Badass Q and A With: Georgie Kovacs Barden

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Georgie is currently working on strategic initiatives at an innovative biotech focused on rare diseases, mostly in children.

What is your morning routine?

Weekdays: wake up at 5AM and pump milk for my son while drinking the coffee my hubby made; then, get ready for work, nurse my son and walk to the train headed to work while drinking a green smoothie.

Weekends: wake up when our son wakes up, bring him to bed and nurse him while drinking coffee hubby made, play with him for a bit and then head to Pure Barre.

What is your evening routine?

Try to finish outstanding tasks without falling over because I’m tired and making sure I get to bed by 10.

What is your idea of success?

Staying true to myself and knowing I did everything I could in a given situation to the best of my ability.

What has been your greatest achievement thus far?

Creating my family by waiting for the right man to marry, not giving up over finding out why I could not get pregnant and ultimately having the wonderful son we have.

Building an inner circle of trusted people and learning to accept that “family” can be defined in any you you want and need.

What has been your biggest failure and how did you overcome it?

To me failing is giving up and I don’t do that. However, I do make mistakes and plenty of them!

What do you feel is the biggest mistake people make when starting a business? Did you make it?

Letting emotion get in the way and being reactionary rather than sticking to your strategy. Certainly, the nature of having a business means one has to make adjustments as they learn and grow. However, one must be clear on the rationale behind decisions and changes and then do the best you can. And yes, I’ve made said mistakes.

What is the trait you most admire in others?

Being even-keeled; probably because this is my greatest struggle.

What is your biggest professional pet peeve?

People sitting around twiddling their thumbs and calling it work… and still getting paid more than I do. And yes, I constantly evaluate whether and how to change my approach. Maybe I have it all wrong!

How do you define a great leader?

One who inspires her team to be their best selves and who ensures they get what they deserve career wise.

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and what would you like the topic of conversation to be?

There are two: Oprah and my late mother. With Oprah, I’d discuss how to continue her legacy and with my mom I’d talk about her raising my brother and I and what really went on behind the scenes now that I know the truth about my father’s and brother’s mental illnesses. I think I understand her more now.

Who is the most badass woman you know and why?

My best friend, Tanvi. She is a working mother who has raised amazing girls and makes time for the important stuff. Her number one priority is family; I’m grateful she makes time for it when it counts.

What is your best negotiating tactic?

Being prepared! I often talk to my husband or career coach to devise a strategy and refine messaging. Let’s face it, men are good at this, especially when it comes to careers. They aren’t scared to ask for way more!

What’s your best networking secret?

Whether down the road or now, we can all help each other. Stay connected and check in with folks, even if just a quick hello.

How do you stay organized throughout the day?

Um, my profession is project management. You should have seen the Excel spreadsheet I developed for my wedding planning!

What advice would you go back and give your younger self?

Search deep inside and make sure you are doing what makes you happy rather than letting societal and family pressures lead the way. I did this much better once I left small town life!

Phone call or email and why?

Depends on who and what.

What are you most proud of in your life?

That I created my life into what it is today and have developed an amazing support system to make it all happen. It was not an easy path.

What qualities do you believe make someone a great team member?

A combination of knowing they don’t know it all but also contributing their unique perspective.

What is the fastest way to turn you off in an interview?

Not being inquisitive or prepared.

How does someone impress you on an interview?

Asking thoughtful questions.

Where do you get most of your information?

Where everyone else does: the Internet (or my husband). Hubby is a quantitative researcher, so my information seeking skills have dramatically improved.

What apps could you not live without?

Baby Connect and anything to do with pictures.

What is the best lesson you learned from your worst boss?

Trust my intuition and believe in karma.

What do think are the three most essential lessons you have learned in business thus far?

1 | Do the right thing.

2 | Listen.

3 | Build your advocacy/sponsor network.

What is your professional motto?

Always strive for better.

Who is your business crush?

Though I hate to admit it, it’s GP (Gwyneth Paltrow). People love to hate her but she shows results (have you seen her body) and delivers at high quality. As an example, her cookbook – It’s All Good – has amazing recipes. I have tried almost every single one and they are all great. If you look at some famous chefs out there, for a lot of their recipes, I seriously wonder if they actually tried them before publishing their cookbooks. Certainly, GP has staff to help make it all possible, but she makes it work!

Where would you like to be professionally in a year?

Writing a book or being a change agent for making this country and our culture more supportive of families and working parents.

What do you regret most?

Coming up with “reasons” to say no. Then again, I have learned so much and don’t want to waste energy on regrets.

How do you define happiness?

I love watching my son and how he sees the world; everything is new and interesting. I’m happiest when I have capacity and energy to just be.

What is your best remedy for FOMO?

Still working on this, but as long I’m doing what makes me happy, I tend to feel less of this. I realize we all have 24 hours in a day and try to fit it all in but just do it in different ways.

What makes you badass?

I’d rather ask and be told “no,” than never ask. Also, I’m incredibly focused so when I have my eye on something and it is important, I make it happen. Though, I am starting to learn that sometimes, when it is “too hard,” it is simply not meant to be. Striking the balance is a challenge!

 

Facebook: kovacsg1

Twitter: @knowactbe

Instagram: @nyugatorg

 

Photo by Be True Baby.

Categories: Badass Profiles

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