DSW CMO Sarah Crockett On Championing Open-Minded Leadership, Asking Questions: Women Who Rock

Nikara Johns
·2-min read

Sarah Crockett, DSW’s chief marketing officer, has been on her “leadership quest” as of late.

“This has been the result of having, frankly, a run of a few leaders over the past five years that have been less than inspired for me,” she explained, which led her to her new role at DSW. “I was really seeking a leader that could challenge me, that could value my strengths and that I can see that I can bring a brand and a team together and have a level of trust and a level of accountability that I haven’t seen in quite a while.”

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This diverse set of thinking is what she found at DSW and what she brings to her team on daily basis. A key component to that is staying curious.

“An ethos for me in a role like this is to stay open minded. Asking a ton of questions. I do that very intentionally for my organization. I think asking questions is a superpower, frankly, because it allows voices to be heard, subject matter experts to be heard. It also allows the teams to see that their voices simply can’t be minimized.”

What has changed throughout her career when it comes to being in a leadership position is the notion of feeling like she has to have all the answers. “It’s something that’s evolved with maturity and experience. You’re surrounded by teams for a reason,” Crockett explained.

Part of that evolution has come from the progress behind mentorship.

“Mentoring today is more of a two way street, I would say, than in the past. You know, “Historically, mentoring wad someone who has mastered a field, sharing their knowledge with a student of that skill, right. Today, it’s more of a two-way street. That’s a dynamic shift,” she said. “I learn from every single level of the business. And my goals are to continue that learning journey, the second I stopped learning is the second I stopped growing.”

A version of this article appeared in the Feb. 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On Feb. 4, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.

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