Conclusion
At this very moment, you have everything you need to take a leap—your strengths, talents, intuition, imperfections—all of your different parts. Trust your impulse to make a difference—to speak up and introduce an idea or to go for a bigger position.
Keep moving forward even though mad mind-chatter may be telling you to hold back. Don’t accept that negative self-talk as truth. Question it. The truth is that you are talented beyond measure, and the time for personal change is now. The world needs every bit of your resourcefulness.
These last pages will help prepare you to step up in a new way. Let the inspiring words of these risk-taking leaders support you. They took action even when they felt shaky, and each of them is better off for it. I encourage you to do the same.
“Trust that you are ready.”
Debbie Storey, Chief Diversity Officer of AT&T
If you’re asked to do a stretch assignment, go for it even if you don’t feel ready. If your supervisor thinks you can do it, trust her judgment.
There were times in my career where I was given a job and I felt sick to my stomach. I thought, I do not have any knowledge that will allow me to succeed in this job. On one occasion, there were forty people around the table, the smartest people in the business, who had been managing the operation for thirty years. I kept thinking, I’m sitting at the head of the table and I have to solve this problem. What helped me get through it was that I told myself, “My managers would not have put me here if they did not think I could do it.”
I went home that night and realized I was brought here because of my set of skills. I told myself, “Go back to those skills that you know you do well, and do it here.”
“Mentally promote yourself.”
Kathy Waller, Chief Financial Officer of Coca-Cola
Changing the way you behave can be difficult as you advance. Give yourself permission to show up as a leader with power and presence.
When you get a promotion and you find yourself at a different level in the organization, you have to respond, act, and react differently in line with the new expectations. You have to mentally promote yourself to that next level.
“Ride the wave.”
Jackie Hernández, Chief Operating Officer of Telemundo
When you’re in charge of a demanding project, you can pull back out of fear or you can grow into your new responsibilities and learn from the experience.
My dad told me to face my fears and dive in. Toward the end of his life, he became very ill, and we would talk about work. One time he brought up the beach to make his point. He said, “You have to ride the wave or else it’ll knock you over.” That was a great piece of advice.
“Be open, but know your guardrails.”
Kathy Murphy, President of Fidelity Personal Investing
You have to be willing to try new things. You also have to know where you stand and what you will not accept.
Be open to new assignments—it’s the only way to grow. But you need guardrails—you need to know the things you want to do and things for which you have absolutely no interest or passion.
In a previous company, I was asked to consider leading technology and operations, but it would have separated me from serving our customers, which is my passion. I knew I could add much more value in a job that was more closely tied to getting results for them. I quickly declined that job and have never looked back!
“Give feedback; it is a gift.”
Jill Campbell, Chief Operations Officer of Cox Communications
Giving feedback is a way of paying it forward. Feedback can mean the difference between a person’s advancement or derailment.
Even if it’s not something the other person wants to hear, you’re doing it because you want the individual to develop. You are not giving it from a point of meanness, but a place of respect.
“Pick your battles wisely.”
Charisse Lillie, Vice President of Community Investment of Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation
Every battle does not have to be fought. Every argument is not worth winning.
You have to figure out which ones are important enough for you to take a stand. Take those two or three and really stick with them. Have a plan and then execute on that plan.
“Know your audience.”
Sandra Dewey, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Affairs, Turner Entertainment Networks and Cartoon Network Originals
In order to get your ideas across you need to know where other people are coming from.
You have to get into the mind of your bosses or your junior people—whether you’re talking to a group or having an intimate conversation. The more you practice this, the more effective you’re going to be.
“Let your passion lead you.”
Kim Lubel, Chief Executive Officer of CST Brands
Being excited about what you do is what differentiates a dynamic career from an unfulfilling one.
Don’t look for opportunities just to move up a ladder. You want to be passionate about what you do. I tell my daughters this all the time, “You need to love what you do; if you don’t, you’re not going to be successful. It’s just going to be a job.” We spend too many hours at work for it not to be a passion.
“Keep good company.”
Helene Lerner
It’s important to have women in your life who support and honor your growth. Many of you may already have this, but if not, I encourage you to reach out to new people and mobilize that support for yourself. Gather a few women to discuss the ideas you’ve read in this book and do some of our exercises. You want to encourage each other to think bigger and take some smart risks. You’ll find a lot of tools on my website (http://www.WomenWorking.com/). And use our social media pages for contacts and inspiration (WomenWorking.com on Facebook, @WomenWorking on Twitter, and the WomenWorking group on LinkedIn).
Power tools
• Fear can be your ally.
Take the initiative to speak up, even if you are shaky. What you’re advocating for is more important than your fear. Come from a position of service. Act as if you can do it and you will be able to. Remember our new take on confidence: acknowledging fear and moving forward anyway.
• Leadership presence is attainable.
Pay attention to what women at higher levels say and do—adapt their styles to what works for you. Dress the part, be self-aware, understand your audience, artfully listen, and maintain composure.
• The truth will catapult your growth.
Feedback helps you advance. Use your intuition to discriminate between what is useful and what is not. Ask for feedback if you’re not getting it.
• Saying no can be a good thing.
Create power parameters to keep you focused on important tasks. Protect your time, set boundaries, and make your no someone else’s yes.
• Alliances with power players are mutually beneficial.
Take every opportunity to make yourself visible to the power players around you. Be strategic and see how your skills and expertise can be useful to a higher-up you want to work with. Build a relationship with a sponsor based on mutual benefit and trust.
• Intuition is your edge.
When you follow your inner compass, you feel more confident taking the smart risks necessary to advance professionally. Listen to your inner voice and use it to help you make better business decisions that benefit you, the people you serve, and your company.