Got five minutes? Good. Because that’s all you need to take in five valuable nuggets of career advice from Salesforce superwoman Ashling Kearns, Director of Marketing Operations and our January Woman of the Month.

Since joining Salesforce in 2011, Dublin-based Kearns has taken the reigns of the Marketing Strategy and Operations team in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Her powerhouse team targets, sets, tracks and forecasts country, segment and cloud marketing performance for the region as well as  governing marketing budget and running integrated campaigns to drive pipeline (phew!). Kearns is also now gearing up to lead the marketing function of Northern Europe. And throughout it all, she has been an exemplary leader, described by her peers as “inspiring,” “driven,“dedicated,” and “great fun to work with.” 

How does Kearns stay on top of her game, lead her team to victory, and still manage to inspire and delight her teammates? Here, she shares five tips for making this your best career year ever.

What has helped you navigate your career?

Mentors! I have many mentors help me along the way, and some probably don’t even know it (I’ve never had that formal ‘will you be my mentor’ conversation). At different stages of my career I have needed different opinions or expertise, and at each stage I ask different people for guidance to help me through that particular path. Most people around you are happy to share what they’ve learned...all you need to do is ask! 

What is your #1 tip for being productive at work?

Prioritize and delegate. If you are a people manager, build a team of motivated and talented individuals. Provide leadership and direction and let your team do its thing. Trust your team to deliver, and you will be able to really focus on being efficient and productive. 

What do you do to manage stress?

Make lists. I make lists of the priorities that my team and I need to deliver every day, week, or month. Once priorities are defined, everything else is noise. I also like to run in my spare time—it helps clear out the day and allows me to think through situations calmly and thoroughly.

What are your tips for making strong connections within your company?

I have worked in a multinational environment for the majority of my career. The solid relationships you build on Day One will carry with you from position to position. You need to invest time in the people and teams you are working with, including those outside your immediate region and organization. Good communication and the ability to collaborate (both in person and virtually) are key.

What advice do you have for others interested in following in your footsteps?

Speak up! Share your career ambition and what you want your next role to be with your key stakeholders. By sharing your plan, your stakeholders can buy into it and help you make it happen. If you don’t share your thoughts on your next position, the people that can make it possible will never know how they can help you.

To hear more from Ashling Kearns, make sure to connect with her on LinkedIn. And stay tuned for more career tips and tools for success from our next Salesforce Woman of the Month, coming your way in February.

The Salesforce Woman of the Month campaign turns the spotlight on the amazing women who help make Salesforce the World’s Most Innovative Company (according to Forbes) and one of Fortune Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For. Honorees are nominated by fellow employees and selected by a dedicated committee that works to ensure a variety of roles and regions are honored. 

Ready to find your #dreamjob at Salesforce? Visit salesforce.com/careers