Minette Norman – 64

About me

Minette Norman is an author, speaker, and leadership consultant who previously spent decades leading global technical teams in the Silicon Valley software industry.

Minette knows that when groups embrace diversity in all its forms, breakthroughs emerge, and innovation accelerates. Her most recent position before starting her own consultancy was as Vice President of Engineering Practice at Autodesk. Responsible for influencing more than 3,500 engineers around the globe, she focused on state-of-the-art engineering practices while nurturing a collaborative and inclusive culture.

As the author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and the co-author of The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human, Minette is committed to helping leaders unleash the full potential of the people in their organizations.

Named in 2017 as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” by the San Francisco Business Times and as “Business Role Model of the Year” in the 2018 Women in IT/Silicon Valley Awards, Minette is a recognized leader with a unique perspective.

What do you do and why do you do it?

I help leaders create inclusive, psychologically safe team cultures so everyone can thrive and fully contribute. This work was informed by my 30 years of experience working in Silicon Valley. I saw how prevalent the insiders’ club was and how many of us were perpetually on the outside, feeling marginalized, excluded, and silenced. When I was forced out of the company where I spent 20 years (at age 59), I decided I wanted to dedicate this phase of my career to helping leaders do better.

What changed for you after age 50?

I started to speak up and speak out for what was important. I was willing to challenge the status quo, even in the face of resistance.

What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?

What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?

You did good work, you made positive change and helped a lot of people, you took care of the people you loved, you were loved, and you had a lot of fun.

What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?

More speaking and consulting engagements, more book sales, more media…I would like to be known as THE person you want to engage if you care about being an inclusive and human leader in today’s workplaces.

Who or what inspires you and why?

My ex-colleague and good friend Maria Giudice inspires me because she is so unapologetically herself. She has so much experience and wisdom to share, and I love how she shows up–swearing, being her authentic Staten Island self, and telling the truth.

Something else I’d like to share

The one time I had a post go viral on LinkedIn.