in terms of your first question, 'how did i go from being a history student to a ceo?'
it beats the heck out of me, as we would say in english. i did not plan to become a ceo. up until fairly recently i never would have dreamed i could become a ceo. how do i manage a lot of technologist when i am not trained in technology myself? first, i have worked around technology my business career, so i know what technology can do. and one of the things i have learned about leadership and management is to know what you know and equally important to know what you do not know. i do not know how to program a computer. but i do know the power that a computer can unlock. so one of my great contributions, i think, as been, not to understand how to make technology, but to understand how to use technology. and i know that there are many many people around me at hp who understand how to make technology.
so i don't need to make that particular contribution, my contribution is to unlock the potential of hp. and also to unlock the potential of people with technology. so knowing what you and knowing what you don't know are very important. and i think as well, successful people, great leaders, just like successful companies -- they know their strengths, they leverage their strengths, but also know how to balance what they don't know, what they are not strong at with other people and other partners.
q: good afternoon carly, its my great honor and privilege to attend you speech. i would like to ask you a question which many girls would be interested in. my question is, as a successful female ceo how do you balance your family life? thank you very much.
a: the truth is, since i have become the ceo of hp, balance is very hard. and my family would tell you that. i have the great fortune to have a family that is