Leaders in the Limelight: Meg Petersen

Myname: Meg Petersen

Mycompany: IBM

My title: Senior Content Strategist and Program Manager, IBM Trainingand Skills

Mylocation: Raleigh, North Carolina

Best businessadvice I ever received: One of the best managers I everhad always made sure the workplace was fun. We had a toy box filled with stuffthat we used during brainstorming meetings—Slinkys, Silly Putty, a jack-in-the-box,bubbles, paddleball, yo-yos, etc. Laughter was a big part of our idea sessionsand we had so much fun as we changed the world, one project at a time.

Thinking specifically about advice … thebest advice I got helped me climb off the corporate ladder race and get me backto what I love—trainingand curriculum design. I was flying up the management chain but realizedthat I wasn’t all that happy implementing corporate policies and standards thatdidn’t always make sense to me. With some coachingsupport, I was reminded to follow my passion. I decided to get back into anindividual contributor position where I could focus on learningstrategy and transformation. That’s what makes me most happy. 

Mostdaring personal career move: I already mentionedjumping off the management train. That was daring but has probably providedlongevity in my IBM career, along with personal satisfaction. Early in mycareer I quit my job and started my own training and consulting business,leaving the steady state of full-time employment to mine for clients and helpthem with their training and performance needs. This bold move helped me bettermanage my time, appointments, and deadlines, as well as life with two smallboys. After about three years, one of my clients (Lotus) offered me a full-timeposition where I was able to work in my home office designing instructionalprograms and curricula and enjoying the best of both worlds. This included asteady salary and benefits, a rewarding set of projects, and the ability towork a flexible schedule. Lotus was eventually acquired by IBM, and thus Ibecame an “IBMer.”

WhatI’m most proud of: My kids! (Isn’t that what anymother says?) When I look at my career, I realize they’ve come with me on thejourney, especially since my office was most often in our home. I even remembertaking my daughter to a few conferences that I presented at.

But from a pure work and careerperspective, I’d have to say I’m most proud of how I collaborate, inspire, andnurture others. I’m no longer in a role of authority, meaning I don’t manageanyone directly, but I help set strategy and communicate it. A few years back Ifacilitated many sessions of a program called Taking the Stage that helped womenfind their true voices and the confidence to get their ideas heard. I’m alsoproud of my focus on coaching. At IBM we have a new program called Blue CoreCoaching. I’m now a certified coach; helping others reach their business andpersonal goals … and grow as leaders. 

Currentworkplace challenge: One is our EnterpriseTechnical Content initiative. We are mobilizing a program to transform how weapproach contentstrategy across our business. We are looking broadly across all contentdisciplines at IBM to ensure our clients have the right content, at the righttime. My second focus is on digitallearning transformation and experiential learning. We are shifting fromcreating just pure digital learning courses to microlearning,micro labs, MOOCs, online challenges and assessments, skill-based badges andmicro credentials, personalization, and gamification.We’re creating an experience network where our clients, partners, and IBMerscontinue to learn new tools, acquire new skills, and earn credentials.

Somethingpeople don’t know about me: I’m a leap year baby,which means I was born on February 29. I’m currently 13 years old in leapyears.