Four Life Lessons From My Female Role Models #IWD2024

A career in HR has its perks. I’ve had the privilege of observing numerous inspiring women over the years. Their journeys have not only illuminated the path for their own success but have also provided invaluable insights into how women can flourish in professional environments.

With International Women's Day on the horizon, I find this a fitting moment to reflect on the stories of the many gifted and capable female leaders I've had the opportunity to meet and learn from.

While the names in this article have been changed to ensure the privacy of the individuals involved, the experiences shared and the lessons derived from them are genuine. Hope you enjoy these stories!

Be bold, make a splash — Janine’s story

Boldness is not merely a trait; it’s a mindset — a way of navigating the professional landscape with confidence and conviction.

I vividly remember my first job out of university, wide-eyed and eager to make a difference. Janine was the head of the function, she pitched compelling visions for the future of our function with boundless energy and unwavering determination. Her mind was bursting with ideas, and her eyes radiated clarity and purpose. She made it a point to ensure that everyone felt included in the exciting journey she was painting for us.

What set Janine apart was her willingness to share her bold plans openly and rally the team around them. She wasn’t afraid of failure; instead, she saw it as a natural part of the process. By bringing our customers into team meetings, she showed us first-hand whose lives our work was impacting, fostering a solid sense of purpose within the team.

Janine’s boldness extended beyond mere words; it was evident in her actions. She stepped into every room with purpose, unafraid to voice her opinions, champion causes she believed in, and challenge the status quo. Her fearlessness inspired those around her to embrace risk, push boundaries, and dream big.

Despite the inevitable backlash she faced from more conservative quarters, Janine remained undeterred. She understood that building a strong personal brand often invites criticism, but she refused to let it dampen her spirit. Instead, she introduced us to the wisdom of Brené Brown, whose famous reference to the Roosevelt quote:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.… — Theodore Roosevelt”

In Janine, I found a role model who embodied the essence of bold leadership. She taught me that success often lies just beyond the comfort zone — that to make a real impact, one must be willing to disrupt the norm and dare to dream boldly.

You CAN have it all — Nadia’s story

Self-limiting beliefs are like corsets of old, constraining our movements and influencing decision-making without leaving a visible trace. I used to harbour many such beliefs until I witnessed Nadia’s remarkable journey, which challenged the zero-sum-game narrative I’d been taught about life and career.

Nadia managed a team of over 50 while raising young children as an expat in a foreign country. Despite her demanding responsibilities, she showed up every day with high energy, made time to listen to her team and rolled up her sleeves to help when needed. What truly impressed me was her commitment to personal well-being and continuous learning, even amidst her busy schedule. It’s not surprising that she earned a masters degree while managing all her personal and career demands, what an inspiration!

In conversations with Nadia, she revealed her secret: prioritising personal well-being was the linchpin to her career success. By taking care of herself and prioritising the values important to her, she found that other aspects of her life flourished as well.

Nadia shattered the antiquated notion that women must choose between a successful career and a fulfilling personal life. She exemplified that it’s possible to excel in both domains. She showed that success isn’t confined to the boardroom but extends to every facet of life. As a devoted mother, caring partner, and engaged community member, she thrived in all her roles, proving the boundless capacity of women to excel in every sphere of life.

Nadia’s journey taught me that by prioritising self-care and embracing a holistic approach to success, women can break free from self-limiting beliefs and achieve remarkable feats in both their professional and personal lives.

Turning underestimation into opportunity— Anna’s Story

When people underestimate you, can that become your superpower?

Anna certainly believes so, and her story is the perfect testament of this superpower. I remember the story she shared about a negotiation for a contract. The supplier mistook her for a secretary and casually asked her to fetch coffee for everyone. Instead of feeling offended or making a scene, Anna smiled and graciously fulfilled the request. When the truth was revealed, the supplier was overcome with shame and embarrassment, Anna was able to get favourable terms without the need of lengthy discussions and debates. Through keeping her cool and leveraging others’ biased behaviour, Anna had effectively turned a potentially difficult negotiation into a breeze.

In our discussions about injustice and inequality, we often overlook the potential benefits that biases can bring. Like many others, I used to be too proud to capitalise on any natural advantages my disadvantages might offer, influenced by the belief instilled in me during my upbringing: that hard work is virtuous and ‘shortcuts’ are unacceptable.

In a world where minorities are frequently marginalised and underestimated, it’s easy to succumb to the victim narrative — to focus solely on the challenges and injustices we face. However, the female leaders I admire refuse to let themselves be defined by their circumstances. Instead of dwelling on barriers, they break through them with unwavering determination and resilience. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean they ignore the systemic and structural barriers women face.

These women teach me the power of owning my narrative and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth. They refuse to let adversity hold them back, choosing instead to harness their experiences as fuel for success. By embracing vulnerability and sharing their stories, they inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and resilience throughout the community.

Know when to leave the party — Claire and Miriam’s stories

In the world of business, the stories of accomplished female leaders often paint a picture of resilience, perseverance, and eventual triumph over adversity. These exceptional women navigate through challenging environments, fearlessly confronting obstacles in male-dominated arenas, and ultimately rise to the summits of corporate structures.

Yet, amidst the acclaim they receive, there remains a noticeable absence of narratives that celebrate women simply for daring to chase their dreams. This gap may stem from society’s entrenched definition of ‘success,’ which heavily weighs metrics like salary, status, and power.

It was through the journeys of Claire and Miriam that I learned valuable lessons. Claire, a cherished mentor, made the bold choice to transition from her role as a senior executive overseeing global teams to starting her own business. Similarly, Miriam embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery, transitioning from her prestigious position as a management consultant/organisational psychologist to wholeheartedly embrace her passion as a professional interior designer.

What distinguishes Claire and Miriam’s stories is the revelation of their true callings after achieving professional success — a timely reminder of the importance of introspection and authenticity in the pursuit of fulfilment. Their decision to bid farewell to the familiar and embark on new beginnings underscores their unwavering courage and determination.

In the midst of the relentless hustle culture that often consumes ambitious individuals, Claire and Miriam serve as guiding lights, emphasising the crucial nature of recognising when to step back and prioritise what they want before the environments change what they want.

Conclusion

The lessons I’ve learned from my female role models over the years ranges from being brave, leveraging setbacks, pursuing what really matters and taking care of ourselves. These stories encourage us to be true to ourselves, define success in our own way and go after what we’re passionate about with determination. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I thank these inspiring women sincerely and continue to keep their lessons close to my heart everyday.

While the ideas in this article are original, this article is written with the help of GenAI tools to correct grammar and improve content structures.

#IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay #InspirationalWomen #BreakingBarriers #CareerJourney #PersonalGrowth #womeninbusiness #womenintech