セキュリティ＆レジリエンシー
キンドリル、ネットワーク運用とセキュリティ運用を統合した「サイバー・ディフェンス・オペレーション・センター」を開設
プレスリリース
2026年3月10日
By Petra Goude, President, Kyndryl Strategic Markets and Executive co-sponsor of Kyndryl’s Women’s KIN
Long before my career in technology, my youth as a professional horse jumper taught me that leadership isn’t about force – it’s about trust, patience and earned progress. Then and now, progress continues to be gained through discipline, self-leadership and a willingness to do the hard work long before results show up. That mindset has stayed with me at every stage of my journey and continues to shape how I lead a global technology services team spanning 40+ countries worldwide.
It’s striking that in our industry, which is built on innovation and progress, representation continues to lag. As we mark Women’s History Month, the fact that women make up only about a quarter of the technology industry’s workforce underscores why leadership, access and inclusion still matter.
As an executive sponsor of our Women’s Kyndryl Inclusion Network (KIN), alongside my colleague Kris Lovejoy, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Strategy, I see how intentional inclusion creates space for diverse perspectives and stronger outcomes. Reflecting on my own journey — from early career lessons to moments of doubt and bold decisions — one principle has remained constant: what matters most is the discipline to keep moving forward, even without certainty. This has shaped my journey. Here are a few lessons that continue to guide me.
Growth comes from curiosity and courage
Some of the most important moments in my life came from being bold and leaning into uncertainty. I was 19 years old when I made the leap and moved to Germany to pursue a career in equestrian sports. I stepped into a culture I didn’t know, with a language I didn’t speak. It took courage to step into the unknown. When you operate in sports, you must work really hard. There are no freebies – a lesson that applies just as much to life and business, too.
Lead with humility
Working with horses, I learned quickly that you cannot dictate outcomes. I weighed about 50 kilos, and the horses weighed about 600. There is no force in that equation. Each horse had its own instincts and needs that had to be understood and respected if I wished to harness their speed and power. In short, I had to earn their trust. That lesson has stayed with me. In business, leadership works the same way. It isn’t about control, but rather humility, understanding different perspectives, building agreement and bringing people along with you.
Mentorship is a survival tactic
At one point in my career, I was doing well in Sweden and felt I was on a fast track. Then I was offered the opportunity to move to Singapore — and I hesitated out of fear of failure. That’s when a mentor challenged my thinking in a way I’ve never forgotten.
He said, “When senior leaders look at profiles for big roles, if someone has always succeeded, we won’t pick them.” I honestly thought he was completely crazy. But then he reminded me that leaders who never stumble are often the ones who never took real risks. That moment fundamentally changed how I see failure. It’s not something to avoid — it’s often evidence that you were brave enough to stretch.
I would never have learned that lesson without a mentor. And it’s one I carry with me today, especially when encouraging others to take on bigger roles. If someone suggests you stretch, it’s because they believe you can succeed — not because they expect perfection.
Meaningful growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Having people who challenge you, advocate for you, and help you see what’s possible accelerates both personal confidence and business impact.
Move fast, but don’t leave people behind
When it comes to leading 40 global markets, moving quickly without alignment can create unnecessary friction downstream and slow execution. Inclusion is not at odds with speed; in my experience, it’s a prerequisite for it. If you lose people in the name of speed, you have nothing; you lose the very engine that makes impact possible. Our people are the brains, the hearts and the minds of our business. I often say, if you want to move fast, move alone. If you want to move with impact, move together. The work may take longer when you pause to listen, explain, and align, but the outcomes are stronger.
Build a trusted support system
This lesson I learned from Kris. She is a big advocate for creating sounding boards and having people who will challenge you, ground you and help you move forward. This isn’t about networking. It’s about helping each other by creating safe spaces where you can be vulnerable, ask for help and grow.
As she advised recently in a panel we did together: “It’s about paying it forward. Get a defined group together — even a lunch group — where you pitch yourselves, learn about each other, and promise to advocate for one another as opportunities come up. What you find is that it’s often other people around you who help you find the next opportunity you might have been too afraid to raise your hand for.”
Champion the success of others
Women’s History Month is a reminder that progress rarely happens through individual achievement alone. My mission is to create conditions where others can succeed, and to be explicit about my belief in them when it’s time to stretch. As a leader, it’s my job to define what great looks like so people can march toward the goal. When people understand what they’re working for and why it matters, they step up in powerful ways.
No matter your role, moments of discomfort and self-doubt are often signs that growth is happening. Lean into it and do not be afraid.
Do you want to learn more about Kyndryl Inclusion Networks (KINs)?
Kyndryl Inclusion Networks (KINs) are company-sponsored, employee-led resource groups open to all Kyndryls and dedicated to creating spaces where they can find and provide support and advice. Supported by senior-level executive sponsors, KINs are meant to support our culture of belonging.
