Lindsay Petty Wattam, Partner & VP, Pyper, Inc. Branding & Marketing

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Q. Who championed you early in your career, and how did they change your trajectory?

A. My boss at my second job. This was the job where I transitioned from a marketing vendor to a marketer on an in-house team. She taught me everything she knew, explained how we built plans and the strategy behind them. Ultimately, she gave me opportunities to own projects and run with them. In this role, I discovered my love for marketing and project management and found a new direction for my career. Years later, she’s the one who pushed me to apply to Leadership St. Pete, which turned out to be one of the most significant professional development experiences I’ve had.

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Q. What's a stereotype about women in your industry that isn’t true?

A. Women in marketing are often perceived as only qualified for creative or account management roles, often limited for leadership opportunities - for many of the same stereotypical reasons women are overlooked for leadership in most industries - we’re perceived as too emotional or less competent. The reality is, we make great leaders and can excel in all roles and all levels of a marketing agency.

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Q. What's the single decision that had the greatest impact on your professional success?

A. Building relationships with people I admired and knew I could learn from. Sometimes they were colleagues or supervisors, but also partners of my organizations and in the community. After my initial job out of school, I never applied for a job “cold” again. Job changes were always the result of the network I built, and that ultimately led me to Pyper, Inc.!

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Q. What did you have to unlearn in order to grow?

A. I can’t do it all! This is a challenge I’m still working through–creating opportunities (and time!) to allow others to take on projects or tasks that have historically been mine. In order to take on more, or focus where needed, we have to let other things go. 

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Q. How do you handle being underestimated?

A. Surprise them! I love being underestimated and being able to not only prove someone wrong but surprise them in doing so. It drives me to do it better, smarter, faster to prove I am just as (if not more!) capable. 

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Q. Have you ever had to advocate for yourself in a way that didn't come naturally? How did you find your voice?

I’m rarely the first to speak and often not the loudest in the room. Finding your voice is often about having the confidence to speak up. I found confidence by preparing for whatever the situation or meeting called for, making sure I anticipated what might be asked or expected and having the answers. Whether it’s a weekly staff meeting or a major presentation, preparation has always been my key. 

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Q. Do you have any advice for emerging female professionals early in their careers?

Say yes to opportunities. Offer to help your colleagues and your boss. Seek to understand the “why” behind everything. Put in the additional effort. Those periods of challenge will be the most significant moments of growth. 

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