P2P

22 P E E R T O P E E R : I L T A ' S Q U A R T E R L Y M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 W O M E N W H O L E A D once created an administrative how-to document covering everything from how to fix the printer to how committees reported up to the board, and it proved so helpful it was quickly shared organization wide. When I joined the experience management team at Sidley, I discovered this work I was already doing isn't just valuable; it's a whole field—knowledge management—and I could leverage technology to do it even better! It felt like finding the answer to an old riddle, and leading a team in this domain has been the cherry on top. What are you most proud of accomplishing? JACLYN: I am most proud of the knowledge legacy I have left behind at each employer and in each role. I always seek to leave things better than I found them, particularly as it pertains to documentation. Many of my roles were either created for me or significantly redefined during my time in them, so to assist future transition efforts, I heavily documented the processes I went through or created. I made how-to manuals, saved pertinent documents and emails in commonly accessible file storage, and created templates for frequently used documents and emails. These were all things I found lacking in my own onboarding, and I wanted to capture my knowledge for future use. According to past colleagues, they are still using materials I created at those organizations. As the Sidley experience management team has grown, I have similarly formalized onboarding processes and expanded trainings to quickly move new hires through the learning curve, as well as provided them with role-specific job aids. To me, learning should be fun, not daunting, and no new hire should feel they don't have sufficient resources to succeed in their job. I am proud that my efforts have improved things for those who came after me. MEGHANN: When I've taken personality tests in the past, it tells me I'm a do-er. So, it would be against my nature to point to anyone other than finished projects! I am most proud of any tool that is helpful to others. I get such a kick out of hearing that people like something I had a hand in designing and that they use the tool. When someone actually uses the tool, I don't mind any of the effort that goes into maintaining it. I also pride myself on finding the right solution to a problem. Sometimes, that's not a high- tech solution. We don't want to use technology for its own sake. Finally, I was also very proud to be promoted to a director position. What life lessons has your work taught you? MEGHANN: Like many women, there have been times when I've struggled with imposter syndrome. I've learned through my work successes that I need to trust my gut more. While carefully analyzing a problem is important, there is rarely an easy solution, and you should go with the solution that your gut is telling you is the best fit. Even if it doesn't work out, you always learn something. I've also learned to be excited about new opportunities. This is especially true working in legal technology – there's always something new coming around the bend and you must stay current to stay competitive. It also just keeps life more interesting than staying in the same stagnant place. Any favorite stories from your work life? JACLYN: While working for a previous employer, I was tasked with project managing an important, C-suite-level deliverable led by senior VPs. I came to my first meeting prepared with a list of questions that needed answering before we could finalize the project plan, but 60 minutes into our 90-minute meeting, I was growing frustrated. Participants were speaking around the issues at hand rather than driving toward consensus. I waited for a break in the conversation and pounced. "We have only

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