Nadia Carta, from Sardinia to New York, details her journey from a French startup to leading a Google team, exploring work culture differences, passive income, and AI’s role in jobs. She hosts “99 Humans,” a podcast inspiring work passion and purpose. Insights from her show inspired her to launch “Spark Your Zeal,” helping others find joy and passion.
Early Beginnings
Nadia was born and raised on the island of Sardinia, a place known for its stunning white sands and crystal-clear waters. However, her ambitions stretched far beyond the island’s horizons. From a young age, Nadia dreamt of exploring the world and making a mark. Her academic prowess led her to Milan, where she excelled in marketing, brand strategy, and management at IULM University, fuelled by scholarships and her sheer determination.
The Google Chapter
Nadia’s career trajectory took a significant turn when she landed a role at Google’s Dublin office. This wasn’t just a job change; it was a leap into the global tech scene. Starting in a new country, with a language barrier to cross, Nadia’s early days at Google were challenging but exhilarating. She quickly made her mark, acquiring new customers and helping Google expand its European operations.
Fifteen years later, Nadia now leads a team in New York, focusing on AI, data, and tech services. Her role as Google's AI Evangelist and a leader in sales strategy and business development speaks volumes about her expertise and the respect she commands in the tech community.
Beyond Technology
However, Nadia's influence extends beyond her tech role. She is a passionate advocate for finding one’s purpose and integrating passion into one's professional life. Her initiative, Spark Your Zeal, is a testament to this philosophy. It aims to inspire individuals to reignite their passion for their work and personal lives, creating a balanced, fulfilling existence.
Nadia is also a mentor, executive coach, and a prolific speaker, engaging audiences around the world on topics of technology, leadership, and personal growth. Her podcast, "99 Humans," co-hosted with her colleague Jeff, dives into the challenges and rewards of leadership and has become a platform for sharing inspiring stories from various sectors.
A Visionary’s Outlook on AI and the Future of Work
In our recent conversation, Nadia shared insights on the evolving landscape of the corporate world, particularly in the context of AI. She views AI as a transformative tool that can enhance productivity and creativity, rather than a threat to employment. Her approach to AI is pragmatic and optimistic, focusing on its potential to enable better work rather than replace human efforts.
The Human Touch in Leadership
Nadia believes that true leadership is about fostering an environment where people can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential. Her interviews with leaders across industries have reinforced her belief in the power of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of supporting and inspiring team members.
Looking Ahead
As Nadia continues to lead, mentor, and inspire, she remains committed to her mission of helping others find their spark and purpose. Her upcoming projects, including her book "The 99 Humans" and the "Love Letter Experience," promise to further her impact, spreading her message of passion and purpose to a wider audience.
Nadia Carta’s journey from a small island to a global tech hub is a powerful reminder of how vision, resilience, and a continual pursuit of growth can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Her story is not just inspiring but a blueprint for those looking to carve their own paths in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and leadership.
EPISODE QUICK Q&A
Q: What is Nadia Carta's background and how did she end up at Google? A: Nadia Carta started her journey in Sardinia and ended up at Google through an invitation to interview for Google in Dublin in 2001.
Q: What are the differences between working in America and Europe according to Nadia Carta? A: Nadia Carta highlights the more volatile nature of employment in the US, the opportunities for growth, and the openness to change and learning in the American workforce.
Q: What is the importance of having alternative sources of income according to Nadia Carta? A: Nadia Carta emphasises the importance of individuals building their own income sources and having passive income to rely on in case of job loss.
Q: How does Nadia Carta view the impact of AI on traditional jobs? A: Nadia Carta believes that AI is transforming jobs and creating more opportunities for both traditional nine-to-five workers and those seeking alternative sources of income.
Q: How has Nadia Carta used AI to improve her writing skills? A: Nadia Carta mentions experimenting with generative AI, such as chat GBTs, Google bots, Geminis, and Llama, to improve her writing skills.
Q: What is the purpose of Nadia Carta's podcast, "Ninety Nine Humans"? A: Nadia Carta started the podcast to give a voice to leaders willing to talk about the challenges of managing others, particularly targeting middle managers.
Q: What are some key lessons learned from Nadia Carta's interviews with leaders? A: Key lessons include the importance of humility and recognising the need for others, embracing loving candor in leadership, and setting others up for success.
Q: What is the upcoming book and passion project of Nadia Carta? A: Nadia Carta's upcoming book is called "Ninety Nine Humans" and her passion project is Spark Your Zeal, which aims to improve mental health through daily sparks.
Q: How does Nadia Carta emphasise the importance of commitment and discipline? A: Nadia Carta emphasises the need for commitment and daily delivery, stating that discipline is more important than motivation.
Q: What obstacles did Nadia Carta face in her journey to working at Google? A: Nadia Carta faced obstacles such as not having an MBA and struggling with her English skills, but she overcame them to work at Google.
Q: How does Nadia Carta view job security in America compared to Europe. A: Nadia Carta views job security in America as more volatile compared to Europe, where there is more generous severance but higher salaries in the US.
Q: What are the three key lessons for strong leaders according to Nadia Carta's interviews? A: The three key lessons are following intuition, forming the right team and trusting them, and embracing the concept of loving candor.
Q: How does Nadia Carta emphasise the importance of commitment and discipline in achieving goals? A: Nadia Carta emphasises that commitment and discipline are more important than motivation in achieving goals.
