More from Sandra on Balance
On her family life:
“My daughter’s names are Charlotte (7) and Pearl (5). They are the axis around which it all turns. I also live with my sister and her daughter, Ally, who just started college this year. We have a house of girls. I have to say that it’s pretty happily chaotic. I am so tickled by my non-traditional family unit. I’m rewarded every day when I sit at the table and see the happy faces of the people I care about the most. We laugh and talk about life and that’s the highest measure of success in my life.”
On making time for her children:
“I fight like a tiger to have a role in my kids’ lives. My job could consume me morning to night. It’s a part of my mandate to make time for them. I’ll take them to school or be at key events, even if it means I’ll have to make up that time elsewhere. It has made me supremely focused on being a good manager, on delegating properly, and on hiring the right people. The key is to have the right people doing the right jobs so that you can build flexibility into your work.”
On accepting a promotion:
“When I was asked to take on responsibility for two additional networks, I initially thought taking on more was laughable. I had to consider the implications—could I possibly manage it, what would it mean for my career if I didn’t accept it, and what would it mean for my children if I did. What helped me to embrace the promotion was knowing that it’s good for my children to see me succeed, to see me be happy, and to see their mom in a job that’s a perfect fit for her. That’s what I ultimately want for them. How better to teach that then by example?”
Get Clarity
March 2009
Sandra Dewey
Senior VP Original Programming
Turner Entertainment Networks
“I’m an anomaly,” says Sandra when she reflects on how she’s gotten to be one of the top women in television. She grew up in the small town of El Dorado Hills, CA, and had never dreamt of a Hollywood career.
“It took me awhile to develop ambition,” admits Sandra. “But I’ve come to value how exciting and rewarding my work life could be.” One summer during law school, she was recruited by a Los Angeles firm who offered her a full-time position upon graduating. “When they offered it to me, they asked me what department I wanted to work in. I said ‘Well find out what everyone else wants and give me what’s left.’ I still get teased for that!” she laughs. “Now I know you have to fight for what you want.”
Sandra’s career took a wild turn when her firm was chosen to represent Michael Jackson. For nearly three years she worked for Mr. Jackson, and for several months she traveled around the world with him on tour handling his legal affairs. The experience opened her eyes to the possibility that a career in entertainment could be a better-fit for her personality and skill set. “After that period I realized there had to be some kind of work that would give me that same kind of thrill. That’s when I took a big pay cut and went to Turner Pictures to work in the movie business. I was afraid—I was risk-adverse. But it was the first step in the right direction.”
Sandra eventually made the switch from legal affairs for feature motion pictures to business affairs for television. “I wasn’t a big TV watcher when I started. But as I learned more I became fascinated by it. It’s like a chess board with an infinite number of pieces in terms of how shows compete with each other and how public response changes to it with time. Add on top of that how influential the business is. It’s like playing in the biggest, most exciting game in town, which makes going to work a great adventure.”
Sandra’s Strategies for Success
Embrace self-confidence.
“It is often a challenge for women is to embrace their self-confidence. We can be self doubting. That can really get in the way of moving forward and taking exciting risks that might lead you down a new path. Use your strengths to do it your own way.”
Get clarity.
“Find what ignites you and you won’t have to work as hard—it will come naturally. If you start in a field for the wrong reasons, but it doesn’t necessarily engage you, it’s a struggle to be your best self at work. Have clarity about what you want, and the line will be shorter toward your dream job.”
Invest time in yourself.
“A lot of people do it by trial and error when it comes to defining their passion. Instead of waiting for the world to bring you opportunities, invest some time into understanding yourself and what’s going to be the right match.”
Play the ‘long-haul game.’
“The most important thing in business is to establish your own sense of integrity about how you do your job. Don’t waiver from that regardless of what kind of behavior you see around you. Sometimes in business we see people who are ill-behaved and seem to succeed anyway. That might be true in the short run, but the people who approach their jobs with honesty and lead by example don’t get tempted by short-term gain. Those are the people that are in it for the long haul and get the support of the community, which is ultimately how you succeed.”
Do it your way.
“Don’t let yourself get trapped thinking that your life has to look one way. Women make some really crazy choices because of societal pressures. I hear every day from my girlfriends who feel strained by the ‘shoulds’ in their lives. Set yourself free and realize there are lots of ways to be happy.”