Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.
This week’s Q & A is with Charlene, Founder and CEO of Altimeter Group, a research and strategy consulting firm that focuses on disruptive technology trends. She is also an author of five books. She is a thought leader on leadership, social technologies, marketing, and strategy.
1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?
Leaving Forrester was a pivotal moment. I didn’t have plans at the time to start a leading tech research firm — I just knew that I needed to do something different. I gave myself the time and space to figure out that starting a company was what I really wanted to do.
2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
My YPO (Young President’s Organization) forum group has been invaluable. We meet monthly and I know they will not only help me think through tough decisions, they will also hold me accountable. It’s great knowing there are a group of people who are unconditional in their support of me.
3. What is your biggest goal right now?
I always struggle to find time to think and write. My biggest goal is to carve out time to write my next book — there’s an idea brewing, but it needs time and space to grow and develop.
4. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
[I’m up at] 5:30AM and get into the shower. I’m usually in the kitchen by 6:15AM to make breakfast for kids and prep for dinner (I try to pre-cook as much as possible). This entire time, I’m usually listening to NPR on my iPhone because I can pick which stories I want to hear.
5. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
Every evening, I try to connect with my family, especially after dinner. If I’m traveling, there’s always a call or texting marathons. On the weekends, I bake sourdough bread which has no yeast in it. There’s no better counterpoint to my digital, real-time life than waiting for bread to rise.
6. What cause do you most want to advance?
Diversity in tech. As a woman of color who has a substantial platform, I want to see the tech industry get more comfortable talking about gender and ethnic diversity. We’ve come a long way, but still have so far to go.
Check out Charlene Li’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!