industry. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to opportunities that combine strategic thinking with creative execution, and being Smart Communications’ CEO offers me just that.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
My childhood home was filled with the energy of my amazing, passionate working parents. Dinner conversations, often filled with medical terminology that seemed like gibberish to my sister and me at the time, were in hindsight, deliberate exposures to a world of intellectual curiosity. Witnessing my parents’ engaging discussions, even if I didn’t understand the specifics, instilled in me the importance of following your passions and pursuing ambitious goals.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I’m incredibly proud of leading the re-brand and re-launch of Smart Communications as a stand-alone company after the acquisition. Shortly after this, Smart Communications acquired two companies, expanding into the APAC and DACH region in Europe and adding new capabilities that drove powerful innovation in the category and reinforced our strength as leaders in customer conversations.
Following the two acquisitions, Smart Communications’ Conversation Cloud was ranked as a platform leader by influential industry analysts such as IDC, Gartner, Forrester, Aspire, AiteNovarica, and Aragon. It was extremely rewarding to see our team’s vision and hard work pay-off.
What does an average workday look like for you?
In my role, I head company-wide initiatives that drive innovation, market share and revenue growth, helping to ensure success for the company, its customers and partnerships.
As CEO, I spend most of my day working closely with other departments, focusing on our current priorities in line with market conditions. Together, we strategise new initiatives, explore new market opportunities and ultimately plan ways to drive revenue and impact. A key part of my role is ensuring seamless collaboration and open communication across the company. It’s important to me that every individual in this company knows our key areas of focus and their role in driving impact. I also want our full team to feel valued, recognized for their contributions and proud of the culture we nurture while we power exciting growth.
To maintain this, we hold regular meetings, foster open communication channels, and encourage cross-functional team projects. Building strong industry partnerships and staying informed about trends in the landscape are also crucial. Whilst I don’t handle the daily customer interactions directly, understanding their needs remains vital for our success as a platform and I love every opportunity I have to spend time with and learn from our customers and partners.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
Companies look for someone able to balance the “big thinking” required to drive creative initiatives with the “detail orientation” required to drive a complex operation. They want someone who’s unafraid to roll their sleeves up and get things done. Tech leaders are always looking for meaningful, measurable results that drive the overall company objectives forward.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
During my career I’ve cultivated a close network of trusted experts and colleagues. I’ve fostered powerful relationships with mentors and built a strong support system of peers. I’m lucky enough to credit this network of people with where I am today, but I know that this isn’t the story for all women in the industry and I’m committed to doing what I can to make it the norm.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
When I was offered the role of CEO, I had anxiety about two things in particular. The first was a misconception that I needed to be an expert in all areas before I could accept the role. I felt I needed to spend longer working in different departments, finance for example. But if you think about any point in your career, if you’re taking a role where you’ve done absolutely everything and ticked the box, it’s probably not the next best role for you. In order to overcome this anxiety, I was lucky enough to have a network of trusted peers I sought advice from, who helped me to re-evaluate.
My second anxiety was how the role would impact the dynamic I had with my peers. Over the years I’ve learned the true value of my trusted relationships with other experts in the industry. As excited as I was about stepping into a CEO role, doing it within the same company and then changing the dynamic of those trusted relationships gave me pause. I didn’t want to jeopardise something I valued so deeply. . However, having open conversations with my team and being honest about my hesitations soon helped me to resolve this. I was able to express my concerns and hear their thoughts. And they thought I was crazy! They reassured me that we work well together, and we’ll continue to work well together – and that’s exactly what happened.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Allow yourself to gain exposure to as much as possible. Differentiate by showing you are curious and willing to do the work. Remind yourself that you don’t have to know everything, and that you build strength by knowing how to complement your knowledge and skill sets with those around you. On countless occasions, talented peers and leaders have offered me supportive advice, given me opportunities to pursue new challenges and initiatives, and helped guide me through difficult steps and transitions. Those trusted relationships are pivotal to your ongoing growth and to managing those moments of overwhelm. Take the time to build your network with strong, supportive, inspiring individuals. Support them and others yourself and share your appreciation to those who lift you up.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
First and foremost, don’t be afraid to get stuck in. In this industry, it’s best to learn the hard way, so get your ideas out there and give everything a go. Take the time to listen and learn as much as you can from those around you, and with the right attitude and work ethic, you’ll be on the path to achieving your goals.
