Meet Meghan Pereira, the Director of Production Support at Zyter|TruCare. She’s a dynamic mentor and a customer service maven.
Guided by the principle “What you give is what you get,” Meghan Pereira places genuine relationships at the core of her leadership approach, adapting her style to assist her team best.
With a deep-rooted background in navigating healthcare customer needs within the tech arena, Meghan consistently prioritizes the well-being of others. This commitment has been a hallmark of her inspirational journey, characterized by determination and tenacity. Since joining Zyter|TruCare (ZTC) in 2015, she has progressed through the ranks, further solidifying an expertise that spans over 15 years, starting from her days at IntrinsiQ Care Management. Her unwavering dedication is evident in her pursuit of positive outcomes, heightened efficiency, and continuous innovation.
During her academic years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she achieved a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Meghan’s interest in health was ignited. She remains deeply captivated by the ever-shifting dynamics of the healthcare sector. In her words, “In healthcare, it’s always changing. Every turn offers a chance to learn, discover new experiences, and partake in stimulating endeavors.”
Meghan’s leadership vision is clear: to offer guidance, ensure oversight, and instill confidence in her team daily. She aims to illuminate the potential they might not recognize within themselves, always encouraging them to excel. In her eyes, this nurturing role is what leadership truly embodies.
Charting a Path to Leadership through Care Management Excellence and Deep Customer Connections
Meghan began her career journey at ZTC in 2015, transitioning from her previous position at Casenet. She has rapidly ascended through the ranks throughout her tenure, transitioning from team leader to manager and eventually landing her current role as director. “I like to know my job is to bring the best out of people. I like being able to help people identify and get the best out of themselves – and fostering confidence they may not have. My goal always as a manager, a leader, and a director is to be someone who can help people meet their goals and grow here at our company.”
Meghan has a profound affection for care management. The rapid transformations within the industry constantly invigorate her, and each advancement fuels her passion for improving people’s health and enhancing their everyday lives. “Finding meaning in this is so important to me. I love making things better for our customers.” Yet, she acknowledges the necessity for consistency when leading a support organization – meetings, items, and tasks are daily staples. However, the nature of client support is ever-changing, making it impossible to predict every customer’s needs. Therefore, she’s perpetually alert, continually learning and adapting, particularly in technology.
When considering customer service experiences, Meghan reflects on all the instances where she has received outstanding service in her personal life. It could be as simple as a pleasant conversation with a stranger when she’s in need. “I love the feeling I get from these types of encounters. I bring that energy into my work life and help my team to see the ‘goodness’ we can bring to others.”
Empowering Women in IT Through Fierce Self-Advocacy and Unwavering Self Efficacy
As a leading figure in the IT sector, Meghan emphasizes the amplified necessity for women to be self-advocates. “Women often fall into the trap of thinking, ‘My good work will speak for itself and show what I’m capable of.’ While ideally, this should be true, reality often tells a different story.”
Meghan’s advice to women is unequivocal: “You have to be your own advocate, your loudest cheerleader, and your most committed marketer. Believe in your potential more fiercely than anyone else.” Beyond this, she insists on the value of networking and mentorship, recognizing their role in career progression. However, reaching your ultimate career goals requires profound self-belief. “You need to be your most steadfast advocate. If you can’t fully believe in yourself, it’s unlikely anyone else will.”
Embracing Authenticity through Radical Candor for Trust and Growth
An emphasis on flexibility and authenticity underscores Meghan’s approach to her personal and professional life. These principles guide her as she cultivates relationships with her team and customers. One tool she employs effectively is ‘radical candor,’ a concept developed by Kim Scott, which encourages “caring personally while challenging directly.” This philosophy shapes Meghan’s communication, particularly during feedback sessions.
Radical candor elevates the concept of honesty while ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the person on the receiving end. “The essence of this management style lies in comprehending people’s unique personalities. With this understanding, one can lead effectively. Yet, if the recipient or team isn’t receptive to the information, I firmly believe it’s my responsibility to adapt my communication rather than expecting them to adjust.”
One of Meghan’s notable leadership qualities is fostering a deep understanding between leader and team, customer and client. She aims to cultivate a team environment that encourages personal growth, constantly adjusting to their needs while pushing them to achieve their best. Meghan employs radical candor during feedback sessions, providing both negative and positive feedback immediately or later. “If they aren’t given directions on how to grow, how will they ever improve? Withholding guidance doesn’t do them any favors.” By establishing an open, honest rapport, challenging discussions become more manageable.
When this is practiced consistently, team members understand that even difficult feedback is given out of genuine concern for their growth and development.
Outside her professional role, Meghan is also a mother of three. “At home, it is my husband, our kids, and me. Everyone needs to be truthful. I hold the same expectations at work. I strive to maintain authenticity and transparency with my team and uphold our company values. This concept of authenticity resonates with me deeply. It’s challenging because it demands profound and personal care in equal measure.”
Breaking Barriers and Fostering Female Leadership at ZTC
According to McKinsey & Company, women in healthcare are twice as likely as men to attribute missed promotional opportunities to parenthood and heightened household responsibilities. This disparity has only escalated since the onset of the pandemic.
ZTC, however, presents a deviation from this trend. Meghan credits the company for creating opportunities for herself and numerous other female colleagues. The leadership at ZTC is adept at identifying and nurturing talent through internal promotion or external hiring.
Meghan shares, “There’s a women’s conference in Boston yearly. I only learned about it a few years ago when my leadership recommended that I attend. Understanding the significance of nurturing growth and leadership for women – to evolve into better leaders, even beyond the workplace, truly opens a world of opportunities. I attended this two-day conference where various women shared their experiences in corporate life. Hearing about the disparities between men’s and women’s career advancement was eye-opening. I don’t see that discrepancy here at Zyter|TruCare. I am regarded as an equal team member and respected leader.”
Looking towards the future, she states, “I have clear aspirations here at Zyter|TruCare. Our senior leadership team is balanced, and many women are making significant contributions to our strategy, operations, and daily work. I believe their input is invaluable. It is inspiring to see female leaders like Elyse, who has leadership experience from Google Health, and Joanne, who is part of the C-Suite. Knowing we have so many women in the C-Suite is reassuring and motivating.”
Balancing Motherhood and Career Milestones
Reflecting on her own achievements, Meghan shares, “What I’m most proud of is balancing the roles of being a full-time mother to three children and maintaining a full-time job. It is a daily hurdle but an accomplishment I take great pride in. I also greatly respect the women I work with and those I have encountered, interviewed, and brought on board. I admire those women who paused their careers to focus on motherhood and effortlessly transitioned back into the workplace as if no significant life event had occurred. That, in my opinion, is a remarkable achievement!”
Meghan’s Advice to Other Women
Regarding advice for other women, Meghan stresses the importance of mentorship. She explains, “Women should acknowledge the importance of having a workplace mentor. This mentor does not necessarily need to be your superior or even someone from your department. It’s vital to seek a mentor and invest the effort to gain as much as possible from this relationship.”
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