The energy never fails to amaze me.
 Whenever I meet with other professional women to discuss the challenges we are still encountering, I am always thrilled by how passionate we all feel about sharing our experience.
I moderated two panels last week. What a wonderful way to take my mind off volcanoes and their ashes…
On Wednesday, I discussed women in communication at the Simply Summit. The panellists were Christina Fee, Head of Internal Communications at BBC Technology, Sandra Macleod, Group CEO of Echo Research, Bieneosa Ebite, Managing Director of Bright Star Public Relations and Nicola Stevens, Executive Coach and former President of City Women’s Network.
Women make up 50% of the workforce in North America and Europe. Two thirds of all employees working in corporate communications are women, but director positions are still held mostly by men.
My panel the evening before on women’s economic empowerment at Chicago Booth School of Business brought together three European-based winners of the 2009 TIAW World of Difference 100 Awards: Kate Grussing, founder and managing director of headhunting firm Sapphire Partners, Mei Sim Lai OBE, founder and principal of chartered accountants LaiPeters & Co and Roswyn Hakesley-Brown CBE, Chair of the Patients Association and former President of the Royal College of Nursing.
Here are the main lessons I learned from these conversations:
• We already have plenty of data about the impact of the female economy (80% of all purchase decisions are made by women, etc.). We now need different arguments to build a stronger business case for women in leadership.
• Celebrate your individuality. Don’t try to be someone you are not.
• Be less modest. Let people know about the good things you have done.
• Stay in the corporate game but at your own terms. Instinct, guts and tenacity will get you there.
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