10 Ways to Progress Your Career…………as a Woman!

I admire Madeleine Albright. She moved to Britain from Czechoslovakia as a child, endured the Blitz and went on to become the first woman to serve as US Secretary of State.??

She was revered for paving the way for future women leaders of the world, unlocking the door to the proverbial "good old boys' club" that seemingly stood.?

Thanks, in part to her, times have changed. But as a female CEO, I do get asked for advice from women that want to make it up the career ladder and break the ‘glass ceiling’ that is still perceived to exist.??

The truth is there is no silver bullet. But here’s what I have learnt:?

1. Work hard?

Sounds like a cliché but it’s not. Ultimately, you want the job because you deserve it. It should be a meritocracy and as the saying goes: “the harder you work, the luckier you get”.?

2. Get noticed??

You can’t just work hard and do a good job. You need to demonstrate leadership rather than expertise. If you work in a function or division, put yourself forward for a group project that will give you wider exposure to people you don’t normally work for.??

Not only will this help you build wider skills, but it will help you build a network of allies and sponsors across the business that will support you and talk about you. Unsolicited feedback is the best form of endorsement.?

3. Stay true to yourself?

Choose the right business, the one that is aligned to your moral compass and throw yourself at it.? You can be flexible in your style, but if you have to really change yourself in order to fit into an organisation’s culture or to go up the ladder, then you will not succeed. You will not be you. You will not be at your best and “lukewarm is no good”.???

What you lose when you try to copy someone else is your natural passion and energy. That secret sauce that makes you amazing. Find (or create) a culture where you are allowed to be you, where your strengths are amplified, and your differences celebrated. “Be the first-rate version of you rather than a second- rate version of someone else”.??

4. Accept it’s ok to not know it all?

You are a ‘work in progress’ because we all are! Don’t not apply for the job because you don’t tick ALL of the boxes. No one does. Don’t not ask that question because you are worried about how it may come across.??

Your willingness to learn is what will make you successful and your curiosity will lead to a much better outcome. It’s better to get it right then be seen to be right.??

5. Own your seat and back yourself?

No one did you a favour. It doesn’t work like that. You are where you are because you deserve it. Don’t allow someone’s arrogance to knock your confidence.? Whatever meeting you are at, even if it seems that other people in the room have more powerful personalities or more experience, if you have a point to make, then you need to make it. You need to contribute.??

6. Accept that you can’t have it all?

My personal view is that no one does. You can’t be the best mum, partner, daughter, sister, friend, etc, and be an amazing career woman too. That’s not possible.? Men don’t have it all either.??

But you can have most if not all. So set your boundaries of what you are prepared to compromise on and what is non-negotiable. For me it’s the kids. For others it can be a particular hobby or another personal commitment.? I don’t do school pick-ups and drop-offs but I won’t miss a school event like nativity, sports day etc and I do not negotiate on those.??

I don’t pretend I have a doctor's appointment, I put them in my diary for everyone to see, because it’s normal that I should not be missing out on those events because of work, especially when I give a lot to work. Also find your own way to be part of the school community without it being too time consuming. Find a mum who is organised to tell you what’s going on. Go on the mums’ nights out to build those relationships.? And add you partner to the school WhatsApp group ??.?

7. Build a non-work support network around you and accept help?

The good thing about being at the top is that can afford to pay for help. But also, don’t be too proud to accept help. I used to worry if my mum-in-law came and helped with housework as I would feel guilty for not doing it myself. Now I am just very grateful to accept any help.??

8. Find a way to unwind?

It does not matter what that is- a book, singing in the car, watching bad TV or getting shouted at by a personal trainer. It can just be 10 mins a day of looking out of the window.??

These marginal gains, this ‘you’ time is part of your stress management and success. Most athletes have recovery time after an event. When does yours happen? When do you switch off? It’s an entitlement, it’s not something to feel guilty about.??

9. Get a great mentor?

Find someone a few years ahead of you in their career who has walked in your shoes. Not just someone that’s successful, but someone that you can relate to. So that the support is more realistic and within reach.??

10. Help other women, pass it on?

As Madeleine Albright said: “There is a special place in hell for women who don't support other women”. It’s on all of us to help each other build our wings, recognise the signs and challenges we have experienced ourselves and create a working environment that welcomes, supports and develops more women to be their best version of themselves.??

We can’t complain about inequality, we have a responsibility to drive change at every level.??

My journey has been my journey and not all the above will resonate, but I hope some do. One thing I can honestly say is that you are in the driving seat. Don’t wait till you feel ready to take the next challenge; starting will provide most of all the confidence that you need.??

I look forward to the day when people no longer refer to me as a ‘female CEO’ but I also know that I have a big part to play in making that happen :-)??

?