The Key Is Recognizing Your Superpowers
"There are superpowers inside each of us. The key is to learn to recognize them and listen to them, because they are what show us our strengths and the paths to take." This is the key principle in the philosophy of Chiara Longhi, an executive who has built an international career within large groups such as Yahoo, LinkedIn and Amazon. "Learning about a superpower is a process that requires time and deep self-knowledge," Longhi explains. “It's not about dreaming of characteristics we don't have or chasing jobs that are in vogue at a certain time, but about listening to your instincts and paying attention to the feedback that comes from those around you."
A Bocconi graduate with a degree in Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication (CLEACC) and with a Master's degree from New York University, Longhi has built her career moving between New York, Hong Kong and Sydney, where she now holds the role of Head of Innovation for the Asia-Pacific & Japan area at Amazon. In her current role, she helps companies design and bring new products and services to market, providing the support and tools they need to navigate a constantly changing market.
"I started by choosing a program at Bocconi that would leave more possibilities open to me. The choice of CLEACC was strategic. Since I didn't have any definite ideas yet, I wanted a path that would give me a wide range of career choices later on," she says. "Over time I got to know myself better. I discovered my ability to manage processes and achieve defined goals. To today's young women I would like to say something important: Don't be afraid if you’re not sure about everything at the beginning. Be stubborn in pursuing your goals, but flexible in how you achieve them." A university program characterized by small classes, group study and constant connection between theory and practice helped her be confident when taking her first steps in the professional world.
After her experience at Yahoo in New York, Longhi started working at LinkedIn in Hong Kong. "During a project in Sydney with LinkedIn, I fell in love with Australia and decided I wanted to move there permanently, even if it meant leaving a job I loved. I actively looked for opportunities in other large tech groups and in the meantime, Amazon contacted me. Despite knowing little about e-commerce at the beginning, I made it through three days of interviews. Between this and another offer that came at the same time, I chose Amazon, which at the time was not yet the giant it is today. I trusted my instincts and appreciated that the company took a chance on me." Today Longhi – who also deals with the selection process at the group – emphasizes: "When choosing a candidate, their aptitude skills are important, including how they deal with hypothetical situations. You can be smart, even if you don’t have much experience."
Today, Longhi is mother to a 18-month-old girl and maintains her vision for the future. "I have a clear idea about the next 5 years, even if I don't know exactly how I’ll get there. I just know that I will achieve my goals. In times of doubt," she suggests, "it can be helpful to surround yourself with the right people. But it's important to understand who exactly you need at each stage of the journey. How can you do this? Understand if you need a mentor, a sponsor or a coach, for example. Sponsors speak for you, promoting you to others. Coaches talk to you, like a sort of professional guide. Mentors have conversations with you, supporting you in a more informal way. But the real secret to success is even simpler: to recognize your superpower and leverage it."
