50 Leading Women: Rachel Chang

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Rachel Chang, Senior Marketing Manager at Legacy West. Once you meet Rachel, you notice immediately there is something special about her. She is warm, welcoming, and prepared to make a great idea come to life. She lived a previous life as an architectural designer before landing at the now beloved Legacy West as their Marketing Manger. A few fun facts about Rachel: she currently has over 20,000 connections on LinkedIn, she was once invited to VISIT LinkedIn’s office in New York due in large part to the content she created, and her big ideas have come to life making Legacy West known among influencers as one of the most “Instagrammable” spots in North Texas. You may have found yourself taking pictures in front of their numerous art installations celebrating the holidays from Christmas to Valentine’s Day to Black History Month. In her role she has the opportunity to support global brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, &  Gucci (just to name a few) as tenants of Legacy West. Additionally she has the opportunity to purse one of her many passions by supporting local entrepreneurs through her work with the Legacy West Small Business Cohort. She seems to just be getting started and we can not wait to see what she plans to accomplish next.

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

My leadership style is fluid depending on the person I’m working with. Everyone is unique, so I consider the following my top priorities when operating in a leadership role. The first is ensuring the people I work with are equipped, empowered, and encouraged to meet their own standard of success. The second is safeguarding the mission, vision, and values we establish by creating an actionable strategy and framework for accountability. The third priority is building trust in the team. Diversity in skills, ideas, processes, and opinions expands our creativity and sharpens us for problem solving. Trust ensures you can show up as yourself among your teammates.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

We can develop our leadership skills in the workforce by being relentless in our pursuit to practice. Leadership is a skill that has to be exercised consistently to develop experience but is too often treated like one that should come “naturally”. The barrier to entry for a leadership position is that it requires leadership experience to qualify. The good news is there are plenty of free resources available online and accessible opportunities that you can pursue today. Join an association related to your industry to network among, advocate for, and serve with your peers. Vocalize your interest in leadership development to your organization – and commit your best when opportunities come up. Volunteer your time with a local non-profit or community group that aligns with something you’re passionate about. Find a community in love with your favorite hobby to be a part of. Plan a trip for your friends. Leadership comes in a variety of forms which means there are plenty of creative ways to establishing your style.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

My goal as a leader is to remove the obstacles in front of the answer “yes”. I love creating space for people to try new ideas and work with a variety of stakeholders. I make decisions that prioritize people over projects while making it easier for us to move forward. I feel confident in the decisions I make because our mission is clearly defined and, in my absence, I trust my team to decide.

 4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

I honestly have the most incredible team. My biggest joy is celebrating the milestones they achieve due to their commitment to inclusive communities, unrivaled creativity, and pursuit of excellence. Reflecting on our accomplishments both humbles us and inspires us to keep going.

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

My greatest career disappointment was giving too much of my time, health, and first fruits to a company hiding a toxic work environment. When I finally got the courage to speak up, I was unceremoniously let go. That was the first time in my career I learned about “authenticity gaps” – where a company’s operations don’t actually align with the mission. I made a foundational commitment to operate differently if given the chance to lead and now I don’t wait to speak up. A job is not worth sacrificing everything for, especially one that doesn’t practice what it preaches.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

Representation matters to feel comfortable in the spaces we operate in, including the workplace. Our team considers inclusion in every decision we make because it requires intentionality to be achieved. With the amount of information available in today’s world, companies can access hundreds of cultural holidays and traditions to celebrate. Workplace design should prioritize accessibility and basic needs for a broader demographic (i.e., a suitable Mother’s Room for nursing mothers that’s not a storage closet). Inclusion can look like company gatherings that are not centered around alcohol or provide childcare so everyone can attend stress free. An inclusive work environment benefits everyone and should be the standard.

7. What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Slow down! There’s a lot of years in a career and rushing to the next phase before appreciating this one leads to burnout. Responsibility only gets heavier and it’s ok to take time preparing to hold the weight.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

I can’t wait to serve alongside you! Continue to be vocal about the changes you want to see in the world and do your part to see them to fruition.

9. Who inspired you and why?

There have been countless people that have inspired and helped me throughout my career. The generations of women that came before me in my family didn’t have the opportunity to pursue a career and I’ve always wondered what they would’ve achieved had they been encouraged. I’m inspired by my incredibly talented mom, and having inherited her brains alongside her beauty, I’m fortunate to be where I am. When leadership gets tough, I remember the privilege it is to be in this position.

10. What do you want to be remembered for? 

A friend of my once told me in earnest that she thought I was going to change the way people saw the world. I hope that’s what I’m remember for.