10 Tips from Highly Successful Women
Women’s History Month – Speaker
As a prelude to Women’s History Month, I was invited to moderate a #VivaWomen panel on Navig
ating the Career Labyrinth at Razorfish Atlanta. VivaWomen is a global internal network for the women of Publicis Groupe. The goal is to unlock the full potential of women in the workplace, the marketplace, and the community. This session was billed as a morning of sharing and learning.
Attendees were treated to candid advice from four successful, dynamic executive women. We chatted frankly about career paths, career advice (good and awful) work life balance. Panelists included:
- Sarah Armstrong, Director, Worldwide Agency Operations, The Coca-Cola Company
- Chanda Bell, CEO & Creator of Elf on the Shelf
- Lee Taliaferro Love, VP, Fundraising & Marketing, Care.org
- Tricia Conahan, EVP & CMO, Brookdale Senior Living
As we snapped the post event photo, attendees were buzzing about the session and the takeaways. Here are the top eight takeaways from these amazing and successful leaders for other women:
- Really be clear about what you want and staying true to yourself. When I decided that my good enough was enough, I quit being scared.
- Gain as much knowledge as you can. Learn always. Be as marketable as possible and expand your options. Explore other divisions and ideas.
- Mentors should be subject matter experts and you should have multiple mentors.
- You need to seek out mentors and build advocates. Advocates turn into sponsors. It doesn’t just happen. Think about someone who can help you. Not someone just like you. Find your own champions.
- Sponsors often pick you based on your skill-set, knowledge, and commitment. They know you and your work and will talk about you at the leadership table.
- Rather than trying to balance work/life create two clear lanes. Defining boundaries about where you allow your work to come into your life is very important.
- Have fun in your career. When it’s no longer fun it’s time to change.
- Even if you aren’t planning on leaving its savvy to know recruiters — for market insight and to understand your value
- Authenticity is your greatest asset. Knowing how to self-assess and be the best you IS business acumen.
- Women: lose the guilt. Your children will understand and your best effort is good enough. Quality over quantity. Perfection is an unrealistic ideal.
What would you add to this list?
Invite me to speak at your Women’s History, ERG / BRG, or industry association gathering. Click her for information on keynotes, workshops, and other details.
Jeffery Tobias Halter is president of YWomen, a strategic consulting company focused on creating integrated women’s leadership strategies through male engagement.