As Vocon’s founding Principal, Debbie Donley’s leadership has expanded Vocon to include 130 professional workplace strategists, designers, architects, graphics/ branding specialists and technical support personnel with offices in Cleveland and New York City. Integrity has been the foundation for both internal employee relationships as well as external partnerships with our clients. Debbie is passionate about the impact that architecture and design can have on people, organizations and overall culture. Vocon is a 12 time recipient of being named one of Cleveland’s “Best Places to Work” by Northcoast 99.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I would describe my leadership style as compassionate, hardworking and trusting. As the oldest child of four, I grew up in a simple, middle class family where I watched my parents work for everything they had. Nothing was ever handed to us, but we were always told that if you work hard and treat people the way you want to be treated, anything is possible. Starting my own business grew out of these simple concepts. I believe if you trust people and build “real” relationships both internally and externally, people respond far more favorably to you and are willing to do what it takes, even on those tough days, to accomplish the goal. “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do” is a simple yet powerful way to lead.
Has you previous employment experience aided your tenure at Vocon?
Actually, I started Vocon at 23 years old….so my previous work experience consisted of waitressing, retail and other random summer jobs. I suppose these experiences didn’t have a direct link to what I’m doing today but what it did teach me…is that PEOPLE are the core of any business. If you don’t understand that simple notion, and prioritize profits, outcomes or even success and forget where you came from, it’s a slippery and dangerous slope. Remaining humble even in the face of achievement is essential!
What have the highlights and challenges been at Vocon?
The highlights for me have been building an organization from a simple idea, collaborating with really smart and creative people and seeing the impact of our work on people’s lives within some of the world’s most successful organizations. When a company empowers us to link their built environment to their culture and overall business strategy, TRANSFORMATION occurs and there is nothing greater than seeing that all come together!!!
Challenges have included the management of growth…and ensuring that our culture remains people centric in the wake of expansion. We have a very strong culture, but making certain that is alive and accessible firmwide has proven to be a daily task. In addition, staying ahead of the technology curve and its ongoing impact on our industry can be challenging. This requires commitment and a deliberate strategy to invest in technologies which enhance the work we are doing and the overall experiences for our clients.
What advice can you offer women who want a career in your industry?
Be deliberate in your decision to pursue a career in architecture or design. Let your voice be heard…based on your competency in lieu of your gender. Identify a mentor and engage with that person often…be creatively confident and know that you have some something meaningful to say. Never sit on the sidelines…lean in and be heard!!!
How do you maintain a work life balance?
PRIORITIES…I have always placed an enormous value on family and it has always come first. I believe passionately that if your personal life is running smoothly, then your professional life will benefit. We have always had flex time at Vocon, long before it was adopted by the larger organizations. If trust is truly a core value like it is at Vocon, I trust that our people are managing their clients in a manner that is reflective of our model which is based on “service excellence”. In the end, our people make commitments on behalf of the firm and they uphold those commitments within the boundaries of their personal priorities. This has proven to be extremely successful over the past 29 years. I am living proof that you can be an incredible Mom and have a successful career.
What is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
I believe that confidence is the greatest issue for a professional woman today. Having the courage to speak up and be authentic about their opinions is essential to success. Finding a culture which encourages different perspectives and welcomes authenticity is ideal for women and growth in general. At Vocon, we don’t see color or gender, rather colleagues are promoted and progress through the organization based on their contributions and achievements.
How has mentorship made a difference in your personal and professional life?
I started Vocon at a very young age so having an internal mentor wasn’t part of my journey. I have been blessed with clients and friends who have been willing to spend the time listening, coaching and advising me throughout my career on personal and professional matters. My goal has always been to surround myself with people who have like values and who are smarter than I am. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new…but what I learned early on in my career is that you can only learn if you are willing to listen! Listening is becoming a lost art in a world that’s moving so fast. Building “real” relationships with a diverse range of people is the key to personal growth!!
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
I have been blessed to spend a good part of my career with Beth Mooney, the CEO of KeyBank. She is the only female to lead a “Top 20” bank in the country and she has served as an amazing role model for me. Beth is compassionate, but sets the bar very high with her team. She is one of the smartest people I know, but has also remained humble and approachable.
Laura Thompson, the CFO of Goodyear, is also someone I have been blessed to know throughout her career. She and I worked on the Goodyear Global Headquarters project together and shortly after the completion of the building, she was promoted to the CFO position. Laura started in the mailroom at Goodyear and has risen through the ranks by collaborating with those around her, building and leading high performance teams, having the confidence to take on new roles when they were offered to her and most importantly by always maintaining the her strong value system based on honesty, integrity and trust. She is humble and always willing to listen and offer advice which has proven to be so helpful over the years. I am blessed to know and work with these incredible women.
What do you want to accomplish in 2017?
My goal for 2017 is to successfully manage the growth we are experiencing both in Cleveland and New York by putting people first and prioritizing a healthy culture which promotes creative confidence firmwide.