This interview with Liz Pearce, C.E.O. of LiquidPlanner, a project management software firm, was conducted and condensed by Adam Bryant.
Q. What were you like as a child?
A. My mom says I was pretty strong-willed and strong-minded as a toddler. She would try to get me dressed in the morning, and I would say, “I’m only wearing dresses.” So she would go out and buy me all kinds of dresses, and then I would say, “I’m only wearing pants.”
The nursery school teacher also said I had strong leadership skills, which I think was her way of saying I was really bossy. I’m the oldest of three girls, and I was not the kindest sister in my younger years, although I’ve turned things around now as an adult, and my sisters have forgiven me for all my sins of the past.
I was also geeky and a bit nerdy as a kid. My mother is a devout Catholic, and I grew up going to church every Sunday, and went to Catholic elementary school. There was a time where I thought that I had to become a nun. I was relieved when I learned that was not the case.
How do you think your parents have influenced your leadership style?
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